46
Jesus said, "How horrible it will be for you experts in Moses' Teachings! You burden people with loads that are hard to carry. But you won't lift a finger to carry any of these loads.
47
"How horrible it will be for you! You build the monuments for the prophets. But it was your ancestors who murdered them.
48
So you are witnesses and approve of what your ancestors did. They murdered the prophets for whom you build monuments.
49
That's why the Wisdom of God said, 'I will send them prophets and apostles. They will murder some of those prophets and apostles and persecute others.'
50
So the people living now will be charged with the murder of every prophet since the world was made.
51
This includes the murders from Abel to Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the temple. Yes, I can guarantee this truth: The people living today will be held responsible for this.
52
"How horrible it will be for you experts in Moses' Teachings! You have taken away the key that unlocks knowledge. You haven't gained entrance into [knowledge] yourselves, and you've kept out those who wanted to enter."
53
When Jesus left, the scribes and the Pharisees held a terrible grudge against him. They questioned him about many things
54
and watched him closely to trap him in something he might say.