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.
Matthew 23:35
In Matthew 23, Jesus pronounces woes on the scribes and Pharisees, highlighting how their leadership tracks a long history of bloodshed among God’s people. Verse 35 draws a cumulative, forensic line: from Abel’s innocent blood to the righteous Zechariah, slain between the temple and altar. This is not just a list of victims; it signals a complete indictment of unfaithful leadership. Abel’s blood, in Genesis 4, represents the earliest murder by a brother against a brother, a foundational human violence; Zechariah’s blood (the son of Barachiah) is referenced in 2 Chronicles 24:20-22 as a righteous servant slain by the people’s leaders. By naming “from Abel to Zechariah,” Jesus covers the span of Israel’s history. The location “between the temple and the altar” underscores the hypocrisy: even when piety is performed in sacred space, murder and injustice can still be at work. The verse is a call to conscience—Jesus is saying the leaders are responsible for systemic shedding of righteous blood, not merely individual sins.
Theologically, the verse anchors the seriousness of human sin within God’s judgments. It shows that religious authority absent repentance becomes complicit in bloodshed, breaking God’s commandment against murder and justice. It also reflects the biblical motif of judgment: the blood of the righteous cries out from the ground (cf. Genesis 4:10). By referencing Abel and Zechariah, Jesus demonstrates that God notices and records injustice across generations, not just a single act. The verse foreshadows the larger judgment narrative culminating in the New Covenant, where true righteousness is not merely external ritual but a transformed heart. It also frames prophetic rejection as a chronic pattern: God’s messengers are often killed by those who claim to adore worship but deny justice. Care for the vulnerable, truth-telling, and faithful leadership become non-negotiable aspects of true piety.
Today, this verse invites self-examination in church leadership and in our own lives. Do we prioritize tradition or comfort over justice? Are there patterns of intolerance, corruption, or silence in the face of abuse—whether within congregations, institutions, or systems—that resemble “bloodshed” despite outward piety? Practical steps: cultivate transparent accountability, protect the vulnerable, and name wrongdoing without fear of losing status. If you’re in leadership, model humility, confess when you’ve harmed others, and pursue restorative justice. If you’re a member, advocate for ethical standards, support whistleblowers, and resist rationalizing harmful practices in the name of “keeping peace.” Remember Abel and Zechariah: innocent blood cries out to God, and he calls us to oppose violence in all its forms, especially when it masquerades as religion. The cross-shape of the Gospel teaches that true spirituality reconciles, not retaliates; it seeks justice and mercy together.
Cross-References: Genesis 4:10; 2 Chronicles 24:20-22; Luke 11:51; Hebrews 11:4; James 5:6