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title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<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"><a href="/niv/matthew/23.htm">New International Version</a> And you say, &#8216If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.&#8217 <a href="/nlt/matthew/23.htm">New Living Translation</a> Then you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would never have joined them in killing the prophets.’ <a href="/esv/matthew/23.htm">English Standard Version</a> 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.’ <a href="/bsb/matthew/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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.’ <a href="/blb/matthew/23.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> and 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.' <a href="/kjv/matthew/23.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/23.htm">New King James Version</a> 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.’ <a href="/nasb_/matthew/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> 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.’ <a href="/nasb/matthew/23.htm">NASB 1995</a> and say, &#8216If 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.&#8217 <a href="/nasb77/matthew/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a> and 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.’ <a href="/lsb/matthew/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> and 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.’ <a href="/amp/matthew/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a> and 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.’ <a href="/csb/matthew/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> 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.’ <a href="/hcsb/matthew/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> and you say, If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we wouldn&#8217t have taken part with them in shedding the prophets&#8217 blood.&#8217 <a href="/asv/matthew/23.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/cev/matthew/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> And you claim you would not have taken part with your ancestors in killing the prophets. <a href="/erv/matthew/23.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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. <a href="/gwt/matthew/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Then you say, 'If we had lived at the time of our ancestors, we would not have helped to murder the prophets.' <a href="/gnt/matthew/23.htm">Good News Translation</a> and 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. <a href="/isv/matthew/23.htm">International Standard Version</a> Then 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.' <a href="/net/matthew/23.htm">NET Bible</a> And 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.' <a href="/nheb/matthew/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> 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.' <a href="/wbt/matthew/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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. <a href="/wey/matthew/23.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> 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.'<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/matthew/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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.’ <a href="/web/matthew/23.htm">World English Bible</a> and 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.’ <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/blb/matthew/23.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> and 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.' <a href="/ylt/matthew/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 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. <a href="/slt/matthew/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we had not been their partakers in the blood of the prophets,<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> 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. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And 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.’ <a href="/nabre/matthew/23.htm">New American Bible</a> and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have joined them in shedding the prophets’ blood.’ <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> 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.’<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And 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. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/23.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And 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.'<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/23.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> 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. <a href="/godbey/matthew/23.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>and 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.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/23.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> 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. <a href="/mace/matthew/23.htm">Mace New Testament</a> 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. <a href="/wey/matthew/23.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> 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.' <a href="/worrell/matthew/23.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>'If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.'<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/23.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>and say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been concerned with them in <Fr>shedding<FR> the blood of the prophets:<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/23-30.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=6951" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/23.htm">Woes to Scribes and Pharisees</a> …29Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous. 30<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">And</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legete (V-PIA-2P) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">you say,</a> <a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: Ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">‘If</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ēmetha (V-IIM-1P) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">we had lived</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tais (Art-DFP) -- 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/2250.htm" title="2250: hēmerais (N-DFP) -- A day, the period from sunrise to sunset. ">days</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmōn (PPro-G1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">of our</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."></a> <a href="/greek/3962.htm" title="3962: paterōn (N-GMP) -- Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a father.">fathers,</a> <a href="/greek/302.htm" title="302: an (Prtcl) -- A primary particle, denoting a supposition, wish, possibility or uncertainty."></a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ēmetha (V-IIM-1P) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">we would not have been</a> <a href="/greek/2844.htm" title="2844: koinōnoi (N-NMP) -- A sharer, partner, companion. From koinos; a sharer, i.e. Associate.">partners</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autōn (PPro-GM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">with them</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in shedding</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DNS) -- 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/129.htm" title="129: haimati (N-DNS) -- Blood, literally, figuratively or specially; by implication, bloodshed, also kindred.">blood</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 the</a> <a href="/greek/4396.htm" title="4396: prophētōn (N-GMP) -- From a compound of pro and phemi; a foreteller; by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet.">prophets.’</a> 31So you testify against yourselves that you are the sons of those who murdered the prophets.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/5-12.htm">Matthew 5:12</a> Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you. <a href="/luke/11-47.htm">Luke 11:47-48</a> 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. <a href="/acts/7-52.htm">Acts 7:52</a> 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— <a href="/hebrews/11-32.htm">Hebrews 11:32-38</a> And 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. ... <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-15.htm">1 Thessalonians 2:15</a> 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, <a href="/romans/11-3.htm">Romans 11:3</a> “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”? <a href="/acts/2-23.htm">Acts 2:23</a> He 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. <a href="/acts/3-14.htm">Acts 3:14-15</a> You 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. <a href="/acts/7-51.htm">Acts 7:51</a> You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did. <a href="/1_john/3-12.htm">1 John 3:12</a> Do 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. <a href="/1_kings/19-10.htm">1 Kings 19:10</a> “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.” <a href="/2_chronicles/24-20.htm">2 Chronicles 24:20-21</a> 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. <a href="/nehemiah/9-26.htm">Nehemiah 9:26</a> 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. <a href="/jeremiah/2-30.htm">Jeremiah 2:30</a> “I have struck your sons in vain; they accepted no discipline. Your own sword has devoured your prophets like a voracious lion.” <a href="/jeremiah/26-23.htm">Jeremiah 26:23</a> 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.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>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.<a href="/matthew/23-34.htm">Matthew 23:34,35</a> 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: … <a href="/matthew/21-35.htm">Matthew 21:35,36</a> And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another… <a href="/2_chronicles/36-15.htm">2 Chronicles 36:15</a> 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:<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/16-17.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/obadiah/1-12.htm">Boast</a> <a href="/matthew/15-2.htm">Fathers</a> <a href="/malachi/3-7.htm">Forefathers</a> <a href="/matthew/19-18.htm">Murder</a> <a href="/revelation/18-4.htm">Partakers</a> <a href="/job/41-6.htm">Partners</a> <a href="/matthew/23-29.htm">Prophets</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-45.htm">Shedding</a> <a href="/matthew/22-24.htm">Time</a> <a href="/matthew/2-18.htm">Wouldn't</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/23-35.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/luke/16-15.htm">Boast</a> <a href="/matthew/23-32.htm">Fathers</a> <a href="/matthew/23-32.htm">Forefathers</a> <a href="/matthew/23-31.htm">Murder</a> <a href="/romans/15-27.htm">Partakers</a> <a href="/luke/5-7.htm">Partners</a> <a href="/matthew/23-31.htm">Prophets</a> <a href="/acts/22-20.htm">Shedding</a> <a href="/matthew/23-39.htm">Time</a> <a href="/mark/3-9.htm">Wouldn't</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 23</div>1. <a href="/matthew/23-1.htm">Jesus admonishes the people to follow good doctrine, not bad examples</a> 5. <a href="/matthew/23-5.htm">His disciples must beware of their ambition.</a> 13. <a href="/matthew/23-13.htm">He denounces eight woes against their hypocrisy and blindness,</a> 34. <a href="/matthew/23-34.htm">and prophesies of the destruction of Jerusalem.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>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.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker of this verse, addressing the scribes and Pharisees, highlighting their hypocrisy. 2. <a href="/topical/s/scribes_and_pharisees.htm">Scribes and Pharisees</a> Jewish religious leaders who are being criticized by Jesus for their self-righteousness and hypocrisy. 3. <a href="/topical/p/prophets.htm">Prophets</a> Messengers of God in the Old Testament who were often persecuted and killed for delivering God's messages. 4. <a href="/topical/f/fathers/ancestors.htm">Fathers/Ancestors</a> Refers to the previous generations of Israelites who rejected and killed the prophets. 5. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The city where many prophets were sent and where Jesus is delivering this message.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/h/hypocrisy_and_self-deception.htm">Hypocrisy and Self-Deception</a> The 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. <a href="/topical/a/acknowledging_our_spiritual_heritage.htm">Acknowledging Our Spiritual Heritage</a> Recognize the sins of our spiritual ancestors and seek to learn from their mistakes rather than repeat them. <a href="/topical/t/true_repentance.htm">True Repentance</a> Genuine repentance involves a change of heart and actions, not just words. We must strive to live out our faith authentically. <a href="/topical/t/the_cost_of_discipleship.htm">The Cost of Discipleship</a> Following Christ may involve standing against cultural or religious norms, just as the prophets did. We must be prepared to face opposition for our faith. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_humility.htm">The Importance of Humility</a> Pride blinds us to our own faults. We must approach God and others with humility, acknowledging our need for His grace.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 23</a> <a href="/q/how_is_'call_no_man_father'_reconciled.htm">(Matthew 23:9) How is 'call no man father' reconciled with traditions that use fatherly titles for clergy?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_jesus_say_not_to_call_anyone_'father'.htm">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)?</a> <a href="/q/joseph's_father__matthew_vs._luke.htm">Who was Joseph's father? (Matthew 1:16 vs. Luke 3:23)</a> <a href="/q/is_vaping_considered_sinful.htm">Who were Josiah's sons?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(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.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>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. <a href="/commentaries/matthew/23-30.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>And καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. you say, λέγετε (legete) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ‘If Εἰ (Ei) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. we had lived ἤμεθα (ēmetha) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle - 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. the ταῖς (tais) Article - Dative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. days ἡμέραις (hēmerais) Noun - Dative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2250.htm">Strong's 2250: </a> A day, the period from sunrise to sunset. of our ἡμῶν (hēmōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. fathers, πατέρων (paterōn) Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3962.htm">Strong's 3962: </a> Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'. we would not have been ἤμεθα (ēmetha) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle - 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. partners κοινωνοὶ (koinōnoi) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2844.htm">Strong's 2844: </a> A sharer, partner, companion. From koinos; a sharer, i.e. Associate. with them αὐτῶν (autōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> 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 <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. the τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. blood αἵματι (haimati) Noun - Dative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_129.htm">Strong's 129: </a> Blood, literally, figuratively or specially; by implication, bloodshed, also kindred. of the τῶν (tōn) Article - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> 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 <a href="/greek/strongs_4396.htm">Strong's 4396: </a> From a compound of pro and phemi; a foreteller; by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/23-30.htm">Matthew 23:30 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/23-30.htm">Matthew 23:30 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/23-30.htm">Matthew 23:30 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/23-30.htm">Matthew 23:30 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/23-30.htm">Matthew 23:30 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/23-30.htm">Matthew 23:30 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/23-30.htm">Matthew 23:30 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/23-30.htm">Matthew 23:30 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/23-30.htm">Matthew 23:30 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/23-30.htm">Matthew 23:30 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/23-30.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 23:30 And say 'If we had lived (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/23-29.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 23:29"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 23:29" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/23-31.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 23:31"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 23:31" /></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>