King James Version

What Does Matthew 23:30 Mean?

Matthew 23:30 in the King James Version says “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 proph...” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

Matthew 23:30 · KJV

Context

28

Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

29

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,

30

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.

31

Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.

32

Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.

Read Matthew 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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 Pharisees' self-assessment reveals dangerous delusion. They imagined themselves morally superior to their prophet-killing ancestors, incapable of such wickedness. Koinōnoi (partakers) means "partners, sharers, participants." They denied they would participate in prophetic bloodshed.

But within days they would crucify the Prophet of prophets, the Messiah Himself. Their imagined moral superiority became evidence of moral blindness. Those most confident they would never commit ancestor's sins are most vulnerable to repeating them—spiritual pride blinds us to our own capacity for evil. Every generation imagines itself more enlightened than previous ones while often committing analogous or worse sins.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jewish tradition recorded numerous prophetic martyrdoms: Isaiah under Manasseh, Urijah under Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 26:20-23), Zechariah under Joash (2 Chronicles 24:20-22). Pharisaic theology emphasized their faithfulness to Torah over apostate ancestors. They saw themselves as Torah's guardians, protecting Israel from past errors. But Jesus exposes this as self-deception—they were about to commit the ultimate prophet-murder: killing God's Son (Matthew 21:33-39).

Reflection Questions

  1. What past Christian failures do you condemn while remaining blind to analogous sins in your own life or generation?
  2. How does confidence that "we would never do that" actually increase vulnerability to committing those very sins?
  3. In what ways does judging past generations create self-righteous blindness to present compromises?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 20 words
καὶ1 of 20

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

λέγετε2 of 20

“say”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Εἰ3 of 20

“If”

G1487

if, whether, that, etc

ἤμεν4 of 20
G1510

i exist (used only when emphatic)

ἐν5 of 20

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ταῖς6 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἡμέραις7 of 20

“the days”

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

τῶν8 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πατέρων9 of 20

“fathers”

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

ἡμῶν10 of 20

“of our”

G2257

of (or from) us

οὐκ11 of 20

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἂν12 of 20

“we would”

G302

whatsoever

ἤμεν13 of 20
G1510

i exist (used only when emphatic)

κοινωνοὶ14 of 20

“partakers”

G2844

a sharer, i.e., associate

αὐτῶν15 of 20

“with them”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐν16 of 20

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ17 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

αἵματι18 of 20

“the blood”

G129

blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k

τῶν19 of 20
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

προφητῶν20 of 20

“of the prophets”

G4396

a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 23:30 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Matthew 23:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 21:35-36Jeremiah 2:30Matthew 23:34-352 Chronicles 36:15

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