A long condemnation of the religious leaders of the time, honoring the righteous when dead.
Matthew 23:30 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.
Matthew 23:30 And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’
And you say: If we chaired in the times of those fathers of ours, not should we sit still idle, a part of them, companions in the blood of the prophets.
Sitting in judgment is sitting idle, doing nothing.
The main play on words here is completely lost in translation. A repeated verb here has two different meanings "sitting in judgment" and "sitting idle." Jesus seems to use the first meaning for the first occurrence and the second for the second. You won't see anything about "sitting" in the English translations, however. In the KJV, the verb "to be" appeared instead of this "sit" verb so their translation is different, but in more recent translations, using better sources, the error is continued rather than corrected.
The NIV translators were clearly rephrasing the English of the KJV not translating the Greek. This seems to happen a lot in recent Bibles, but this is the starkest example so far in the NIV because it translated the confusing word "partakers" into the verb "taking part."
Another play on words here involves "blood," which implies both "murder" and "kinship." The word translated as "partakers" simply means "companion" from a root word meaning "common." So it is not as ghoulish.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "have" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
- OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "been" existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "fathers" is not shown in the English translation.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "have" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
- OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "been" existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "partakers" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "with" is not the common word usually translated as "with."
- UW - Untranslated Word -- The word "prophets" means "shining light" or "oracle." It is the untranslated Greek word adopted into English.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "have" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "lived" should be something more like "sit in judgment" or "sit idle."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "ancestors" is not shown in the English translation.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "have" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "taken part" should be something more like "sit in judgment" or "sit idle."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "with" is not the common word usually translated as "with."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "in" doesn't exist in the source.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "shedding" should be something more like "companion."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "shedding" is not a participle, but a noun, "companion."
- UW - Untranslated Word -- The word "prophets" means "shining light" or "oracle." It is the untranslated Greek word adopted into English.
And -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
say, -- The word translated as "Say" is the most common word that means "to say," and "to speak," but it also means "to teach," which seems to be the way Christ uses it more frequently. It also has many ancillary meanings such as "to count" ("to number" or like we might say, "to recount" a story) or "to choose for yourself."
If - The "if" here expresses a condition but it means nothing regarding whether that condition is met or not. It also means "if ever" and "whenever."
we -- This is from the first-person, plural form of the verb.
had - (WT) This helping verb "had" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here, which is the simple past.
been -- (OS) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as "been" in the source we use today but it does exist in the source that the KJV translators used. In today's sources, this is a different verb meaning "sit in judgment."
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with," "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
days - The Greek word translated as "days" also means "time," in general, and refers specifically to the "daytime."
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
our -- The "our" is the plural possessive first-person pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of ours."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
fathers, - "Fathers" is the common word that Christ uses to address his own father, though it can mean any male ancestor. Here, the sense is forefathers.
we -- This is from the first-person, plural form of the verb.
would -- "would" is a particle used with verbs to indicate that the action is limited by circumstances or defined by conditions. There is no exact equivalent in English, but it is translated as "possibly," "would have," "might," "should," and "could." This particle usually suggests the subjunctive form of the verb that doesn't appear here.
not - The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It makes a negative statement of fact. If it precedes the verb, it negates the clause, but here in precedes the "would," negating only that concept.
have - (WT) This helping verb "had" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.
been -- (OS) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as "been" in the source we use today but it does exist in the source that the KJV translators used. In today's sources, this is a different verb meaning "sit in judgment."
partakers - (CW) The Greek word translated as "partakers" means "a partner," "a comrade," "a companion," and "a sharer of anything." It is from the Greek word meaning "common." Jesus only uses this word here, in this verse. It is in the same form as the subject of the sentence, so it is equated with the subject "we."
with -- -- (CW) This word "with" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession. However, it can also mean "belonging to," and "part of," which is the sense here.
them - -- The word translated as "them" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with," "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
blood - "Blood" is from the Greek word that means "blood," "bloodshed," and "kinship." Clearly, it is used here because of the double meaning of bloodshed and kinship.
of -- -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
prophets. - -- -- (UW) The Greek word translated as "prophets" means "one who speaks for God," "interpreter" and was the highest level of priesthood in Egypt. Christ uses it to refer not only to divine spokespeople, but their books in the OT. It is from the verb that means "to shine before."
And -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
say, -- The word translated as "Say" is the most common word that means "to say," and "to speak," but it also means "to teach," which seems to be the way Christ uses it more frequently. It also has many ancillary meanings such as "to count" ("to number" or like we might say, "to recount" a story) or "to choose for yourself."
If - The "if" here expresses a condition but it means nothing regarding whether that condition is met or not. It also means "if ever" and "whenever."
we -- This is from the first-person, plural form of the verb.
had - (WT) This helping verb "had" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here, which is the simple past.
lived -- (WW) - - "Lived" is a Greek verb that means to "be seated," "sit," especially of courts, councils, assemblies, etc. The sense of being put in a position of authority as we would say "chair." It also means to "sit still" or "sit idle."
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with," "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
days - The Greek word translated as "days" also means "time," in general, and refers specifically to the "daytime."
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
our -- The "our" is the plural possessive first-person pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of ours."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
ancestors, - "Ancestors" is the common word meaning "father" that Jesus uses to address his own father, though it can mean any male ancestor. Here, the sense is forefathers.
we -- This is from the first-person, plural form of the verb.
would -- "would" is a particle used with verbs to indicate that the action is limited by circumstances or defined by conditions. There is no exact equivalent in English, but it is translated as "possibly," "would have," "might," "should," and "could." This particle usually suggests the subjunctive form of the verb that doesn't appear here.
not - The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It makes a negative statement of fact. If it precedes the verb, it negates the clause, but here it precedes the "would," negating only that concept.
have - (WT) This helping verb "had" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.
taken part -- (WW) "Taken part" is a Greek verb that means to "be seated," "sit," especially of courts, councils, assemblies, etc. The sense of being put in a position of authority as we would say "chair." It also means to "sit still" or "sit idle." This is a good example of how the confusing translation of "partakers" in the KJV leads a worse translation in the NIV. The NIV translators were clearly rephrasing the English of the KJV not translating the Greek.
with -- -- (CW) This word "with" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession. However, it can also mean "belonging to," and "part of," which is the sense here.
them - -- The word translated as "them" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.
in -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "in" in the Greek source.
shedding - (WW, WF) The Greek word translated as "shedding" means "a partner," "a comrade," "a companion," and "a sharer of anything." It is from the Greek word meaning "common." Jesus only uses this word here, in this verse. It is in the same form as the subject of the sentence, so it is equated with the subject "we." Itis a noun, not a participle.
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with," "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
blood - "Blood" is from the Greek word that means "blood," "bloodshed," and "kinship." Clearly, it is used here because of the double meaning of bloodshed and kinship.
of -- -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
prophets. - -- -- (UW) The Greek word translated as "prophets" means "one who speaks for God," "interpreter" and was the highest level of priesthood in Egypt. Christ uses it to refer not only to divine spokespeople, but their books in the OT. It is from the verb that means "to shine before."
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
λέγετε [264 verses](verb 2nd pl pres ind act) "Say" is from lego, which means "to recount," "to tell over," "to say," "to speak," "to teach," "to mean," "boast of," "tell of," "recite," nominate," and "command." It has a secondary meaning "pick out," "choose for oneself," "pick up," "gather," "count," and "recount." A less common word that is spelt the same means "to lay," "to lay asleep" and "to lull asleep."
εἰ [90 verses](conj) "If" is from ei, which is the particle used to express conditions "if" (implying nothing about its fulfillment) or indirect questions, "whether." It also means "if ever," "in case," and "whenever." It is combined with various conjunctions to create derivative conditions.
ἤμεθα [13 verses]( verb 1st pl pres/imperf ind mid) "We had been" is kathemai, which means to "be seated," "sit," especially of courts, councils, assemblies, etc., (as a noun) "the judges," "the court,," "sit still," "sit quiet," "lead a sedentary," "obscure life," and, of things, "to be set or placed."
ἐν [413 verses](prep)"In" is from en, which means "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," and "with." -
ταῖς [821 verses](article pl fem dat) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἡμέραις (noun pl fem dat) "Days" is from hemera, which, as a noun, means "day" "a state or time of life," "a time (poetic)," "day break" and "day time." It is also and also has a second meaning, of "quiet," "tame (animals)," "cultivated (crops)," and "civilized (people)."
τῶν [821 verses](article pl masc gen) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
πατέρων (noun pl masc gen) "Fathers" is from pater, which means "father," "grandfather," "author," "parent," and "forefathers."
ἡμῶν, (pron 1st pl masc gen) "Our" is hemon, which is the plural possessive (genitive) form of the first personal pronoun.
οὐκ [440 verses](conj) "Not" is from ou which is the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. The other negative adverb, μή applies to will and thought; οὐ denies, μή rejects; οὐ is absolute, μή relative; οὐ objective, μή subjective.
ἂν [60 verses](particle) "Should " is an, which is a particle used with verbs to indicate that the action is limited by circumstances or defined by conditions. There is no exact equivalent in English, but it is translated as "possibly," "would have," "might," "should," and "could.
ἤμεθα [13 verses]( verb 1st pl pres/imperf ind mid) "We had been" is kathemai, which means to "be seated," "sit," especially of courts, councils, assemblies, etc., (as a noun) "the judges," "the court," "sit still," "sit quiet," "lead a sedentary," "obscure life," and, of things, "to be set or placed." OR (verb 1st pl perf ind mid) "We have been" is ἧμαι, hemai, a word meaning "to sit still."
αὐτῶν (adj sg masc gen) "With them" is from autos, the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.
κοινωνοὶ [1 verse] (noun pl masc/fem nom) "Partakers" is koinonos, which means "companion," "partner (of thing)," "fellow," "joint-owner," and "familiar spirit."
ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is from en, which means "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," and "with."
τῷ [821 verses](article sg neut dat) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
αἵματι [12 verses](noun sg neut dat) "The blood" is haima, which means "blood," "streams of blood," "anything like blood," "spirit," "courage," "bloodshed," "murder," "blood relationship,"kin," and "kindship."
τῶν [821 verses](article sg neut dat) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
προφητῶν: [37 verses] (noun pl masc gen) "The prophets" is from prophetes, which means "one who speaks for a god and interprets his will," "interpreter," "keepers of the oracle," "the highest level of priesthood in Egypt," "interpreter," and "herald." It is a verb that means "to shine forth" It is a form of the verb, prophao. which means "to shine forth," or "to shine before."
The use of the word "blood" means both "murder" and "bloodshed."
The use of a word implying uncertainty is used in contrast with a
"And you repeat," he continued, switching to the voice in which he mimicked his accusers. "If we had sat in judgment in the days of our forefathers..."
He paused, striking a dignified poss and putting up his hand as if taking an oath.
"Certainly we wouldn't have," he said strongly, then adding weakly after thinking about it. "Maybe."
The crowd laughed and he raised an eyebrow in recognition.
"Sat in judgment with them," he continued. "Sharers..."
He pantomimed someone passing a cup and then someone receiving it.
"In the blood of the prophets," he finished, toasting the audience with the imaginary cup, and taking a drink.
The crowd laughed.