{He was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him} (etarachth(880a)kai p(8373)a Ierosoluma met' autou). Those familiar with the story
of Herod the Great in Josephus can well understand the meaning of
these words. Herod in his rage over his family rivalries and
jealousies put to death the two sons of Mariamne (Aristobulus and
Alexander), Mariamne herself, and Antipater, another son and once
his heir, besides the brother and mother of Mariamne
(Aristobulus, Alexandra) and her grandfather John Hyrcanus. He
had made will after will and was now in a fatal illness and fury
over the question of the Magi. He showed his excitement and the
whole city was upset because the people knew only too well what
he could do when in a rage over the disturbance of his plans.
"The foreigner and usurper feared a rival, and the tyrant feared
the rival would be welcome" (Bruce). Herod was a hated Idumaean.