Massacre of the Innocents; The Massacre of the Innocents is an episode of mass infanticide by the King of Judea, Herod the Great, that appears in the Gospel of Matthew 2:16-18. The author, traditionally believed to be Matthew the Evangelist, reports that King Herod ordered the execution of all young male children in the village of Bethlehem, so as to avoid the loss of his throne to a newborn King of the Jews whose birth had been announced to him by the Magi.. High quality vintage art reproduction by Buyenlarge. One of many rare and wonderful images brought forward in time. I hope they bring you pleasure each and every time you look at them.