The Jews had excited the envy and hatred of Herod against Christ, through their false interpretation of the prophets. They taught that Christ was to reign over an earthly empire, in unsurpassed glory. Their proud boasting presented the Saviour of the world, and his mission to the earth, altogether in a false light. Their lofty ideas and their proud boasting did not result as Satan had at first purposed they should, in the destruction of the infant Saviour, but rebounded back upon themselves, filling their homes with mourning. Jeremiah, in prophetic vision, says: “In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.” But Herod did not long survive his cruel work. He died a fearful death. He was compelled to yield to a power he could not turn aside or overcome. {2SP 28.2}

Jøderne havde udvist Herodes misundelse og had imod Kristus, ved deres falske udlægning af profeterne. De lærte at Kristus skulle regere over et jordisk rige, i uovertræffelig herlighed. Deres stolte pral fremstillede verdens frelser, og hans mission på jorden, i det hele taget i et falsk lys. Deres stolte idéer og deres pral førte ikke til det som Satan først ville det skulle, at udslette barnefrelseren, men kastedes tilbage til dem selv, og fyldte deres hjem med sorg. I et profetisk syn sagde Jeremias: »En røst hørtes i Rama, gråd og megen jamren; Rakel græd over sine børn og ville ikke lad sig trøste, thi de er ikke mere.« Men Herodes overlevede ikke sit grusomme værk så længe. Han døde en frygtelig død. (29) Han blev tvunget til at give efter for en magt han ikke kunne undvige eller overvinde.