Matthew 23:31
Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.
Original Language Analysis
ὥστε
Wherefore
G5620
ὥστε
Wherefore
Strong's:
G5620
Word #:
1 of 10
so too, i.e., thus therefore (in various relations of consecution, as follow)
μαρτυρεῖτε
ye be witnesses
G3140
μαρτυρεῖτε
ye be witnesses
Strong's:
G3140
Word #:
2 of 10
to be a witness, i.e., testify (literally or figuratively)
ἑαυτοῖς
unto yourselves
G1438
ἑαυτοῖς
unto yourselves
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
3 of 10
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
4 of 10
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
υἱοί
the children
G5207
υἱοί
the children
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
5 of 10
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 10
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
Jewish understanding of corporate identity included both biological descent and spiritual succession. "Sons of Abraham" could mean either genetic lineage or faith-following (John 8:39-44). Jesus earlier told these same Pharisees, "You are of your father the devil" (John 8:44). Here He says they're sons of prophet-killers. The temple-building, tomb-garnishing, Torah-obsessed religious leaders were actually spiritual descendants of Israel's worst apostates—those who murdered God's messengers.
Questions for Reflection
- How do your defenses and justifications sometimes serve as unwitting confessions of the very sins you deny?
- What does it mean to be a spiritual "child" of someone—how do we inherit the sins we condemn in previous generations?
- In what ways does elaborate religious activity (like tomb-building) camouflage hard-hearted resistance to God's current word?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets (μαρτυρεῖτε ἑαυτοῖς ὅτι υἱοί ἐστε τῶν φονευσάντων τοὺς προφήτας)—Jesus turns their self-defense into self-incrimination. Martyreite (witness) is legal terminology; they've testified against themselves. Huioi (sons/children) means both physical descendants and spiritual heirs—they share their ancestors' nature.
By claiming "we wouldn't have done it," they unwittingly confess they are indeed sons of murderers—they have the same hardened hearts, the same resistance to God's messengers, the same religious pride. Their elaborate tomb-building unconsciously testifies: "Our fathers killed prophets, and we're their spiritual descendants." Jesus forces them to see what their actions prove: they're chips off the old murderous block.