Massacre of the Innocents

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BnF MS Gr510 folio 137 recto - detail - Herod orders the Massacre of the Innocents; the Flight of Elizabeth; the martyrdom of Zachariah

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Giotto di Bondone - No. 21 Scenes from the Life of Christ - 5. Massacre of the Innocents -

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Massacre of the Innocents refers to a biblical event described in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 2:16–18), in which Herod the Great, king of Judea, orders the execution of all male children two years old and under in the vicinity of Bethlehem. The aim was to kill the newborn Jesus of Nazareth, whom Herod considered a threat to his throne. This event is commemorated in the Christian liturgical calendar on December 28th and has been depicted by numerous artists throughout history.

Biblical Account

According to the Gospel of Matthew, after the birth of Jesus, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem, asking where the "one who has been born king of the Jews" was, as they had seen his star and came to worship him. Herod, disturbed by this and seeing a potential rival in the newborn king, asked the Magi to find the child and report back to him. After their visit to Jesus, the Magi were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, and they went back to their country by another route. When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he ordered the massacre in Bethlehem and its surroundings of all boys two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi. This event is said to fulfill the prophecy of Jeremiah: "A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more."

Historicity

The historicity of the Massacre of the Innocents has been the subject of debate among scholars. While the event is described in the Gospel of Matthew, it is not mentioned in other contemporary sources, including the works of Flavius Josephus, who chronicled many of Herod's atrocities. Some historians consider the massacre a literary creation by the author of Matthew's Gospel, aimed at drawing parallels between Jesus and Moses, and fulfilling Old Testament prophecies. Others argue that given Herod's well-documented paranoia and ruthlessness, such an act would be in character, but perhaps too small in scale to be noted by historians of the time.

Cultural Impact

The Massacre of the Innocents has had a significant impact on Christian art and literature. It has been depicted by numerous artists, including Peter Paul Rubens, Giotto, and Matthias Grünewald, often highlighting the tragedy and innocence of the victims. These artworks serve as a poignant reminder of the cruelty of Herod's reign and the suffering of the innocents throughout history.

Commemoration

In the Christian liturgical calendar, the Massacre of the Innocents is commemorated on December 28th. It is a day of mourning and remembrance for the victims of not only this event but also for all children who have suffered violence throughout the ages.

See Also

• Flight into Egypt
• Herod the Great
• Gospel of Matthew

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