17 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:
17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,
17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:
17 That's when Jeremiah's sermon was fulfilled:
17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying:
17 Herod's brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 2:17
Commentary on Matthew 2:16-18
(Read Matthew 2:16-18)
Herod killed all the male children, not only in Bethlehem, but in all the villages of that city. Unbridled wrath, armed with an unlawful power, often carries men to absurd cruelties. It was no unrighteous thing with God to permit this; every life is forfeited to his justice as soon as it begins. The diseases and deaths of little children are proofs of original sin. But the murder of these infants was their martyrdom. How early did persecution against Christ and his kingdom begin! Herod now thought that he had baffled the Old Testament prophecies, and the efforts of the wise men in finding Christ; but whatever crafty, cruel devices are in men's hearts, the counsel of the Lord shall stand.