Was the infant John the Baptist at risk from Herod’s persecution like Jesus? Did Zechariah and Elizabeth need to take action to hide him as he was in the same age group as Jesus? There’s no indication in scripture that he was at risk also, is there an explanation in tradition?
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.
Herod was cautious and ruthless and knowing families might flee to relatives nearby or that the baby was in the general vicinity of Bethelehem, his edict would have been more expansive than just the small village of Bethlehem. Mary and Elizabeth were relatives; Jesus and John likely cousins. Therefore, it is likely, even probable that Herod covered his bases well to protect his throne.
When we visit Ein Kerem and ascend to the Franciscan Church of the Visitation where Zechariah and Elizabeth lived, there is a prominent mural of the “Slaughter of the Innocents”. I always ask my group, “Why do you think this painting is here?” I then explain the Ein Kerem is in the vicinity of Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Notice in the image that the angel has positioned Elizabeth and baby John behind a rocky barrier.
22. And when Herod knew that he had been mocked by the Magi, in a rage he sent murderers, saying to them: Slay the children from two years old and under. And Mary, having heard that the children were being killed, was afraid, and took the infant and swaddled Him, and put Him into an ox-stall. And Elizabeth, having heard that they were searching for John, took him and went up into the hill-country, and kept looking where to conceal him. And there was no place of concealment. And Elizabeth, groaning with a loud voice, says: O mountain of God, receive mother and child. And immediately the mountain was cleft, and received her. And a light shone about them, for an angel of the Lord was with them, watching over them.
23. And Herod searched for John, and sent officers to Zacharias, saying: Where have you hid your son? And he, answering, said to them: I am the servant of God in holy things, and I sit constantly in the temple of the Lord: I do not know where my son is. And the officers went away, and reported all these things to Herod. And Herod was enraged, and said: His son is destined to be king over Israel. And he sent to him again, saying: Tell the truth; where is your son? For you know that your life is in my hand. And Zacharias said: I am God’s martyr, if you shed my blood; for the Lord will receive my spirit, because you shed innocent blood at the vestibule of the temple of the Lord. And Zacharias was murdered about daybreak. And the sons of Israel did not know that he had been murdered.
So, it is quite certain that John was under the edict of King Heros. Without the intervention of the angel of God, he might have been slaughtered with the other baby boys. Jesus was also rescued by the flight to Egypt.