2/253-254 — Preferment and disagreement
"Those messengers: We preferred some of them above others… Had God willed, those who came after them would not have fought one another after the clear proofs had come to them. But they differed."
The verse is the continuation of verse 213 and says the same thing: disagreement arises not from a lack of proof but after the proof. In both verses the same clause occurs — min baʿdi mā jāʾathumu'l-bayyināt.
فَضَّلْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ — a difference of degree among the prophets is spoken of, but the difference is not enumerated: who is superior and on what ground is not detailed. At verse 285 of the sūra it will be said lā nufarriqu bayna aḥadin min rusulih (we make no distinction between any of His messengers). The two verses are read together: a difference of degree is stated, but that difference is not made a ground for taking sides.
"…spend of what We have provided you before a day comes in which there is no trading, no friendship and no intercession."
Three words enumerate three mechanisms that work in this world: بَيْع (to pay a price and receive), خُلَّة (getting things done through friendship), شَفَاعَة (putting someone in between). All three are lifted for that day.
And the command to spend is placed before this trio: what is to be done today with what is at hand takes the place of what cannot be done on that day.