Matthew 23:30 - Printer Friendly

ESV: saying, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’

NIV: And you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.'

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

CSB: and you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we wouldn't have taken part with them in shedding the prophets' blood.'

NLT: Then you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would never have joined them in killing the prophets.’

KJV: 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.

NKJV: and say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.’

It's extremely common for people to look at prior generations and claim "I would not have made that mistake." This applies to cultural as well as religious ideas. Many Christians believe if they had been born and raised in the era of Jesus Christ, they would have seen the truth, leaving behind the entire religious system of their day to follow Jesus. In this way, we deny that human nature is to be as sinful and blind as those who rejected Jesus in the first place. While it's possible we might have been among those who believed, it's also possible we'd have been participants in those same sins.

The Pharisees and scribes were guilty of this very failure; they did not see their own rejection of God's messengers. While their rebellion was well disguised (Matthew 23:27), they were actively repeating the disobedient error of their ancestors. They are sure that if they had lived in the days of their own forefathers, they would not have rejected God's prophets and joined in killing them.

Those present to hear Jesus say these words, however, actively rejected the prophet John the Baptist. He came to point the world to Jesus and the Messiah (Matthew 21:23–27). Within the week, these same groups—the scribes and Pharisees—would participate in condemning Jesus, the Son of God, and seeing Him executed by the Romans at their urging (Matthew 16:21; 27:24–26). Their sin is every bit as great as the sins of their ancestors who rejected and killed the prophets sent to Israel by God.

Matthew 23:13–36 contains seven layers of condemnation, from Jesus, towards the religious leaders of His era. Each of these is introduced with the word "woe," which is an exclamation like "oh!" or "alas!" Pronouncing God's judgment on these men, He repeatedly describes them as "blind" and "hypocrites." Convincing others of their views only adds victims to hell. They follow the letters of manmade law to the tiniest detail but miss the real meaning of Scripture: God's heart for justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Their outer appearance of righteousness hides inner lives full of greed, self-indulgence, hypocrisy, and lawlessness. Those in Jesus' generation will pay for many of the righteous people unjustly killed in the past.

After thoroughly dismantling scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees in debate, Jesus even more thoroughly condemns these religious leaders for their religious hypocrisy. They do all their religious acts and works to be seen and approved of by other people. Jesus pronounces God's judgment on the scribes and Pharisees in a series of seven "woe to you" statements. He repeatedly calls them "blind" and "hypocrites." He concludes with a lament for Jerusalem and her children who rejected His protection. God's judgment is coming.

Matthew 23 concludes Matthew's multi-chapter account of all of Jesus' interactions in the temple during the last week before His arrest and crucifixion. After silencing the religious leaders with parables and brilliant responses (Matthew 21—22), He pronounces God's judgment on the scribes and Pharisees in a series of seven "woe to you" statements. Jesus mourns for the judgment that will come on Jerusalem for her rejection of God. This leads Jesus to leave the temple, sadly remarking on its impending destruction (Matthew 24:1–2). As the disciples ask about this, Jesus begins an extended teaching on the end times in chapter 24.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.