Matthew 2:16
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
Cross-reference
Matthew 2:7 records Herod learning the star's timing from the Magi, which directly explains why he kills boys under two in the subsequent massacre.
In Matthew 2:13, the angel warns Joseph to flee because Herod will seek the child — explaining why the massacre follows Jesus' escape.
Genesis 49:7 condemns fierce, cruel anger — the same kind that drives Herod to slaughter innocent children.
Daniel 3:19 describes escalating fury — Herod's order to kill all infants similarly shows rage without bounds.
2 Kings 8:12 foretells dashing children — Herod's massacre of infants similarly targets the most vulnerable.
In Daniel 3:13, Nebuchadnezzar's furious rage mirrors Herod's — both kings respond to threats with violent fury.
Proverbs 27:4 shows that jealousy drives cruel wrath — Herod's massacre was fueled by jealous fear of a rival king.
Proverbs 28:15 likens a wicked ruler to a roaring lion — Herod's oppressive massacre fits this image.
Isaiah 26:21 declares God will punish bloodshed — Herod's massacre of innocents cries out for divine justice.
Exodus 2:3 shows Moses hidden from Pharaoh's death decree, prefiguring Jesus' escape from Herod's slaughter of infants.
Jeremiah 31:15 is the prophecy of Rachel weeping for her children, which Matthew 2:18 directly cites as fulfilled by the massacre.
Proverbs 29:2 notes that when the wicked rule, the people groan — Herod's tyranny caused the groaning of Bethlehem's mourning mothers.
Psalm 2:2 depicts kings plotting against the Lord's anointed — Herod's massacre is a fulfillment of this opposition to the Messiah.
2 Kings 11:1 describes Athaliah destroying the royal seed — a direct parallel to Herod's massacre of potential heirs to secure power.
In 1 Samuel 24:20, Saul acknowledges David as future king — opposite of Herod's attempt to eliminate rival. A contrast between sparing and slaughtering.
Hosea 10:14 describes mothers dashed to pieces with children—a brutal slaughter that parallels Herod's massacre of innocents in Bethlehem.
1 Samuel 22:16 shows Saul ordering the slaughter of the priests of Nob—a parallel to Herod's massacre as a king kills innocents to eliminate a threat.
Judges 9:5 describes Abimelech murdering his seventy brothers to seize power—a parallel to Herod killing potential rivals to secure his throne.
In Acts 12:19, Herod Agrippa kills the guards after Peter escapes — a similar violent reaction to a thwarted plan.