Matthew 23:35

That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

That {G3704} upon {G1909} you {G5209} may come {G2064} all {G3956} the righteous {G1342} blood {G129} shed {G1632} upon {G1909} the earth {G1093}, from {G575} the blood {G129} of righteous {G1342} Abel {G6} unto {G2193} the blood {G129} of Zacharias {G2197} son {G5207} of Barachias {G914}, whom {G3739} ye slew {G5407} between {G3342} the temple {G3485} and {G2532} the altar {G2379}.

And so, on you will fall the guilt for all the innocent blood that has ever been shed on earth, from the blood of innocent Hevel to the blood of Z'kharyah Ben-Berekhyah, whom you murdered between the Temple and the altar.

And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.

that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of Abel the righteous unto the blood of Zachariah son of Barachiah, whom ye slew between the sanctuary and the altar.

Commentary

In Matthew 23:35, Jesus delivers a powerful and scathing indictment against the scribes and Pharisees, pronouncing a severe judgment upon them for their hypocrisy and their persecution of God's messengers. This verse concludes a series of "woes" directed at these religious leaders.

Context

This verse is part of Jesus' final public discourse in Jerusalem before His passion, recorded in Matthew chapter 23. He exposes the spiritual bankruptcy of the religious establishment, who outwardly appeared righteous but inwardly were full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. Jesus condemns their rejection of true righteousness and their historical pattern of persecuting the prophets and righteous individuals sent by God. The phrase "That upon you may come" signifies a cumulative judgment, a reckoning for the historical rejection and murder of God's messengers, culminating in their imminent rejection and crucifixion of Christ Himself.

Key Themes

  • Cumulative Guilt and Judgment: Jesus declares that the current generation of religious leaders will bear the guilt for all the righteous blood shed throughout history. This is not about individual guilt for ancient acts, but a corporate responsibility for perpetuating a spirit of rebellion against God's truth and His messengers. Their actions signify the culmination of a long history of rejecting divine revelation.
  • Persecution of the Righteous: The verse highlights a consistent theme in biblical history: the world's hostility towards those who speak God's truth.
    • Abel: The mention of righteous Abel, slain by his brother Cain (Genesis 4:8), marks the beginning of this tragic lineage of martyrs. Abel's offering was acceptable to God, leading to Cain's jealous rage.
    • Zacharias son of Barachias: This refers to a specific martyr whose death is vividly described. While the exact identity has been debated by scholars, the most widely accepted biblical reference is to Zechariah son of Jehoiada, who was stoned to death in the court of the Lord's house at the command of King Joash (2 Chronicles 24:20-21). His death is particularly significant because it marks the last recorded martyrdom in the historical books of the Old Testament, representing the end of the Hebrew canon's chronological sequence of martyrs. The location "between the temple and the altar" emphasizes the sacrilege of the act.
  • Rejection of God's Messengers: The core issue is the persistent refusal to heed God's warnings and accept His prophets. This rejection ultimately leads to the rejection of Jesus Himself, God's ultimate messenger (John 1:11).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "righteous blood" (Greek: haima dikaios) underscores the innocence and uprightness of those who were persecuted. It highlights that their suffering was not due to their own wrongdoing but because of their faithfulness to God. The term "slew" (Greek: ephoneusate) is a strong verb indicating violent murder, emphasizing the severity of the acts committed against these messengers.

Practical Application

While this verse is a specific judgment on a particular generation, its principles hold timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Accountability: It reminds us that there are consequences for persistent rebellion against God and His truth. While not inheriting literal guilt, we are responsible for how we respond to God's word and His messengers in our own time.
  • The Cost of Discipleship: Throughout history, following God has often involved facing opposition and persecution. This verse implicitly points to the long line of those who paid the ultimate price for their faith, encouraging believers to stand firm in their convictions, even in the face of adversity (2 Timothy 3:12).
  • Recognizing True Authority: Jesus' condemnation of the religious leaders serves as a warning against spiritual pride and hypocrisy. True spiritual authority is marked by humility, obedience to God's word, and genuine love, not by outward appearance or position.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Zechariah 1:1 (9 votes)

    ¶ In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,

  • Hebrews 11:4 (8 votes)

    ¶ By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

  • 2 Chronicles 24:20 (8 votes)

    And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you.

  • 2 Chronicles 24:22 (8 votes)

    Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said, The LORD look upon [it], and require [it].

  • Genesis 4:8 (7 votes)

    ¶ And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

  • Revelation 18:24 (5 votes)

    And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

  • 2 Kings 24:4 (4 votes)

    And also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the LORD would not pardon.