Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 2:16

16 Then Herod when he saw he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth and sent forth, and slew all the Children which were in Bethlehem, and in all the Coasts thereof from two years old and under▪ according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.

Herod now expounds what he meant by his coming and Worshipping Christ also, which he talked of v. 8. When he saw that he was mocked, &c. really mocked by their coming no more to him, not that they used any mocking Language, or designed by their Actions to deceive him, but Probably intended to have gone back according to his Desire, but that they were otherwise admonished by God in a Dream. [He was exceeding wroth] as great Persons use to be when they see any great Design, they have, frustrated by their Inferiors [and sent forth and slew all the Children in Bethlehem, and in the Coasts thereof from two years old, and under] he sent forth Soldiers, or Executioners and slew all the Children, there is a Tradition that amongst them he [illegible: 1 letter]lew his own Son, and that Augustus Caesar hearing it▪ should say, It was better to be Herods Hog than his Child, because the Iews will eat no Swines flesh. Others say this is but a Fable, for his Son died very few days before himself, from two years old and under. If we take these words as they seem to sound, they would incline us to think that Christ was near two years old before the Wise Men came, but some very learned Men think they came within a year or little more, and that the term we translate two years old, signifieth Persons that had never so little entred upon the second year of their Age: So as if a Child were but a year and a Week old, he was Properly enough called [non-Latin text not transcribed], one of two years old, that is who had began his second year. Hence they think that the Star appeared some little matter above a year before they came to Bethlehem, and considering at how great distance some parts in Arabia were from Ierusalem, they think that a year might well be ran out in their Deliberations about, and Preparations for, and dispatch of their Journey. Thus they interpret the next words [according to the time he had diligently inquired of the Wise Men] that they had told them, that it was something above a year, since the Star appeared first. This is now a middle way, betwixt those who (very improbably) think that they came within thirteen days, too short a time doubtless for such a Journey, and those that think they came not till near two years, which to some seemeth as much too long. I leave it to the Readers judgment.