King James Version
What Does Matthew 23:32 Mean?
“Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.”
Context
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.
33
Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
34
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:
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(32) **Fill ye up then** **. . .**—The English fails to give the pathetic abruptness of the original: *And ye*—*fill ye up the measure of your fathers.* The thought implied is that which we find in Genesis 15:16, and of which the history of the world offers but too many illustrations. Each generation, as it passes, adds something to the ever-accumulating mass of evil. At last the penalty falls, as though the long-suffering of God had been waiting till the appointed limit had been reached, and the measure of iniquity was at last full.
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
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 23:32 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 23:32
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge