Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
Ver. 34. Wherefore, behold, I send you] Oh the infinite goodness of God, in striving by his Spirit with refractory sinners in the use of the means, waiting their return!
" Sed pensare solet vi graviore moram. "
Prophets, wise men, and scribes] That is, apostles, pastors, and teachers, Ephesians 4:11, whom he here calleth by the customary names of that country. Scribe was an honourable name, till Pharisees dishonested it by their hypocrisy.
Ye shall kill and crucify] If therefore we have not yet resisted unto blood, be content with lighter crosses, and look for heavier. Omnis Christianus crucianus. (Luther.) It is but a delicacy to divide between Christ and his cross.