Matthew 23:34
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:
Original Language Analysis
διὰ
Wherefore
G1223
διὰ
Wherefore
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
1 of 32
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
ἀποστέλλω
send
G649
ἀποστέλλω
send
Strong's:
G649
Word #:
5 of 32
set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
6 of 32
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,
προφήτας
prophets
G4396
προφήτας
prophets
Strong's:
G4396
Word #:
8 of 32
a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐξ
some of
G1537
ἐξ
some of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
14 of 32
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
αὐτῶν
them
G846
αὐτῶν
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
15 of 32
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
ἀποκτενεῖτε
ye shall kill
G615
ἀποκτενεῖτε
ye shall kill
Strong's:
G615
Word #:
16 of 32
to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
σταυρώσετε
crucify
G4717
σταυρώσετε
crucify
Strong's:
G4717
Word #:
18 of 32
to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish (subdue) passion or selfishness
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐξ
some of
G1537
ἐξ
some of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
20 of 32
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
αὐτῶν
them
G846
αὐτῶν
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
21 of 32
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
ταῖς
G3588
ταῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
συναγωγαῖς
synagogues
G4864
συναγωγαῖς
synagogues
Strong's:
G4864
Word #:
25 of 32
an assemblage of persons; specially, a jewish "synagogue" (the meeting or the place); by analogy, a christian church
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
27 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
διώξετε
persecute
G1377
διώξετε
persecute
Strong's:
G1377
Word #:
28 of 32
compare the base of g1169 and g1249); to pursue (literally or figuratively); by implication, to persecute
ἀπὸ
them from
G575
ἀπὸ
them from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
29 of 32
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
Cross References
Matthew 13:52Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.Colossians 1:28Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:Acts 13:1Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.Matthew 10:23But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's claim to personally send prophets, wise men, and scribes demonstrate His divine authority?
- What does the pattern of religious persecution of God's messengers teach about the danger of institutionalized religion without regenerate hearts?
- How do we participate in this pattern when we resist, marginalize, or silence prophetic voices that challenge our comfort?
Related Resources
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Analysis & 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.