The Christmas Story Most People Never Tell: Herod’s Paranoid Violence and God’s Redeeming Power

It is the one story in the Gospels that is almost always ignored, especially at Christmas, exactly when it should be told. Mary’s cries in labor to give birth would soon be answered by the cries of Bethlehem’s grieving mothers mourning their slaughtered sons. In time, Mary, too, would mourn her son’s death under yet another Herod.

The story of King Herod's massacre of the infant boys in Bethlehem, as recorded in Matthew 2:16–18, is one of the most chilling episodes in the New Testament. Most Christians are vaguely aware of it, but unless they are among those who read the entire Gospel rather than verses or paragraphs set apart in devotionals, they never really consider it. I’ve never heard a sermon on it, though I have preached it on rare occasions.

This tragic event, in which Herod ordered the slaughter of all male children two years old and under in Bethlehem, offers a stark glimpse into the depths of human depravity and the cost of unchecked power. It also speaks to profound theological truths about tyranny, suffering, providence, and redemption.

To fully grasp the gravity of Herod’s actions, it is vital to understand the man himself, the dynasty from which he came, and the Herodian legacy of violence. Known as "Herod the Great," he was a ruler under Roman authority, famous for his political cunning, vast building projects, and merciless disposition. According to the Jewish historian Josephus, Herod’s reign was marked by paranoia and brutality, including the murder of several of his family members. He executed forty-five members of the Sanhedrin and arranged for the murder of many Jewish Priests upon his death so the city would be filled with mourning, even if it wasn’t for him.

His dynasty, the Herodians, would become infamous for their alignment with Rome and persecution of Jesus and his followers. This King Herod sought to murder Jesus in his infancy. His son, Herod Philip, whom Jesus called “that fox,” reigned when Jesus was executed on the cross. His grandson had the Apostle James put to death and would’ve killed Peter, but for divine intervention, swiftly followed by divine judgment on Herod (see Acts 12). Paul appeared before his great-grandson, Herod Agrippa (Acts 26), and recounted his testimony of Jesus’ appearing to him, arguing for Jesus as the Messiah promised by the prophets. Given the Herodian bloodlust, Paul might have easily thought this was his final opportunity to proclaim the gospel - and he did so boldly (see Acts 26).

Herod's massacre of the innocents serves as a dark backdrop to the infancy of Christ, underscoring the harsh realities of life under tyranny and the promise of salvation. When seen through the lens of Christian theology, the event sheds light on three critical aspects of the faith: the nature of tyranny, the meaning of suffering and martyrdom, and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in Christ.

Herod’s Tyranny and the Violence of Power

Herod's massacre in Bethlehem was an act of calculated political violence. Upon hearing from the Magi that a new "king of the Jews" had been born, Herod feared losing his throne. His paranoia drove him to commit one of the most heinous acts recorded in the Bible: the slaughter of Bethlehem’s sons. This massacre typifies the worst abuses of state power, where rulers, in their thirst for control, sacrifice the innocent to preserve their status.

Christians note that Herod’s willingness to destroy lives for personal gain reveals the destructive potential of unchecked authority. This narrative reminds Christians to resist the dehumanization and exploitation of the vulnerable, particularly children, by political or institutional powers. The massacre stands as a stark contrast to the reign of Christ, whose kingdom is built not on domination but on servanthood and love. He placed children at the center of his teaching on God’s kingdom.

Jesus as Refugee: A Lesson in Suffering and Martyrdom

In the wake of Herod's decree, Joseph, Mary, and the infant Jesus fled to Egypt, making Jesus one of history's most famous refugees. This flight underscores an essential truth of the Incarnation: the Son of God entered fully into the human experience, including its dangers and vulnerabilities. Jesus’ refugee status reflects the suffering of countless displaced families throughout history, including those who have fled violence, persecution, and oppression.

The horrifying slaughter of the innocents also foreshadows the suffering and martyrdom that would characterize the lives of many who follow Christ. These innocent children, often called the "Holy Innocents" in Christian tradition, are remembered as the first martyrs of the faith, and their suffering is commemorated every December 28th. Their deaths point to a central paradox of Christianity: that suffering and death, when united with Christ, are not meaningless but redemptive.

In the face of suffering, Christians are called to find solidarity with the oppressed and trust God’s ultimate justice. We remember the prisoner, welcome the stranger, and look for the face of Jesus in all rejected and abused by the powers of the day. Jesus’ suffering, beginning in his infancy and culminating in his death on the cross, demonstrates that God is not distant from human pain but enters into it, transforming it into the means of salvation. The massacre in Bethlehem, therefore, is not only a tragedy but also a reminder of the hope that lies beyond suffering—a hope embodied in the risen Christ.

Fulfillment of Prophecy: Jesus Living the Israel Story

Matthew’s Gospel presents Jesus’ flight to Egypt and subsequent return as the fulfillment of Hosea 11:1: "Out of Egypt I called my son." This reference is deeply significant, as it ties Jesus' life to the broader narrative of Israel's history and God's redemptive plan.

Hosea’s original prophecy recalled Israel’s exodus from Egypt, where God called his "son" (Israel) out of slavery and into the Promised Land. By applying this prophecy to Jesus, Matthew reveals that Jesus is living out the story of Israel, that he embodies it as God’s “son,” the word God used to describe his captive people in Egypt. Just as Israel was called out of Egypt to be God’s chosen people, Jesus was called out of Egypt as God’s elect Son to fulfill God’s ultimate plan for redemption.

This parallel also emphasizes Jesus’ role as a new and greater Joseph and Moses. Like Joseph, Jesus was taken to Egypt to escape death; like Moses, he would deliver his people from the bondage of sin. Furthermore, Jesus’ return from Egypt echoes the exodus, symbolizing a new beginning for God’s people. In Christ, the failed mission of Israel finds its fulfillment: he embodies perfect obedience and brings about the ultimate liberation from sin and death.

The Christian Response to the Slaughter of the Innocents

The massacre of the innocents continues to resonate in a world plagued by violence against children. From child soldiers to victims of human trafficking and unbridled abortion, the suffering of the youngest and most vulnerable members of society remains a stark reminder of the pervasive effects of sin. For Christians, this reality calls for both lamentation and action.

The story invites Christians to lament the loss of innocence and to grieve with those who suffer. In the face of unspeakable evil, such as Herod’s massacre or modern atrocities, lamentation is not an expression of despair but a recognition of the brokenness of the world and a cry for God’s intervention. We weep with those who weep for, as David Gibson has observed, the smallest coffins are the heaviest to bear.

Second, the story challenges Christians to actively oppose systems of violence and oppression, particularly those that target children. Jesus’ identification with the oppressed calls his followers to stand against injustice and work for the vulnerable's protection and flourishing.

Thirdly, we should recall that Christ’s coming was not met with joy but with violent opposition (Revelation 12 also makes this vital connection). This remains the case in many places and with many people, whether powerful political leaders or behind-the-scenes influencers and gatekeepers of what is deemed acceptable. We must not be afraid or surprised by such opposition, and we must pray for Christians around the world who face terrible persecution for their faith. Whether it rises from atheism in China and N Korea or a religious impulse in Nigeria, India, or any number of Islamic-dominated states, these brothers and sisters need our prayers to support them in their sorrows.

Finally, the story reminds Christians of the hope found in Christ. Even in the midst of suffering and evil, God’s redemptive purposes cannot be thwarted. The flight to Egypt and the return to Nazareth demonstrate that God is sovereign over history, using even the wickedness of Herod to fulfill his plan of salvation.

Hope Amid Horror

The massacre of the innocents is one of the darkest episodes in the Gospel narrative, yet it is not without hope. It reveals the depths of human sinfulness and the lengths to which God will go to redeem his people. Herod’s cruelty contrasts sharply with the humility and love of Christ, whose kingdom is not of this world but transcends it.

For Christians, the story speaks to the reality of tyranny, the redemptive power of suffering, and the faithfulness of God in fulfilling his promises. It challenges believers to resist injustice, to find hope in the midst of suffering, and to trust in the ultimate triumph of God’s kingdom—a kingdom that was inaugurated by a child who fled from a tyrant and returned to fulfill the words of the prophets.

In Christ, even the horrors of Herod’s reign are not the end of the story. They are part of a greater narrative of redemption, in which God calls his Son—and all who follow him—out of darkness and into his marvelous light. And that’s a