The answer is: Herod

Matt 2:16 - Herod was threatened by a rival who was to be a future King of the Jews and sought to kill him to remove the threat to his throne.

When we think about the Christmas story, it's often all sweetness and light—except for King Herod! This guy was absolutely paranoid about losing power. When the Magi showed up asking about the "King of the Jews," he practically saw his crown slipping away. Feeling threatened, Herod feverishly plotted Jesus' demise. He ordered the massacre of infants in Bethlehem, a chilling action that accentuated his desperate obsession with safeguarding his reign—the lengths someone will go, right?

Interestingly, Herod the Great wasn’t just your average tyrant. He was a shrewd political fixer who consolidated power like a pro. Feeling unappreciated for all his hard work, his paranoia even extended within his household. He notoriously executed several of his family members, thinking they were plotting against him!

In the grand biblical narrative, Herod's fear creates an unsettling background for what typically portrays a joyful scene. Jesus’ life wasn’t only characterized by bloodshed attempted by this jealous king; it serves as a reminder of the early opposition to Jesus's mission and teachings. For those who get really deep into biblical trivia, there can be a modern parallel, as people throughout history have risen and fallen Williamsoneying powers, mimicking Herod's quest for control.

Ultimately, through his survival, Jesus managed to uphold a message of hope, revolt against hate as bright lights amidst a sometimes dark world—a lesson we could always use!