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id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/23-30.htm" title="Matthew 23:30">◄</a> Matthew 23:31 <a href="/matthew/23-32.htm" title="Matthew 23:32">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comment </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/matthew/23.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/matthew/23.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“But in saying that, you testify against yourselves that you are indeed the descendants of those who murdered the prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Thus you witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So you testify against yourselves that you are the sons of those who murdered the prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/23.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Thus you bear witness to yourselves that you are sons of those having murdered the prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So you testify against yourselves, that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220So you testify against yourselves, that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Consequently you bear witness against yourselves, that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So you bear witness against yourselves, that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So you testify against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You, therefore, testify against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Wherefore ye witness to yourselves, that ye are sons of them that slew the prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But you prove you really are the relatives of the ones who killed the prophets. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Wherefore ye witness to yourselves, that ye are sons of them that slew the prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />So you actually admit that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Therefore, you testify against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the prophets. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So you testify against yourselves that you are the sons of those who murdered the prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />By saying this you testify against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Therefore you testify to yourselves that you are children of those who killed the prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Wherefore ye are witnesses to yourselves, that ye are the children of them who killed the prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/23.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"So that you bear witness against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the Prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Therefore you testify to yourselves that you are children of those who killed the prophets. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />So that you testify to yourselves that you are sons of them who murdered the prophets;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/23.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Thus you bear witness to yourselves that you are sons of those having murdered the prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> So that ye testify to yourselves, that ye are sons of them who did murder the prophets;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Wherefore ye bear testimony to yourselves, that ye are the sons of those having slain the prophets.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Wherefore you are witnesses against yourselves, that you are the sons of them that killed the prophets. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And so you are witnesses against yourselves, that you are the sons of those who killed the prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Thus you bear witness against yourselves that you are the children of those who murdered the prophets;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Thus you testify against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the prophets.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Now you testify concerning yourselves, that you are the children of those who killed the prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/23.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />Therefore you testify against yourselves that you are the children of those who murdered The Prophets.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/23.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />So then you testify against yourselves, that you are the sons of those who killed the prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/23.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>So you witness to yourselves, that you are the sons of those who murdered the prophets.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/23.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Wherefore ye bear a testimony to yourselves, that ye are the children of those who killed the prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/23.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />whereby you yourselves own that ye are indeed the children of those who killed the prophets,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/23.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"So that you bear witness against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the Prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/23.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>So then ye testify to yourselves that ye are sons of those who killed the prophets;<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/23.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>so that ye are witnesses yourselves, that ye are the children of those who killed the prophets:<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/23-31.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=6961" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/matthew/23.htm">Woes to Scribes and Pharisees</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">30</span>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.’ <span class="reftext">31</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/5620.htm" title="5620: hōste (Conj) -- So that, therefore, so then, so as to. From hos and te; so too, i.e. Thus therefore.">So</a> <a href="/greek/3140.htm" title="3140: martyreite (V-PIA-2P) -- To witness, bear witness, give evidence, testify, give a good report. From martus; to be a witness, i.e. Testify.">you testify</a> <a href="/greek/1438.htm" title="1438: heautois (RefPro-DM3P) -- Himself, herself, itself. ">against yourselves</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">that</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: este (V-PIA-2P) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">you are</a> <a href="/greek/5207.htm" title="5207: huioi (N-NMP) -- A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a son, used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.">the sons</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of those</a> <a href="/greek/5407.htm" title="5407: phoneusantōn (V-APA-GMP) -- To murder, kill. From phoneus; to be a murderer.">who murdered</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tous (Art-AMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4396.htm" title="4396: prophētas (N-AMP) -- From a compound of pro and phemi; a foreteller; by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet.">prophets.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">32</span>Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your fathers.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-52.htm">Acts 7:52</a></span><br />Which 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—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-47.htm">Luke 11:47-48</a></span><br />Woe 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-36.htm">Hebrews 11:36-38</a></span><br />Still others endured mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. / They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they were put to death by the sword. They went around in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, oppressed, and mistreated. / The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and hid in caves and holes in the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/2-15.htm">1 Thessalonians 2:15</a></span><br />who 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,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-3.htm">Romans 11:3</a></span><br />“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”?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-51.htm">Acts 7:51-53</a></span><br />You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did. / Which 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— / you who received the law ordained by angels, yet have not kept it.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/19-10.htm">1 Kings 19:10</a></span><br />“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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/9-26.htm">Nehemiah 9:26</a></span><br />But 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/2-30.htm">Jeremiah 2:30</a></span><br />“I have struck your sons in vain; they accepted no discipline. Your own sword has devoured your prophets like a voracious lion.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/26-23.htm">Jeremiah 26:23</a></span><br />They 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/36-16.htm">2 Chronicles 36:16</a></span><br />But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/24-20.htm">2 Chronicles 24:20-21</a></span><br />Then 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/2-3.htm">Ezekiel 2:3-5</a></span><br />“Son of man,” He said to me, “I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me. To this very day they and their fathers have rebelled against Me. / They are obstinate and stubborn children. I am sending you to them, and you are to say to them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says.’ / And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/1-4.htm">Zechariah 1:4-6</a></span><br />Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets proclaimed that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Turn now from your evil ways and deeds.’ But they did not listen or pay attention to Me, declares the LORD. / Where are your fathers now? And the prophets, do they live forever? / But did not My words and My statutes, which I commanded My servants the prophets, overtake your fathers? They repented and said, ‘Just as the LORD of Hosts purposed to do to us according to our ways and deeds, so He has done to us.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/7-11.htm">Zechariah 7:11-12</a></span><br />But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped up their ears from hearing. / They made their hearts like flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the LORD of Hosts had sent by His Spirit through the earlier prophets. Therefore great anger came from the LORD of Hosts.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Why you be witnesses to yourselves, that you are the children of them which killed the prophets.</p><p class="hdg">witnesses.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/24-22.htm">Joshua 24:22</a></b></br> And Joshua said unto the people, Ye <i>are</i> witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, <i>We are</i> witnesses.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/15-5.htm">Job 15:5,6</a></b></br> For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity, and thou choosest the tongue of the crafty… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/64-8.htm">Psalm 64:8</a></b></br> So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.</p><p class="hdg">that.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/7-51.htm">Acts 7:51,52</a></b></br> Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers <i>did</i>, so <i>do</i> ye… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_thessalonians/2-15.htm">1 Thessalonians 2:15,16</a></b></br> Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/21-19.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/matthew/22-25.htm">Children</a> <a href="/matthew/22-25.htm">Death</a> <a href="/matthew/3-9.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/matthew/22-6.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/matthew/23-30.htm">Murder</a> <a href="/matthew/22-6.htm">Murdered</a> <a href="/matthew/23-30.htm">Prophets</a> <a href="/matthew/22-6.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/micah/6-3.htm">Testify</a> <a href="/matthew/21-25.htm">Wherefore</a> <a href="/matthew/19-18.htm">Witness</a> <a href="/matthew/18-16.htm">Witnesses</a> <a href="/matthew/23-15.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/27-32.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/matthew/23-37.htm">Children</a> <a href="/matthew/23-34.htm">Death</a> <a href="/mark/3-28.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/matthew/23-35.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/matthew/27-24.htm">Murder</a> <a href="/matthew/23-35.htm">Murdered</a> <a href="/matthew/23-34.htm">Prophets</a> <a href="/matthew/23-35.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/matthew/26-62.htm">Testify</a> <a href="/matthew/23-34.htm">Wherefore</a> <a href="/matthew/24-14.htm">Witness</a> <a href="/matthew/26-60.htm">Witnesses</a> <a href="/matthew/25-9.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/23-1.htm">Jesus admonishes the people to follow good doctrine, not bad examples</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/23-5.htm">His disciples must beware of their ambition.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/23-13.htm">He denounces eight woes against their hypocrisy and blindness,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">34. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/23-34.htm">and prophesies of the destruction of Jerusalem.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/matthew/23.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>So you testify against yourselves</b><br />This phrase underscores the self-incrimination of the religious leaders. The Greek word for "testify" is "μαρτυρέω" (martureo), which means to bear witness or give evidence. In a legal sense, it implies providing testimony that can be used in judgment. Here, Jesus is highlighting the Pharisees' acknowledgment of their spiritual lineage. Historically, the religious leaders prided themselves on their heritage, yet Jesus points out that their actions and attitudes align them with their forefathers who opposed God's messengers. This self-testimony is a powerful indictment, as it reveals their complicity in the same rebellious spirit.<p><b>that you are the sons</b><br />The term "sons" in this context is not merely biological but denotes a spiritual and moral kinship. In Hebrew culture, being a "son" often implied sharing in the character or actions of one's ancestors. The Greek word "υἱός" (huios) is used here, which can signify a follower or one who embodies the traits of another. Jesus is emphasizing that the Pharisees are not just descendants by blood but are spiritually aligned with their forebears' disobedience and hostility towards God's prophets.<p><b>of those who murdered the prophets</b><br />This phrase is a direct accusation linking the current religious leaders to the historical persecution of God's messengers. The word "murdered" comes from the Greek "φονεύω" (phoneuo), meaning to kill or slay. Throughout Israel's history, prophets were often rejected and killed for delivering God's truth, as seen in the accounts of prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah. Jesus is drawing a parallel between the past and present, suggesting that the same spirit of rejection and violence resides in the hearts of the Pharisees. This historical context serves as a sobering reminder of the persistent resistance to divine truth and the tragic consequences of such actions.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(31) <span class= "bld">Ye be witnesses unto yourselves.</span>--Their words were true in another sense than that in which they had spoken them. They were reproducing in their deeds the very lineaments of those fathers whom they condemned.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 31.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Ye be witnesses unto yourselves.</span> By busying yourselves about adorning the tombs of the prophets slain by your ancestors, you show your descent and the spirit which animates you. <span class="cmt_word">Ye are the children;</span> <span class="accented">ye are sons.</span> They were true sons of their fathers, inheriting their murderous instincts, following their steps. Like father, like son. They inherited and put in practice the same false principles which led their ancestors astray. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/23-31.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">So</span><br /><span class="grk">ὥστε</span> <span class="translit">(hōste)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5620.htm">Strong's 5620: </a> </span><span class="str2">So that, therefore, so then, so as to. From hos and te; so too, i.e. Thus therefore.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you testify</span><br /><span class="grk">μαρτυρεῖτε</span> <span class="translit">(martyreite)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3140.htm">Strong's 3140: </a> </span><span class="str2">To witness, bear witness, give evidence, testify, give a good report. From martus; to be a witness, i.e. Testify.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against yourselves</span><br /><span class="grk">ἑαυτοῖς</span> <span class="translit">(heautois)</span><br /><span class="parse">Reflexive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1438.htm">Strong's 1438: </a> </span><span class="str2">Himself, herself, itself. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="grk">ὅτι</span> <span class="translit">(hoti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> </span><span class="str2">Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you are</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐστε</span> <span class="translit">(este)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[the] sons</span><br /><span class="grk">υἱοί</span> <span class="translit">(huioi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5207.htm">Strong's 5207: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of those</span><br /><span class="grk">τῶν</span> <span class="translit">(tōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Genitive Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who murdered</span><br /><span class="grk">φονευσάντων</span> <span class="translit">(phoneusantōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5407.htm">Strong's 5407: </a> </span><span class="str2">To murder, kill. From phoneus; to be a murderer.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">τοὺς</span> <span class="translit">(tous)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Accusative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">prophets.</span><br /><span class="grk">προφήτας</span> <span class="translit">(prophētas)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4396.htm">Strong's 4396: </a> </span><span class="str2">From a compound of pro and phemi; a foreteller; by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/23-31.htm">Matthew 23:31 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/23-31.htm">Matthew 23:31 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/23-31.htm">Matthew 23:31 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/23-31.htm">Matthew 23:31 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/23-31.htm">Matthew 23:31 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/23-31.htm">Matthew 23:31 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/23-31.htm">Matthew 23:31 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/23-31.htm">Matthew 23:31 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/23-31.htm">Matthew 23:31 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/23-31.htm">Matthew 23:31 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/23-31.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 23:31 Therefore you testify to yourselves that you (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/23-30.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 23:30"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 23:30" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/23-32.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 23:32"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 23:32" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>