Murderous Anger
"[Herod] 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...." - Matthew 2:16b
Herod was troubled at the Wise Men's appearance. Matthew added the mysterious words, "and all Jerusalem [was troubled] with him." Why were the people of Jerusalem troubled? Because they were terrified by Herod's impulsive moods. They knew all too well what happened when Herod was troubled.
The king had married 10 different women, but his favorite wife was named Marianne. He was so jealous of her he twice ordered her to be killed if he failed to return from a dangerous mission. That way he could be sure no other man would ever have her. In time he became suspicious of her and had her executed anyway, as well as her brother, her grandfather, her mother and the two sons he had by her. With a sick history like that, it isn't too surprising that Herod had no qualms about executing Bethlehem's young boys--just as long as it meant the death of a rival King of the Jews.
It is strange but Jesus Christ, the mighty Son of God, came into the world He had created, but that world rejected Him...and still does. Like Herod we want to live our lives on our own terms--not on His. Yet Jesus still came into our world despite our rejection, and permitted Himself to be nailed to a cross to suffer and die for our sins so that all who repent of their sins and turn to Him may receive forgiveness and eternal life. - Lutheran Hour Ministries, 2010