23:1–39 Some regard this chapter as another discourse (making six discourses rather than five; Introduction: Characteristics and Themes), or as part of the eschatological discourse in chs. 24; 25. However, it is not concluded by the phrase that closes the other discourses (“when Jesus had finished all these sayings”). It continues Jesus’ prophetic activity of delivering oracles of woe to the unfaithful leaders of Israel (vv. 13–36 note). It is related to the following discourse in that it provides the reason for the doom of Jerusalem, announced in the language of Old Testament prophecy.