Matthew 23:34 - Therefore behold, I send to you prophets, wise men, and scribes. Some of them you will kill and crucify; and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city;
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What does "Matthew 23:34" mean?
This verse, Matthew 23:34, is part of a longer condemnation of the Pharisees and teachers of the law by Jesus. He's essentially predicting the fate of those he will send to continue his message after his ascension. Let's break it down:
"Therefore behold, I send to you prophets, wise men, and scribes."
"Therefore": This connects back to the preceding verses where Jesus has been denouncing the hypocrisy and spiritual blindness of the Pharisees and teachers of the law. He is speaking of the consequences of their actions and attitudes.
"I send to you": Jesus is indicating that he is the one commissioning these messengers. This is an act of authority and points to his divine role. It implies that these messengers are acting on his behalf.
"Prophets, wise men, and scribes": These are representatives of those who will carry on Jesus' message.
Prophets: Individuals who speak God's word and challenge injustice, similar to the Old Testament prophets. They are likely those who boldly proclaim the gospel and call for repentance.
Wise men: Those with spiritual insight and understanding, able to teach and guide others. They possess wisdom beyond mere intellectual knowledge, wisdom rooted in God.
Scribes: Not necessarily scribes in the traditional sense (copying scriptures). Rather, it refers to those capable of interpreting and teaching the Law and Jesus' teachings.
He is foretelling the sending of those who will spread the Gospel and teach his message to the world after his ascension.
"Some of them you will kill and crucify; and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city;"
"Some of them you will kill and crucify": This is a stark prediction of the persecution that the early Christians will face.
"Kill and crucify": These are methods of execution, indicating the severity of the opposition. Crucifixion was a Roman method, showing that the persecution would come from both Jewish authorities and Roman authorities.
"Scourge in your synagogues": This refers to the practice of public flogging or whipping, a form of punishment within the Jewish community.
"Synagogues": These were places of worship and community gathering for Jews. The fact that these acts would occur there emphasizes the betrayal and rejection by those who should have been receptive to the message.
"Persecute from city to city": The persecution will be widespread and relentless, forcing these messengers to flee from one place to another. This points to a systematic effort to suppress the spread of Jesus' teachings.
In essence, this verse serves as a prophecy of the future treatment of Jesus' followers. He is telling the Pharisees and teachers of the law that their rejection of him will lead to persecution of those he sends to continue his work. It foreshadows the suffering and martyrdom that many early Christians would endure for their faith. It is a powerful indictment of religious hypocrisy and a testament to the opposition that truth will face. It also emphasizes the courage and faithfulness of those who would carry on Jesus' message despite the risks.
Matthew 23:34 - Therefore behold, I send to you prophets, wise men, and scribes. Some of them you will kill and crucify; and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city;
What does "Matthew 23:34" mean?
This verse, Matthew 23:34, is part of a longer condemnation of the Pharisees and teachers of the law by Jesus. He's essentially predicting the fate of those he will send to continue his message after his ascension. Let's break it down:
"Therefore behold, I send to you prophets, wise men, and scribes."
"Therefore": This connects back to the preceding verses where Jesus has been denouncing the hypocrisy and spiritual blindness of the Pharisees and teachers of the law. He is speaking of the consequences of their actions and attitudes.
"I send to you": Jesus is indicating that he is the one commissioning these messengers. This is an act of authority and points to his divine role. It implies that these messengers are acting on his behalf.
"Prophets, wise men, and scribes": These are representatives of those who will carry on Jesus' message.
Prophets: Individuals who speak God's word and challenge injustice, similar to the Old Testament prophets. They are likely those who boldly proclaim the gospel and call for repentance.
Wise men: Those with spiritual insight and understanding, able to teach and guide others. They possess wisdom beyond mere intellectual knowledge, wisdom rooted in God.
Scribes: Not necessarily scribes in the traditional sense (copying scriptures). Rather, it refers to those capable of interpreting and teaching the Law and Jesus' teachings.
He is foretelling the sending of those who will spread the Gospel and teach his message to the world after his ascension.
"Some of them you will kill and crucify; and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city;"
"Some of them you will kill and crucify": This is a stark prediction of the persecution that the early Christians will face.
"Kill and crucify": These are methods of execution, indicating the severity of the opposition. Crucifixion was a Roman method, showing that the persecution would come from both Jewish authorities and Roman authorities.
"Scourge in your synagogues": This refers to the practice of public flogging or whipping, a form of punishment within the Jewish community.
"Synagogues": These were places of worship and community gathering for Jews. The fact that these acts would occur there emphasizes the betrayal and rejection by those who should have been receptive to the message.
"Persecute from city to city": The persecution will be widespread and relentless, forcing these messengers to flee from one place to another. This points to a systematic effort to suppress the spread of Jesus' teachings.
In essence, this verse serves as a prophecy of the future treatment of Jesus' followers. He is telling the Pharisees and teachers of the law that their rejection of him will lead to persecution of those he sends to continue his work. It foreshadows the suffering and martyrdom that many early Christians would endure for their faith. It is a powerful indictment of religious hypocrisy and a testament to the opposition that truth will face. It also emphasizes the courage and faithfulness of those who would carry on Jesus' message despite the risks.