Matthew 23:30

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.

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}.

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

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.’

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.

In Matthew 23:30, Jesus continues His strong condemnation of the scribes and Pharisees, exposing their deep-seated hypocrisy. This verse captures their self-righteous declaration that if they had lived in the time of their ancestors, they would not have participated in the persecution and killing of the prophets.

Context

This verse is part of Jesus' "Seven Woes" against the religious leaders in Matthew chapter 23. He accuses them of spiritual blindness, greed, and a profound disconnect between their outward religious observance and their inner corruption. Immediately preceding this verse, in Matthew 23:29, Jesus highlights their practice of building and beautifying the tombs of the prophets whom their ancestors had murdered. Their statement in verse 30 serves as a self-justifying claim of moral superiority over previous generations.

Key Themes

  • Profound Hypocrisy: The Pharisees' declaration is a prime example of hypocrisy. They condemn their ancestors for killing prophets while actively planning to kill Jesus, the greatest Prophet and Son of God. This self-deception is a central theme throughout Jesus' critique.
  • Rejection of God's Messengers: The history of Israel is marked by a recurring pattern of rejecting and persecuting God's chosen messengers, the prophets. The Pharisees, despite their claim, were perpetuating this very sin, demonstrating a continuity of rebellion against divine truth.
  • Generational Guilt and Spiritual Blindness: While they physically distanced themselves from the acts of their ancestors, their spiritual posture and intentions aligned perfectly. As Jesus states in the very next verse, Matthew 23:31, "Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets." They were heirs to the same spiritual rebellion.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "partakers with them in the blood of the prophets" is a strong idiom indicating complicity and shared guilt in the violent acts committed against God's messengers. It signifies not just a passive association but an active involvement or approval of the shedding of innocent blood. The KJV's "partakers" emphasizes sharing in the consequence or guilt of the action.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful warning against self-righteousness and spiritual blindness. It challenges us to look beyond outward religious acts and examine our true heart condition. Are we quick to condemn the sins of the past or of others, while harboring similar attitudes or actions in our own lives? True repentance involves acknowledging our own capacity for sin and embracing God's grace, rather than claiming moral superiority. The passage encourages a humble self-assessment, ensuring we are not like those who outwardly honor God's servants while inwardly rejecting His truth and messengers today, especially Jesus Christ Himself.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 23:34

    Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and [some] of them ye shall kill and crucify; and [some] of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute [them] from city to city:

  • Matthew 23:35

    That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

  • Matthew 21:35

    And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.

  • Matthew 21:36

    Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.

  • Jeremiah 2:30

    In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.

  • 2 Chronicles 36:15

    And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:

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