Matthew 23:30

30 and you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we wouldn't have taken part with them in shedding the prophets' blood.' ^[a]

Matthew 23:30 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 23:30

And say, if we had been in the days of our fathers
Their ancestors and predecessors: signifying, that if they had lived in the times they did, or had been in the same post and office with them, they should have opposed, at least not consented to their measures: we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the
prophets;
would not have joined them in persecuting the prophets, and in shedding their blood, and putting them to death; but would have received them as the prophets of the Lord, have hearkened to their advice and message, and have honoured and obeyed them as such; and this they thought they sufficiently declared, by building and adorning their tombs.

Matthew 23:30 In-Context

28 In the same way, on the outside you seem righteous to people, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

29 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous,

30 and you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we wouldn't have taken part with them in shedding the prophets' blood.'

31 You therefore testify against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets.

32 Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers' sins!

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets