Idleness and indiscipline are not the attitudes for one redeemed by Christ. No one has the right to live off the community and not work for it in some way, however small. Paul concludes his second letter to the Thessalonians by not merely citing this rule-of-thumb. He also proclaims how he has lived by it and is therefore an example to be imitated. Idleness can lead to blaming others and claiming that others, not us, have the responsibility.

It is this attitude that Jesus confronts in the last two 'woes'. His adversaries blame their forebears for killing the prophets. Jesus points the finger at their descendants. They are to blame for they will kill the Prophet Jesus.