Part I. The motif of the rejection of the prophets. Introduction to the motif: the rejection of the prophets and the Deuteronomistic perspective -- The rejection of the prophets in Jewish literature -- The rejection of the prophets in the New Testament -- Part II. The rejection of the prophets in Matthew. Matthew's understanding of the Bible -- John the Baptist as the penultimate rejected prophet -- Jesus as the ultimate rejected prophet -- Jesus' disciples as future rejected prophets -- The parable of the wicked tenant farmers (Matthew 21:33-46) -- Jesus before Pilate: the "blood libel" (Matthew 27:11-26) -- Part III. Jesus and the Jewish leaders in Matthew 23. An introduction to Matthew 23 -- Exegetical commentary on Matthew 23 -- The crucial text: Matthew 23:32 -- Conclusion