MAT 2:16-18

Weeping and Great Mourning

16Then Herod, having seen that he had been outwitted by the Magi, was enraged intensely, and having sent forth he executed all the boys in Bethlehem and in all its borders, from two years old and under, according to the time he had ascertained from the Magi. [2:17] Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying: [2:18] "A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation and great wailing — Rachel wailing for her children, and she would not be comforted, because they are no more, they are no more."

In the world it was spoken into

In the 1st century, Herod’s violent response to being outwitted by the Magi reflects the precarious nature of his rule. Herod, a client king under Roman authority, relied on maintaining control through fear and brutality to secure his position. The massacre of infants in Bethlehem and its surrounding regions would have been understood as a calculated act of terror, typical of Herod’s reputation for eliminating perceived threats. The reference to Rachel weeping for her children evokes Jeremiah’s prophecy (Jeremiah 31:15), connecting this event to Israel’s collective memory of exile and loss. For Jewish listeners, this would resonate deeply, as Rachel symbolized maternal grief and the suffering of the nation. The use of (loud lamentation) and (weeping) underscores the communal and public nature of mourning, a cultural practice where grief was expressed openly and vocally. This act of violence would have been seen as both a political maneuver and a profound tragedy, echoing the historical trauma of Israel.

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How other translations render this

MAT 2:16

KJV: Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
BSB: When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi.
Koinōnos: Then Herod, having seen that he had been outwitted by the Magi, was enraged intensely, and having sent forth he executed all the boys in Bethlehem and in all its borders, from two years old and under, according to the time he had ascertained from the Magi.

MAT 2:17

KJV: Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,
BSB: Then what was spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:
Koinōnos: Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying:

MAT 2:18

KJV: In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
BSB: “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”
Koinōnos: A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation and great wailing — Rachel wailing for her children, and she would not be comforted, because they are no more, they are no more.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

MAT 2:16

he had been outwitted:The word translated 'he had been outwitted' carries the strong sense of being mocked, ridiculed, or made a fool of, implying a deliberate act of deception and scorn.
he executed:The term used here for 'he executed' is a direct and unambiguous word for killing or putting to death, often with a sense of violent removal.
vicinity:The word translated 'vicinity' refers more specifically to the defined boundaries or borders of a region, rather than just a general area around a place.

MAT 2:18

weeping:The word translated 'weeping' denotes a deep, audible lamentation or wailing, often associated with intense grief and mourning.