Matthew 23:30

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.

Complete Jewish Bible:

and you say, `Had we lived when our fathers did, we would never have taken part in killing the prophets.'

Berean Standard Bible:

And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’

American Standard Version:

and say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we should not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532} say^{G3004}, If^{G1487} we had been^{G2258} in^{G1722} the days^{G2250} of our^{G2257} fathers^{G3962}, we would^{G302} not^{G3756} have been^{G2258} partakers^{G2844} with them^{G846} in^{G1722} the blood^{G129} of the prophets^{G4396}.

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Commentary for Matthew 23:30

Matthew 23:30 is part of Jesus' scathing rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees, religious leaders of the time, which is known as the "Woes of the Pharisees." This chapter captures a moment of intense confrontation between Jesus and these leaders, highlighting the hypocrisy and legalism that had come to characterize their religious practices.

In the verse, Jesus is calling out the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and scribes by imagining a scenario where they claim they would not have participated in the sins of their ancestors, specifically the killing of the prophets. This statement reflects a common theme in the Old Testament where the people of Israel often rejected and even killed the prophets that God sent to them. The Pharisees are portrayed as self-righteous, believing they are morally superior to their forebears, yet Jesus is emphasizing that they are actually continuing the pattern of rejecting God's messengers by not recognizing Him as the Messiah.

The historical context of this verse is crucial. The Pharisees prided themselves on their strict adherence to the Law and their supposed piety. However, Jesus accuses them of focusing on outward appearances while neglecting the weightier matters of the law, such as justice, mercy, and faithfulness. By stating that they would not have been complicit in the shedding of the prophets' blood, the Pharisees are seen as deluded, failing to recognize their own participation in the very sins they condemn. Jesus' words serve as a prophetic warning about the dangers of self-righteousness and as a call to recognize the true demands of righteousness and the need for repentance.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3004
   There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λέγω
   Transliteration: légō
   Pronunciation: leg'-o
   Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
   
3. Strong's Number: G1487
   There are 271 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἰ
   Transliteration: ei
   Pronunciation: i
   Description: a primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.:--forasmuch as, if, that, (al-)though, whether. Often used in connection or composition with other particles, especially as in εἴγε, εἰ δὲ μή(γε), εἰ καί, εἰ μή, εἰ μή τι, εἴ περ, εἴ πως, εἴ τις, ἐκ. See also ἐάν.
   
4. Strong's Number: G2258
   There are 416 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἦν
   Transliteration: ēn
   Pronunciation: ane
   Description: imperfect of εἰμί; I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were):--+ agree, be, X have (+ charge of), hold, use, was(-t), were.
   
5. Strong's Number: G1722
   There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐν
   Transliteration: en
   Pronunciation: en
   Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
   
6. Strong's Number: G2250
   There are 366 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἡμέρα
   Transliteration: hēméra
   Pronunciation: hay-mer'-ah
   Description: feminine (with ὥρα implied) of a derivative of (to sit; akin to the base of ἑδραῖος) meaning tame, i.e. gentle; day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the Jews as inclusive of the parts of both extremes); figuratively, a period (always defined more or less clearly by the context):--age, + alway, (mid-)day (by day, (-ly)), + for ever, judgment, (day) time, while, years.
   
7. Strong's Number: G2257
   There are 365 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἡμῶν
   Transliteration: hēmōn
   Pronunciation: hay-mone'
   Description: genitive case plural of ἐγώ; of (or from) us:--our (company), us, we.
   
8. Strong's Number: G3962
   There are 372 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πατήρ
   Transliteration: patḗr
   Pronunciation: pat-ayr'
   Description: apparently a primary word; a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote):--father, parent.
   
9. Strong's Number: G302
   There are 241 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἄν
   Transliteration: án
   Pronunciation: an
   Description: a primary particle, denoting a supposition, wish, possibility or uncertainty:--(what-, where-, wither-, who-)soever. Usually unexpressed except by the subjunctive or potential mood. Also contracted for ἐάν.
   
10. Strong's Number: G3756
    There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὐ
    Transliteration: ou
    Pronunciation: ookh
    Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
    
11. Strong's Number: G2844
    There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: κοινωνός
    Transliteration: koinōnós
    Pronunciation: koy-no-nos'
    Description: from κοινός; a sharer, i.e. associate:--companion, X fellowship, partaker, partner.
    
12. Strong's Number: G846
    There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: αὐτός
    Transliteration: autós
    Pronunciation: ow-tos'
    Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
    
13. Strong's Number: G129
    There are 141 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: αἷμα
    Transliteration: haîma
    Pronunciation: hah'-ee-mah
    Description: of uncertain derivation; blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of Christ); by implication, bloodshed, also kindred:--blood.
    
14. Strong's Number: G4396
    There are 143 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: προφήτης
    Transliteration: prophḗtēs
    Pronunciation: prof-ay'-tace
    Description: from a compound of πρό and φημί; a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet:--prophet.