From the Events of History
Herod at the Nativity
and Herod the Slayer of John the Baptist
In answer to a question on this subject sent by the student Abdo Khalil Mikhail from Qalyubia:
The Herod who lived during the birth of the Lord Christ died while Christ was still a child, as evidenced by the angel’s words to Joseph in a dream:
“Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead.” So he arose and took the young Child and His mother (Matt. 2:20–21).
Notice here that the Scripture mentions the expression “the young Child” three times, indicating Christ’s age at the time of His return from Egypt.
It is well known that the Lord Christ visited the Temple in Jerusalem when He was twelve years old (Luke 2:42).
Therefore, He returned from Egypt before that time (perhaps at about the age of six).
As for the Herod who killed John the Baptist (more than thirty years after the Nativity), he was a different person.
An article by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, published in El-Keraza Magazine, Year Eight, Issue Fifty-One, December 23, 1977.
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