King James Version

What Does Matthew 23:34 Mean?

Matthew 23:34 in the King James Version says “Wherefore , behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and... — study this verse from Matthew chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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:

Matthew 23:34 · KJV


Context

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:

35

That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

36

Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes (ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω πρὸς ὑμᾶς προφήτας καὶ σοφοὺς καὶ γραμματεῖς)—Jesus's "I send" reveals His divine prerogative to commission messengers. Apostello (send) is used of God sending prophets in the OT. He will send New Covenant ministers: apostles/prophets (Ephesians 4:11), wise men (teachers), and scribes (those trained in Scripture, like Matthew himself—13:52).

Some of them ye shall kill and crucify... scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city—Jesus prophesies the apostolic martyrdoms: James beheaded (Acts 12:2), Stephen stoned (Acts 7), tradition says Peter crucified, Paul beheaded. The synagogue scourgings fulfilled literally (2 Corinthians 11:24—Paul received 39 lashes five times). This proves the Pharisees are prophet-killers like their fathers—they'll do to apostles what ancestors did to prophets.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jewish law permitted 39 lashes for serious offenses (Deuteronomy 25:3). Synagogue rulers administered this. Acts records repeated apostolic persecution by Jewish authorities: imprisonment, beatings, attempted stonings. Paul's letters detail his sufferings from Jewish opponents (2 Corinthians 11:23-27). The predicted pattern fulfilled precisely—demonstrating Jesus's prophetic authority and the religious establishment's unchanged heart. The generation that killed Jesus killed His apostles, filling up the measure.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus's claim to personally send prophets, wise men, and scribes demonstrate His divine authority?
  2. What does the pattern of religious persecution of God's messengers teach about the danger of institutionalized religion without regenerate hearts?
  3. How do we participate in this pattern when we resist, marginalize, or silence prophetic voices that challenge our comfort?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 32 words
διὰ1 of 32

Wherefore

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τοῦτο2 of 32
G5124

that thing

ἰδού,3 of 32

behold

G2400

used as imperative lo!

ἐγὼ4 of 32

I

G1473

i, me

ἀποστέλλω5 of 32

send

G649

set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively

πρὸς6 of 32

unto

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

ὑμᾶς7 of 32

you

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

προφήτας8 of 32

prophets

G4396

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

καὶ9 of 32

and

G2532

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

σοφοὺς10 of 32

wise men

G4680

wise (in a most general application)

καὶ11 of 32

and

G2532

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

γραμματεῖς·12 of 32

scribes

G1122

a professional writer

καὶ13 of 32

and

G2532

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

ἐξ14 of 32

some of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

αὐτῶν15 of 32

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

ἀποκτενεῖτε16 of 32

ye shall kill

G615

to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy

καὶ17 of 32

and

G2532

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

σταυρώσετε18 of 32

crucify

G4717

to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish (subdue) passion or selfishness

καὶ19 of 32

and

G2532

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

ἐξ20 of 32

some of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

αὐτῶν21 of 32

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

μαστιγώσετε22 of 32

shall ye scourge

G3146

to flog (literally or figuratively)

ἐν23 of 32

in

G1722

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

ταῖς24 of 32
G3588

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

συναγωγαῖς25 of 32

synagogues

G4864

an assemblage of persons; specially, a jewish "synagogue" (the meeting or the place); by analogy, a christian church

ὑμῶν26 of 32

your

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

καὶ27 of 32

and

G2532

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

διώξετε28 of 32

persecute

G1377

compare the base of g1169 and g1249); to pursue (literally or figuratively); by implication, to persecute

ἀπὸ29 of 32

them from

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

πόλιν·30 of 32

city

G4172

a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)

εἰς31 of 32

to

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

πόλιν·32 of 32

city

G4172

a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)


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 23:34 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 23:34 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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