Drove them at length to the most barbarous and inhuman methods of suppressing them, by the murder of their children

Drove them at length to the most barbarous and inhuman methods of suppressing them, by the murder of their children

In his commentary on the book of Matthew, Matthew Henry discusses the persecution and suppression of the early Christians by the Roman Empire. He describes how the Roman authorities, driven by their fear and hatred of the growing Christian movement, resorted to the most barbarous and inhuman methods to try and stamp out the faith.

One of the most shocking and heartbreaking tactics used by the Romans was the murder of children. Henry writes that the authorities, in their desperation to quash the Christian movement, would not hesitate to kill innocent children in an attempt to strike fear into the hearts of the believers. This brutal and senseless act of violence was meant to send a clear message to the Christians that they would stop at nothing to eradicate their faith.

Henry condemns these heinous acts as not only barbaric and inhuman, but also as a direct violation of the teachings of Jesus Christ. He reminds his readers that Jesus himself said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14) The murder of children, therefore, goes against the very essence of Christianity, which is based on love, compassion, and the protection of the innocent.

Despite the persecution and violence they faced, Henry notes that the early Christians remained steadfast in their faith and refused to renounce their beliefs. They were willing to endure unimaginable suffering and sacrifice, including the loss of their own children, in order to remain faithful to Christ. Their courage and resilience in the face of such extreme cruelty is a testament to the power of their faith and the strength of their convictions.