What does Matthew 23:31 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 23:31 is a verse that captures Jesus' condemnation of the hypocrisy and false righteousness of the Pharisees and scribes.

In this verse, Jesus points out to them that by building the tombs of the prophets and decorating the graves of the righteous, they were actually testifying against themselves.

Essentially, Jesus is saying that they are identifying themselves as descendants of those who murdered the prophets by upholding the same attitudes and actions that led their ancestors to commit those very acts.

The deeper meaning here is one of unconscious self-incrimination.

By claiming to honor the prophets while simultaneously rejecting Jesus and his message, they were actually aligning themselves with those who historically resisted God's messengers.

Historical Context

The historical context of Matthew 23:31 is rooted in the cultural and religious life of first-century Judaism.

The Pharisees and scribes held significant religious authority and were known for their strict adherence to the Torah and traditions.

Jesus often criticized them for their outward piety that masked their internal corruption and failure to understand the true spirit of God's law.

The Pharisees and scribes claimed to revere the prophets of old while failing to recognize that Jesus continued in the prophetic tradition.

In their rejection of Jesus, they were perpetuating the cycle of persecution and violence against God's messengers, which had been part of their history.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, Matthew 23:31 underscores the notion of accountability and the danger of unexamined tradition.

It suggests that mere outward respect for God's servants is meaningless if one's actions betray the teachings of those same individuals.

Furthermore, the verse supports the view that Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophetic tradition, and the religious leaders' failure to recognize him as such is emblematic of their spiritual blindness.

Practical Applications

Practically speaking, Matthew 23:31 urges believers to examine their own actions and intentions. It warns against the temptation to honor God's message in word while denying it in deed.

This verse challenges individuals to live authentically, ensuring that their practices are consistent with their professed beliefs and to be mindful not to repeat the mistakes of their forebears.

Cross-References

• Matthew 23:29-30: "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous," and say, "If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets."
• 1 Thessalonians 2:15: "Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, important words to examine include:

• "Witnesses" (μάρτυρες, martyres) which also means "martyrs" in Greek, indicating those who bear testimony even unto death.
• "Ye be" (ἐστέ, este) is the present indicative form of "to be," suggesting a current and ongoing state.
• "Children" (υἱοί, huios) could refer not only to literal offspring but also to those who follow in the ways or spirit of their ancestors.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the broader cultural and religious context, this condemnation resembles the narratives found in other traditions where a cycle of rejecting prophets or divine messages is noted. For example, in Islamic tradition, there's also the notion of people rejecting prophets sent by God.

Additionally, other ancient myths may highlight the idea of a repeated history of failures or a failure to learn from past mistakes.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, Matthew 23:31 may be discussed in terms of the psychology of denial and cognitive dissonance.

These concepts describe the discomfort that is experienced when people are confronted with actions or beliefs that contradict their self-image or professed values, leading to either a change in behavior to align with professed beliefs or a rationalization of the behavior to reduce the psychological discomfort.

Commentaries

Various Bible commentaries offer insights into Matthew 23:31.

Matthew Henry's Commentary emphasizes the self-deception of the Pharisees, who thought they would have behaved differently than their ancestors when, in fact, they were headed down the same path.

The Expositor's Bible Commentary points out that the Pharisees' actions in building the tombs of the prophets indirectly acknowledged that their ancestors were indeed the murderers of the prophets, yet they did not truly learn from that acknowledgement.

John Gill's Exposition of the Bible reflects on how the Pharisees, and all men, may have an outward respect for godly men of the past while implicitly, or explicitly, opposing the prophets and ministers of their own time.