New International VersionAnd 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.’
New Living TranslationThen you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would never have joined them in killing the prophets.’
English Standard Versionsaying, ‘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.’
Berean Standard BibleAnd 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.’
Berean Literal Bibleand you 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.'
King James BibleAnd 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.
New King James Versionand 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.’
New American Standard Bibleand 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.’
NASB 1995and 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.’
NASB 1977and 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.’
Legacy Standard Bibleand 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.’
Amplified Bibleand you say, ‘If we had been living in the days of our fathers, we would not have joined them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’
Christian Standard Bibleand 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.’
Holman Christian Standard Bibleand you say, If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we wouldn’t have taken part with them in shedding the prophets’ blood.’
American Standard Versionand 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.
Contemporary English VersionAnd you claim you would not have taken part with your ancestors in killing the prophets.
English Revised Versionand 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.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThen you say, 'If we had lived at the time of our ancestors, we would not have helped to murder the prophets.'
Good News Translationand you claim that if you had lived during the time of your ancestors, you would not have done what they did and killed the prophets.
International Standard VersionThen you say, 'If we had been living in the days of our ancestors, we would have had no part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.'
NET BibleAnd you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have participated with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.'
New Heart English Bibleand 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.'
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd 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.
Weymouth New Testamentand your boast is, "'If we had lived in the time of our forefathers, we should not have been implicated with them in the murder of the Prophets.' Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd 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.’
World English Bibleand say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we wouldn’t have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.’ Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand 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.
Berean Literal Bibleand you 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.'
Young's Literal Translation 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.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we had not been their partakers in the blood of the prophets, Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd 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.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd then you say, ‘If we had been there in the days of our fathers, we would not have joined with them in the blood of the prophets.’
New American Bibleand you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have joined them in shedding the prophets’ blood.’
New Revised Standard Versionand 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.’ Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd you say, If we had been living in the days of our forefathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishAnd you say, 'If we had been in the days of our forefathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of The Prophets.' NT Translations Anderson New Testamentand 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.
Godbey New Testamentand you say, If we were in the days of our fathers we would not have been their fellow-partakers in the blood of the prophets.
Haweis New Testament
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.
Mace New Testament
and say, if we had liv'd in the time of our forefathers, we would not have been accessory with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.
Weymouth New Testament
and your boast is, "'If we had lived in the time of our forefathers, we should not have been implicated with them in the murder of the Prophets.'
Worrell New Testament
'If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.'
Worsley New Testament
and say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been concerned with them inshedding the blood of the prophets:
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Woes to Scribes and Pharisees… 29Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous. 30Andyou say,‘Ifwe had livedinthedaysof ourfathers,we would not have beenpartnerswith themin sheddingthebloodof theprophets.’31So you testify against yourselves that you are the sons of those who murdered the prophets.…
Cross References Matthew 5:12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.
Luke 11:47-48Woe to you! For you build tombs for the prophets, but it was your fathers who killed them. / So you are witnesses consenting to the deeds of your fathers: They killed the prophets, and you build their tombs.
Acts 7:52Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers—
Hebrews 11:32-38And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, / who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, / quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight. ...
1 Thessalonians 2:15who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets and drove us out as well. They are displeasing to God and hostile to all men,
Romans 11:3“Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well”?
Acts 2:23He was delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross.
Acts 3:14-15You rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. / You killed the Author of life, but God raised Him from the dead, and we are witnesses of this fact.
Acts 7:51You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did.
1 John 3:12Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain slay him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous.
1 Kings 19:10“I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts,” he replied, “but the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well.”
2 Chronicles 24:20-21Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood up before the people and said to them, “This is what God says: ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the LORD, He has forsaken you.’” / But they conspired against Zechariah, and by order of the king, they stoned him in the courtyard of the house of the LORD.
Nehemiah 9:26But they were disobedient and rebelled against You; they flung Your law behind their backs. They killed Your prophets, who had admonished them to return to You. They committed terrible blasphemies.
Jeremiah 2:30“I have struck your sons in vain; they accepted no discipline. Your own sword has devoured your prophets like a voracious lion.”
Jeremiah 26:23They brought Uriah out of Egypt and took him to King Jehoiakim, who had him put to the sword and his body thrown into the burial place of the common people.
Treasury of Scripture 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. the blood. Matthew 23:34,35 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: andsome of them ye shall kill and crucify; andsome of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecutethem from city to city: … Matthew 21:35,36 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another… 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: Jump to Previous BloodBoastFathersForefathersMurderPartakersPartnersProphetsSheddingTimeWouldn'tJump to Next BloodBoastFathersForefathersMurderPartakersPartnersProphetsSheddingTimeWouldn'tMatthew 23 1.Jesus admonishes the people to follow good doctrine, not bad examples5.His disciples must beware of their ambition.13.He denounces eight woes against their hypocrisy and blindness,34.and prophesies of the destruction of Jerusalem.And you say,This phrase introduces a direct quotation from the religious leaders of Jesus' time, highlighting their self-righteousness and presumption. It reflects a common human tendency to judge past generations while failing to recognize similar faults in oneself. This self-assured statement sets the stage for Jesus' critique of their hypocrisy. ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers,
The reference to "the days of our fathers" points to the historical context of Israel's past, particularly the times of the prophets. The religious leaders claim a moral superiority over their ancestors, suggesting they would have acted differently. This reflects a misunderstanding of their own spiritual condition and a lack of awareness of their complicity in similar sins. we would not have been partners with them
The term "partners" implies complicity and shared responsibility. The leaders assert that they would not have participated in the wrongful actions of their ancestors. This claim is ironic, as Jesus points out their current rejection of Him, the ultimate Prophet. The statement reveals a disconnect between their self-perception and their actual behavior. in shedding the blood of the prophets.’
This phrase refers to the historical persecution and martyrdom of God's prophets by the people of Israel. Prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Zechariah faced opposition and violence for delivering God's messages. The religious leaders' claim is undermined by their own actions against Jesus, who is the fulfillment of the prophetic tradition. This highlights the continuity of resistance to God's messengers throughout Israel's history, culminating in the rejection of Christ. Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus ChristThe speaker of this verse, addressing the scribes and Pharisees, highlighting their hypocrisy. 2. Scribes and PhariseesJewish religious leaders who are being criticized by Jesus for their self-righteousness and hypocrisy. 3. ProphetsMessengers of God in the Old Testament who were often persecuted and killed for delivering God's messages. 4. Fathers/AncestorsRefers to the previous generations of Israelites who rejected and killed the prophets. 5. JerusalemThe city where many prophets were sent and where Jesus is delivering this message. Teaching Points Hypocrisy and Self-DeceptionThe scribes and Pharisees believed they were different from their ancestors, yet they were guilty of the same sins. We must examine our own lives for hypocrisy and self-deception. Acknowledging Our Spiritual HeritageRecognize the sins of our spiritual ancestors and seek to learn from their mistakes rather than repeat them. True RepentanceGenuine repentance involves a change of heart and actions, not just words. We must strive to live out our faith authentically. The Cost of DiscipleshipFollowing Christ may involve standing against cultural or religious norms, just as the prophets did. We must be prepared to face opposition for our faith. The Importance of HumilityPride blinds us to our own faults. We must approach God and others with humility, acknowledging our need for His grace. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Matthew 23:30?
2.How does Matthew 23:30 reveal the hypocrisy of the Pharisees' self-righteousness?
3.In what ways can Christians avoid the Pharisees' attitude in Matthew 23:30?
4.How does Matthew 23:30 connect to Jesus' warnings about false righteousness?
5.What modern behaviors reflect the Pharisees' claim, "If we had lived"?
6.How can believers ensure their actions align with true biblical humility?
7.What does Matthew 23:30 reveal about hypocrisy in religious leaders?
8.How does Matthew 23:30 challenge our understanding of self-righteousness?
9.Why do people often repeat the mistakes of past generations, as suggested in Matthew 23:30?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 23?
11.(Matthew 23:9) How is 'call no man father' reconciled with traditions that use fatherly titles for clergy?
12.Why does Jesus tell people not to call anyone 'father' (Matthew 23:9), yet the Bible refers to Abraham as 'our father' (Romans 4:16)?
13.Who was Joseph's father? (Matthew 1:16 vs. Luke 3:23)
14.Who were Josiah's sons?What Does Matthew 23:30 Mean And you sayJesus is quoting the religious leaders’ own words, exposing the gap between what they profess and what they practice. Their declaration sounds pious, yet it is merely lip service. Just asIsaiah 29:13 warns of people who honor God with words while their hearts are far from Him, these men use speech to varnish over unbelief.Matthew 23:29 frames this: “Woe to you… you build tombs for the prophets…”— outward tribute masking inward hostility (Luke 11:47-48).
‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers,They imagine that distance in time would have produced different behavior, yet the same sinful nature runs through every generation (Romans 3:10-12). Their statement overlooks Israel’s recurring pattern: each era excuses itself while repeating the past (Judges 2:19). Stephen later drives this point home: “As your fathers did, so do you” (Acts 7:51).
we would not have been partners with themHere comes the self-flattering denial of guilt. But partnership is not avoided by words; it is proven by deeds (James 2:18). By plotting against Jesus, they demonstrate active complicity (John 11:53).Romans 2:1 reminds us that condemning others while practicing the same sins brings God’s judgment. Their claim also ignoresJeremiah 17:9: “The heart is deceitful above all things.” • They fail to see that honoring past prophets while rejecting Christ Himself makes them guilty of the very violence they renounce. • Their alliance with those planning Jesus’ death shows partnership in real time (Matthew 26:3-4).
in shedding the blood of the prophets.’This phrase sums up Israel’s tragic history of rejecting God’s messengers—Zechariah son of Jehoiada (2 Chronicles 24:20-22), Uriah (Jeremiah 26:20-23), and countless others “stoned” and “sawn in two” (Hebrews 11:36-38). Jesus will soon pronounce judgment over Jerusalem for this bloodshed (Matthew 23:37-38), culminating in His own crucifixion (Acts 2:23). By rejecting the ultimate Prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:18;Acts 3:22-23), they heap up responsibility for every slain servant from Abel to Zechariah (Matthew 23:35).
summaryMatthew 23:30 exposes the self-deception of religious leaders who claim they would never have harmed God’s prophets, even while plotting to kill the greatest Prophet, Jesus Christ. Their words reveal hypocrisy, ignore the continuity of human sin, and confirm that denial of guilt cannot erase partnership in evil. True repentance is shown not by boasting about what we would have done in the past but by surrendering to God’s message in the present. (30) If we had been in the days. . .--There is no necessity for assuming that the Pharisees did not mean what they said. It was simply an instance of the unconscious hypocrisy of which every generation has more or less been guilty, when it has condemned the wrong-doing of the past--its bigotry, or luxury, or greed--and then has yielded to the same sins itself. Verse 30. - And say. They boasted that they were better than their fathers; they disavowed their crimes, and endeavoured, by honouring the prophets' graves, to deliver themselves from the guilt of those who persecuted them. Fair show, with no reality! They professed to venerate the dead, but would not receive the living; they reverenced Abraham and Moses, but were about to murder the Christ to whom patriarch and prophet bore witness. Commentators quote the old adage, herein exemplified, "Sit licet divus, dummodo non vivus." The only practical way of delivering themselves from the guilt of their forefathers was by hearkening to those who now preached the gospel of salvation - the very last thing which they were purposed to do.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek Andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.you say,λέγετε(legete)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 3004:(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.‘IfΕἰ(Ei)Conjunction
Strong's 1487:If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.we had livedἤμεθα(ēmetha)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.inἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.theταῖς(tais)Article - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.daysἡμέραις(hēmerais)Noun - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2250:A day, the period from sunrise to sunset.of ourἡμῶν(hēmōn)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.fathers,πατέρων(paterōn)Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3962:Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.we would not have beenἤμεθα(ēmetha)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.partnersκοινωνοὶ(koinōnoi)Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2844:A sharer, partner, companion. From koinos; a sharer, i.e. Associate.with themαὐτῶν(autōn)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.in [shedding]ἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.theτῷ(tō)Article - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.bloodαἵματι(haimati)Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 129:Blood, literally, figuratively or specially; by implication, bloodshed, also kindred.of theτῶν(tōn)Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.prophets.’προφητῶν(prophētōn)Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 4396:From a compound of pro and phemi; a foreteller; by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet.
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NT Gospels: Matthew 23:30 And say 'If we had lived (Matt. Mat Mt) |
