23:34 “For this reason I 1 am sending you prophets and wise men and experts in the law, 2 some of whom you will kill and crucify, 3 and some you will flog 4 in your synagogues 5 and pursue from town to town, 23:35 so that on you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, 6 whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.
2:30 “It did no good for me to punish your people.
They did not respond to such correction.
You slaughtered your prophets
like a voracious lion.” 9
1 tn Grk “behold I am sending.” The Greek word ἰδού (idou) has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1).
2 tn Or “scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 2:4.
3 sn See the note on crucified in 20:19.
4 tn BDAG 620 s.v. μαστιγόω 1.a states, “of flogging as a punishment decreed by the synagogue (Dt 25:2f; s. the Mishna Tractate Sanhedrin-Makkoth, edited w. notes by SKrauss ’33) w. acc. of pers. Mt 10:17; 23:34.”
5 sn See the note on synagogues in 4:23.
6 sn Spelling of this name (Βαραχίου, Baraciou) varies among the English versions: “Barachiah” (RSV, NRSV); “Berechiah” (NASB); “Berachiah” (NIV).
7 sn The image of the tenants mistreating the owner’s slaves pictures the nation’s rejection of the prophets and their message.
8 tn Grk “the village lying before you” (BDAG 530 s.v. κατέναντι 2.b).
9 tn Heb “Your sword devoured your prophets like a destroying lion.” However, the reference to the sword in this and many similar idioms is merely idiomatic for death by violent means.