The Old Testament idea behind this verse is that God will tolerate only so much sin. Then He will act in judgment (cf. Genesis 6:3; Genesis 6:7; Genesis 15:16; cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16). Here Jesus meant that Israel had committed many sins by killing the prophets. When the Pharisees killed Jesus and His disciples (cf. Matthew 23:34) the cup of God"s wrath would be full, and He would respond in wrath. The destruction of Jerusalem and the worldwide dispersion of the Jews resulted in A.D70. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
Matthew 23:27-39 - Judgment And Lament
True goodness recognizes and rewards good in the living; while the evil-minded cannot, or will not, believe that the people whom they meet daily are purely and sincerely good. They pride themselves on what they would have done if they had lived in the great days of the past, but they miss the opportunities which are always ready to hand. In this they judge and condemn themselves.
How sad is this lament over Jerusalem! The yearning love which longed to intercept her descending judgment, as the hen the stroke of danger which menaces her brood, was about to be withdrawn. After striving His best to save them, the world's Redeemer was abandoning His people to the results of their sin, until the time spoken of in Zechariah 14:1-4. Oh my soul, see that thou art hidden under those wings, until all calamities are overpast and the day has broken! [source]
Chapter Summary: Matthew 23
1Jesus admonishes the people to follow good doctrine, not bad examples 5His disciples must beware of their ambition 13He denounces eight woes against their hypocrisy and blindness, 34and prophesies of the destruction of Jerusalem
Greek Commentary for Matthew 23:32
Fill ye up [πληρωσατε] The keenest irony in this command has been softened in some MSS. to the future indicative “Fill up the measure of your fathers; crown their misdeeds by killing the prophet God has sent to you. Do at last what has long been in your hearts. The hour is come” (Bruce). [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Matthew 23:32
John 2:18Destroy this temple [λύσατε τὸν ναὸν τοῦτον] Destroy, Literally, loosen. Wyc., undo. See on Mark 13:2; see on Luke 9:12; see on Acts 5:38. Notice that the word for temple is ναὸν , sanctuary (see on John 2:14). This temple points to the literal temple, which is truly a temple only as it is the abode of God, hence sanctuary, but with a typical reference to Jesus' own person as the holy dwelling-place of God who “was in Christ.” Compare 1 Corinthians 3:16,1 Corinthians 3:17. Christ's death was therefore the pulling down of the temple, and His resurrection its rebuilding. The imperative in destroy is of the nature of a challenge. Compare fill ye up, Matthew 23:32. [source]
Revelation 6:11That they should rest [ινα αναπαυσονται] Sub-final clause with ινα hina and the future indicative (as in Revelation 3:9; Revelation 6:4) middle rather than the aorist middle subjunctive αναπαυσωνται anapausōntai of Aleph C.Yet for a little time (ετι χρονον μικρον eti chronon mikron). Accusative of extension of time as in Revelation 20:3. Perhaps rest from their cry for vengeance and also rest in peace (Revelation 14:13). For the verb αναπαυω anapauō see note on Matthew 11:28.Until should be fulfilled Future indefinite temporal clause with εως heōs and the first aorist passive subjunctive of πληροω plēroō to fill full (Matthew 23:32; Colossians 2:10), “until be filled full” (the number of), regular Greek idiom.Which should be killed (οι μελλοντες αποκτεννεσται hoi mellontes apoktennesthai). Regular construction of articular present active participle of μελλω mellō (about to be, going to be) with the present passive infinitive of αποκτεννω apoktennō Aeolic and late form for αποκτεινω apokteinō to kill (also in Mark 12:5). John foresees more persecution coming (Revelation 2:10; Revelation 3:10). [source]
Revelation 6:11Until should be fulfilled [εως πληρωτωσιν] Future indefinite temporal clause with εως heōs and the first aorist passive subjunctive of πληροω plēroō to fill full (Matthew 23:32; Colossians 2:10), “until be filled full” (the number of), regular Greek idiom.Which should be killed (οι μελλοντες αποκτεννεσται hoi mellontes apoktennesthai). Regular construction of articular present active participle of μελλω mellō (about to be, going to be) with the present passive infinitive of αποκτεννω apoktennō Aeolic and late form for αποκτεινω apokteinō to kill (also in Mark 12:5). John foresees more persecution coming (Revelation 2:10; Revelation 3:10). [source]
What do the individual words in Matthew 23:32 mean?
Greek Commentary for Matthew 23:32
The keenest irony in this command has been softened in some MSS. to the future indicative “Fill up the measure of your fathers; crown their misdeeds by killing the prophet God has sent to you. Do at last what has long been in your hearts. The hour is come” (Bruce). [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Matthew 23:32
Destroy, Literally, loosen. Wyc., undo. See on Mark 13:2; see on Luke 9:12; see on Acts 5:38. Notice that the word for temple is ναὸν , sanctuary (see on John 2:14). This temple points to the literal temple, which is truly a temple only as it is the abode of God, hence sanctuary, but with a typical reference to Jesus' own person as the holy dwelling-place of God who “was in Christ.” Compare 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 3:17. Christ's death was therefore the pulling down of the temple, and His resurrection its rebuilding. The imperative in destroy is of the nature of a challenge. Compare fill ye up, Matthew 23:32. [source]
First aorist active imperative of αναπληροω anaplēroō to fill up, old word, and see note on Matthew 23:32; note 1 Thessalonians 2:16; and note 1 Corinthians 14:16. Some MSS. have future indicative (αναπληρωσετε anaplērōsete). [source]
Sub-final clause with ινα hina and the future indicative (as in Revelation 3:9; Revelation 6:4) middle rather than the aorist middle subjunctive αναπαυσωνται anapausōntai of Aleph C.Yet for a little time (ετι χρονον μικρον eti chronon mikron). Accusative of extension of time as in Revelation 20:3. Perhaps rest from their cry for vengeance and also rest in peace (Revelation 14:13). For the verb αναπαυω anapauō see note on Matthew 11:28.Until should be fulfilled Future indefinite temporal clause with εως heōs and the first aorist passive subjunctive of πληροω plēroō to fill full (Matthew 23:32; Colossians 2:10), “until be filled full” (the number of), regular Greek idiom.Which should be killed (οι μελλοντες αποκτεννεσται hoi mellontes apoktennesthai). Regular construction of articular present active participle of μελλω mellō (about to be, going to be) with the present passive infinitive of αποκτεννω apoktennō Aeolic and late form for αποκτεινω apokteinō to kill (also in Mark 12:5). John foresees more persecution coming (Revelation 2:10; Revelation 3:10). [source]
Future indefinite temporal clause with εως heōs and the first aorist passive subjunctive of πληροω plēroō to fill full (Matthew 23:32; Colossians 2:10), “until be filled full” (the number of), regular Greek idiom.Which should be killed (οι μελλοντες αποκτεννεσται hoi mellontes apoktennesthai). Regular construction of articular present active participle of μελλω mellō (about to be, going to be) with the present passive infinitive of αποκτεννω apoktennō Aeolic and late form for αποκτεινω apokteinō to kill (also in Mark 12:5). John foresees more persecution coming (Revelation 2:10; Revelation 3:10). [source]