← Back to Search

Matthew 23:31

Made Simple — Modern English Translation

Translated by Verse Made Simple Editorial
KJV ORIGINAL
Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE

So you're basically admitting that you're the kids of the people who murdered the prophets.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

Sometimes we accidentally confess to being part of the problem we're criticizing.

📚 Historical Context

In the context of Matthew 23, Jesus is delivering a series of sharp criticisms, known as woes, against the scribes and Pharisees in Jerusalem during His final days of ministry, exposing their hypocrisy and self-righteousness. This verse specifically accuses them of acknowledging their spiritual lineage to those who killed the prophets, as they honor the prophets' tombs while continuing the same pattern of rejecting God's messengers. Historically, this reflects the ongoing tension in Jewish history where religious leaders often opposed true prophets sent by God, a theme seen in the Old Testament narratives of figures like Jeremiah and Isaiah.

Ask the AI Assistant

Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.

Share or Save