Why was King Herod Troubled When the Wise Men From the East Came Searching for the Child Jesus?

The wise men from the East came searching for the one who was born King of the Jews, causing Herod the King to be troubled. King Herod was a very insecure man who would do anything to keep his throne.

So, when the wise men asked the question, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” Herod was willing to do what it took to keep power, though Jesus was only a child it didn’t matter to Herod.

Herod had already killed family members, so to kill a child wouldn’t be much of an afterthought.

A Bible Commentator William Barclay says this about Herod:

“He had no sooner come to the throne than he began by annihilating the Sanhedrin . . . he slaughtered three hundred court officers . . . he murdered his wife Mariamne, and her mother Alexandra, his eldest son Antipater, and two other sons, Alexander and Aristobulus.”

When Herod became troubled, then fear arose throughout those in Jerusalem because they were afraid of what Herod would do. 

Herod was fearful of the Child Jesus.

This is what C. H. Spurgeon says of this:

“This trouble is again testimony to the greatness of Jesus, even as a young child. “Jesus of Nazareth is so potent a factor in the world of mind that, no sooner is he there in his utmost weakness, a now-born King, than he begins to reign. Before he mounts the throne, friends bring him presents, and his enemies compass his death.”

Jesus still has many enemies, but He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is in complete control of everything, and He will one day come back and put an end to all the Herod’s and calm the troubled hearts. 



Greg