Question from a Site Viewer
Were a bunch of children killed at the time of Jesus’ birth? I doubt it. First, there is nothing to support that a massive amount of children were slaughtered during that time; no other record of such an event exists that we know about. Second, fear can make people do dumb things. The fact that this wacko murdered babies was not alone a sign that Jesus was the Messiah.
Prophecy in Question:
Thus says the LORD:
“A voice was heard in Ramah,
Lamentation and bitter weeping,
Rachel weeping for her children,
Refusing to be comforted for her children,
Because they are no more.”
Jeremiah 31:15 (NKJ)
Fulfillment
Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying:“A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, Refusing to be comforted, Because they are no more.”
Matthew 2:16-18
Tim’s Answer
With respect to the killing of the babies, the killing by itself does not demonstrate that Jesus is the Messiah, as you state. Rather, it is simply another event that fits with an old prophesy. In fact, all of the life of Jesus could simply be seen as events that fit with ancient prophesy. Many of them may not seem significant by themselves, but when added together they quickly become compelling enough to force the question: Who is Jesus?”
The fact that there is no external evidence of this slaughter means nothing. There is no external evidence of many ancient events other than single accounts by certain authors. There is no evidence that Abraham existed except for the Bible. Does this mean that he did not exist? We know about the ancient Greek world through Homer. Should we doubt Homer? Matthew records a slaughter of the innocents. His testimony, like other accounts of ancient history, must either be accepted or rejected. It is your choice.
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