Matthew 23:29-32 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Woe 7: The Only Good Prophet Is a Dead Prophet!

Matthew 23:29-32 – Woe 7: The Only Good Prophet Is a Dead Prophet!

|| Luke 11:47, 48

MT23:29 “WOE to you hypocritical Scribes and Pharisees because you build the graves of the prophets and decorate the memoriums[1] of the righteous. MT23:30 You also claim, ‘If we had lived in the days of our forefathers we would never have been guilty of the blood-letting of the prophets.’ MT23:31 So you provide evidence against yourself that your are sons of those who murdered the prophets. MT23:32 Now, live up to the example your forefathers![2]

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[1] Memoriums: The Greek is MNEMEIA from which “memory” is drawn. Or, RSV: adorn the monuments of the righteous; NEB: embellish the monuments of the saints.

[2] Live up to the example your forefathers: Or, KJV: fill ye up then the measure of your fathers; NEB: finish off what your fathers began; WMS: fill up to the brim the cup of your forefather’s guilt. Jesus urges them on to what he has predicted earlier: suffering at their hands and then death.

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Preceding

Matthew 23:1-12 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Prominence and Humility

Matthew 23:13-14 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Shutting Up the Kingdom

Matthew 23:15 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Woe 2: Evangelists of Gehenna

Matthew 23:16-22 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Woe 3: Blind Guides and Gold

Matthew 23:23-24 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Woe 4: A Disregard for Justice and Mercy

Matthew 23:25-26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Woe 5: Greed and Uncleanness

Matthew 23:27-28 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Woe 6: Whitewashed Graves