King Herod and the Birth of Jesus
The birth of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Gospels, is not only a theological milestone but also a historical event that intersected with the reign of a powerful and paranoid ruler: Herod the Great. The Gospel of Matthew provides the most detailed account of Herod’s involvement in the nativity narrative, revealing a ruler deeply disturbed by the announcement of a rival king. This article explores the biblical accounts of Herod and the birth of Jesus, examines the prophetic background, and addresses key historical questions surrounding the timing of Herod’s death in relation to Jesus’ birth.
Historical and Political Context of Herod the Great
Herod the Great was appointed “king of the Jews” by the Roman Senate in 40 BC and ruled Judea under Roman authority until his death, which most scholars place around 4 BC. Though not ethnically Jewish–he was an Idumean–Herod sought to legitimize his rule through massive building projects, including the renovation of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, and by aligning himself with Roman power. Despite his political savvy, Herod was notoriously insecure and ruthless, known for executing members of his own family whom he suspected of disloyalty.
This background is essential for understanding Herod’s reaction to the news of Jesus’ birth. The Gospel of Matthew presents Herod as a man who perceived the birth of the Messiah not as a spiritual event, but as a political threat to his throne.
The Magi and the Troubled King
Matthew 2 opens with the arrival of wise men (Greek: magoi) from the East who came to Jerusalem seeking the newborn “king of the Jews.” They asked, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him” (Matthew 2:2). This inquiry immediately unsettled Herod. Matthew records, “When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him” (Matthew 2:3).
Herod’s distress was not merely personal; it reflected the political instability that any claim to kingship could provoke. As a ruler who had fought hard to secure his position, Herod viewed any potential rival–especially one with messianic implications–as a direct threat. The phrase “all Jerusalem with him” suggests that the city’s elite, who benefited from Herod’s rule, also feared the disruption that a new claimant to the throne might bring.
Herod’s response was calculated. He summoned the chief priests and scribes to inquire where the Christ was born. They answered by citing the prophecy of Micah 5:2: “And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel” (Matthew 2:6). This Old Testament prophecy had long been understood as pointing to [Bethlehem, the birthplace of the Messiah](birth-of-the-savior/why-was-jesus-born-in bethlehem/), a descendant of David who would rule over Israel.
Feigning interest in worshiping the child, Herod instructed the magi (wise men) to search diligently for him and report back. However, after finding Jesus and offering their gifts, the magi were warned in a dream not to return to Herod and departed by another route (Matthew 2:12).
The Slaughter of the Innocents
Realizing that he had been deceived by the magi, Herod’s paranoia turned violent. Matthew records, “Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men” (Matthew 2:16).
This tragic event, often referred to as the “Massacre of the Innocents,” is not recorded in other historical sources, but it is consistent with Herod’s known character. His willingness to eliminate perceived threats, even within his own family, lends credibility to Matthew’s account. The slaughter fulfilled a prophecy from Jeremiah 31:15, which Matthew cites: “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more” (Matthew 2:18).
The Flight to Egypt and Return to Nazareth
Before Herod could carry out his plan, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, warning him to [flee to Egypt with Mary and the child](birth-of-the-savior/joseph-mary-and-jesus-escape-to egypt/). Joseph obeyed immediately, and the family remained in Egypt until Herod’s death (Matthew 2:13-15). Matthew sees this as a fulfillment of Hosea 11:1: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
After King Herod died, another angelic message directed Joseph to return to Israel. However, learning that Herod’s son Archelaus was reigning in Judea, Joseph withdrew to Galilee and settled in Nazareth. This fulfilled what was spoken by the prophets: “He shall be called a Nazarene” (Matthew 2:23, ESV).
Was Jesus Born After the Death of Herod the Great?
This question has generated much scholarly discussion. The Gospel of Matthew clearly places Jesus’ birth during the reign of Herod the Great (Matthew 2:1). Since Herod died in 4 BC, Jesus must have been born before that date. This means that the traditional dating of Jesus’ birth at 1 BC or AD 1 is likely incorrect. A more accurate estimate would place Jesus’ birth about 6 BC.
The Gospel of Luke also supports this timeframe, though it introduces additional chronological considerations. Luke 2:1-2 mentions a census during the time of Quirinius, governor of Syria. Quirinius is known to have conducted a census in about 7 BC in an administrative role before he took on the actual title of “governor of Syria.” Although scholars debate the timing details of the census, both Gospels agree that Jesus was born during Herod’s lifetime, not after his death.
How Long Between Jesus’ Birth and Herod’s Death?
Matthew 2:16 indicates that Herod ordered the killing of boys two years old and under, based on the time he had learned from the magi. This suggests that Jesus may have been up to two years old at the time of the massacre. If Herod died in 4 BC, and if Jesus was born around 6 BC, then the time between Jesus’ birth and Herod’s death would be approximately two years.
This timeline aligns with the narrative flow of Matthew’s Gospel: Jesus is born, the magi visit sometime later, Herod reacts, and the family flees to Egypt. They remain there until Herod’s death, after which they return to Israel.
Why Was Herod So Upset About the Birth of Jesus?
King Herod’s reaction to the birth of Jesus was driven by fear and insecurity. As a ruler who had clawed his way to power and maintained it through political alliances and brutal suppression of dissent, Herod could not tolerate the idea of a legitimate “king of the Jews” being born under his watch. The title itself–used by the magi–was politically charged. Herod had been granted that very title by Rome, and any rival claim, especially one rooted in Jewish messianic expectation, was a direct challenge to his authority.
Moreover, Herod was not a descendant of David, and his Idumean heritage made him an outsider in the eyes of many Jews. The prophecy cited by the chief priests and scribes (Micah 5:2) pointed to a ruler from Bethlehem, the city of David. This would have only intensified Herod’s alarm and paranoia, as it suggested a divinely appointed king with legitimate Davidic lineage.
Conclusion
The biblical account of King Herod and the birth of Jesus reveals a profound clash between earthly power and divine purpose. Herod the Great, a king obsessed with control, sought to destroy the one born to be the true king–not only of the Jews but of all nations. His violent response to the news of Jesus’ birth underscores the threat that the kingdom of God poses to worldly empires built on fear and self-preservation.
Yet, in the midst of political turmoil and human cruelty, God’s plan unfolded exactly as foretold. The Messiah was born in Bethlehem, preserved from Herod’s wrath, and raised in Nazareth, fulfilling the words of the prophets. As Isaiah had prophesied centuries earlier, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder” (Isaiah 9:6). Herod’s kingdom has long since crumbled, but the kingdom of Christ endures forever.