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Explanation for:
Matthew
23
:
35
That upon you may come all the just blood that hath been shed upon the earth, from the blood of Abel the just, even unto the blood of Zacharias the son of Barachias, whom you killed between the temple and the altar.
10
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"There is no uncertainty regarding Abel, as he is the one who was slain by his brother Cain. He is referred to as righteous, not only due to the Lord’s mention but also confirmed by the account in Genesis, where it states that God accepted his offerings. There is a question about the identity of Zechariah, son of Barachiah, as there are many Zechariahs recorded. To prevent confusion, it clarifies that he was killed between the temple and the altar. Different scholars have provided various interpretations. Some identify Zechariah, son of Barachiah, as the eleventh of the twelve prophets, supported by his paternal name; however, the Scriptures do not mention his death in that context. Others suggest that this Zechariah refers to the father of John the Baptist, citing certain apocryphal writings, claiming he was killed for proclaiming the arrival of the Messiah. As this claim lacks strong support in the Holy Scriptures, it is dismissed as quickly as it is asserted. A third view holds that this refers to the Zechariah who was martyred by King Joash, as chronicled in the Kings narrative. It is important to note, however, that this Zechariah was not the son of Barachiah but rather the son of the priest Jehoiada. Thus, the Scripture states that Joash forgot the good deeds of his father Jehoiada. Although we acknowledge Zechariah and agree on the location of his death, there arises the question of why he is called the son of Barachiah instead of Jehoiada. In our language, Barachiah translates to \\"blessed of the Lord,\\" while the priest Jehoiada's name means “righteous” in Hebrew. The Gospel used by the Nazarenes substitutes \\"son of Barachiah\\" with \\"son of Ioyad.\\" Among us, simpler brethren point to red stones amidst the ruins of the temple and altar, or at the entrance of the gate leading to Siloam, believing they are stained with the blood of Zechariah. Yet, let us not judge their misconceptions, which stem from animosity toward the Jews and sincere faith."},{"author-name":"Ephraem the Syrian","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88b589fc3e99eb7bb1839_Ephraem%20the%20Syrian.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"It is believed by some that Zechariah was murdered for protecting Mary in the temple’s secluded area, where a group of consecrated virgins resided. Others contend that he met his end before the altar, in fulfillment of the Lord’s words, because when he was pressed for a son during the slaughter of the innocents, he escaped into the wilderness for safety."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Observe the extent of Christ's warnings to them. He said, \\"You condemn your ancestors, claiming you would not share in their deeds,\\" thereby bringing them significant shame. He continued with the assertion that, in judging them, they were guilty of even greater wrongdoing, which further served to humiliate them. Ultimately, He declared, \\"This will not go unpunished,\\" instilling them with great fear by reminding them of Gehenna. Yet, since Gehenna felt distant to them, Christ highlighted their current tribulations, stating, \\"All these things shall come upon this generation.\\" He explicitly associated the gravest misfortunes with judgment, indicating they would endure the severest consequences of all, yet none of this led them to improve. When questioned about the reason for their harsh punishment, one could assert that their cruelty and transgressions exceeded all others, with no prior experiences leading them to greater insight. Have you not considered the words of Lamech, \\"From Lamech I will avenge myself sevenfold\\" (Genesis 4:24), implying that he deemed himself deserving of a greater penalty than Cain? Why so? Because he did not take heed from Cain's example. \\n\\nIt is not that anyone should bear punishment for another's wrongdoings, but rather that, despite witnessing many sinners and their retribution, they remained unrepentant, continuing to indulge in sin, thus deserving identical consequences. Notice how Christ deftly brings to mind Abel, indicating that this assassination was also driven by jealousy. So, what defense do you have now? Or are you unaware of Cain's fate? Did God overlook his actions? Did He not subject him to profound punishment? Have you not heard of the torments your forebears faced when they maltreated the prophets? Were they not met with numerous afflictions? Why have you not improved? But why should I recount the punishments endured by your ancestors? You, who judge your forefathers, why do you act even worse than they did? You have yourselves declared that the wicked shall perish (Matthew 21:41). What excuse can you present for such blatant wrongdoing following that judgment? \\n\\nBut who is this Zechariah? Some consider him the father of John the Baptist, others a prophet, and some think he is another priest known also as Joddai. Note that this deed was heinous; they not only murdered the holy ones but even did so in sacred spaces. By making these statements, Christ not only instilled fear in them but also provided reassurance to His disciples, indicating that the righteous had previously endured similar sufferings. He warned them that, just as others faced penalties, so would they face severe retribution. He therefore designates His disciples as prophets, wise men, and scribes, removing any justification for the Jews. He stated, \\"You cannot claim that I sent from among the Gentiles, and thus you have succumbed to temptation; you have reached a point where you are murderers, thirsty for blood.\\" Hence, He affirmed earlier, \\"I will send prophets and scribes.\\" All prophets rebuked them for similar sins, declaring that they mix blood with blood and are men of bloodshed (Hosea 4:2). This is why God required blood sacrifices, emphasizing that if blood is so revered in animals, it is even more precious in humankind. Thus, He warned Noah, \\"I will require a reckoning for every blood that is shed\\" (Genesis 9:6). There exist numerous instances that illustrate God’s prohibition against killing. It is why God did not permit the consumption of anything strangled. Oh, how great is God’s mercy, who, even knowing the Jews would gain nothing, still performed His work! “I send,” He says, “even knowing they shall be killed.” Therefore, the Jews were reproached for their futile claim that they would not be complicit in their ancestors’ sins. These individuals executed prophets in the synagogues, failing to honor the sacredness of the places or the roles of those they murdered. They did not slay ordinary individuals but rather prophets and wise men, wishing to avoid accountability from them. When Christ refers to prophets, He signifies the apostles and their successors, for many have prophesied.\\n\\nThen, wishing to amplify their trepidation, He declared, \\"Truly, truly I say to you, all these things shall come upon this generation,\\" indicating that all these judgments will fall upon you, with dire consequences forthcoming: for the one who has witnessed many sinners and yet remained unrepentant, specifically committing even greater sins, will incur a far worse punishment than they. Just as he, had he been willing, could have greatly benefited himself and improved by observing the examples of others, he, having failed to reform, deserves even greater punishment due to the numerous opportunities he had to learn from the punished sinners of the past, which yielded no benefit to himself."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"The Lord declares that all the unjust blood shed will be laid upon the Jews of that time. Their punishment will surpass that of their ancestors, for they have failed to repent despite numerous warnings. Lamech, who came after Cain, faced greater retribution than Cain himself, even though he did not take his brother's life; his punishment was more severe due to his inability to learn from Cain's example. Indeed, all the blood shed from Abel to Zacharias will be charged against them, as the Lord states. The inclusion of Abel is significant; like Christ, he was slain out of jealousy. But which Zacharias is being referenced here? Some assert that it is the Zacharias among the twelve minor prophets, while others believe he is the father of the Forerunner. According to tradition, there was a specific area in the temple reserved for the virgins. When Zechariah served as high priest, he placed the Virgin Mary among the virgins after the birth of Christ, leading to outrage among the Jews, who then killed him for this act. It is not unbelievable that the father of the Forerunner, Zechariah, had a father named Barachiah, just as the prophet Zechariah had a father also named Zechariah. It seems possible that, being from the same tribes, their names could naturally coincide."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Interpreting blood as a reference to the condemnation that comes from bloodshed, particularly murder, let judgment fall upon you for the lives of every messenger unjustly taken on this earth. As stated in Luke (Luke 11:50), let the blood of all the prophets, shed by this generation since the foundation of the world, be summoned. These declarations underscore the gravity of the situation. Anyone who is aware of how previous wrongdoers faced punishment yet chooses to mimic their actions deserves to endure the same consequences, as they must answer for each of those transgressions, having failed to learn from the lessons of their forbearers. He even warns that you shall be the ones to kill some of these, incurring the guilt related to every murder of the righteous that has occurred before. They understood that full retribution awaited Cain, while Lamech would be avenged seventy times over, because they did not gain wisdom from the examples set before them. Abel is mentioned in passing, illustrating that his murder stemmed from jealousy. Regarding Zacharias, there are differing opinions; some suggest he was among the twelve prophets, others identify him as the son of Joddai or Azariah, while many assert he was the father of John the Baptist. It is said that an unwritten tradition noted a designated place within the temple for virgins, where he allowed the Virgin to stand after the Savior's birth, declaring her virginity, for which he paid the ultimate price between the temple and the altar."},{"author-name":"Bogolepow D.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In regard to the statement about the deadly plots of the Pharisees against Him, Christ foretells the numerous slaying of God’s messengers documented in the Old Testament and those yet to occur in the New Testament. He then renders His definitive judgement on the Jewish people: that consequences will befall them for the innocent blood spilled upon the earth, from Abel’s blood to that of Zechariah son of Barachiah. Following this pronouncement, the Lord affirms that this judgement will indeed manifest and will certainly come upon this generation. The destruction of Jerusalem and the dispersion of the Jewish people serve as fulfillments of this proclamation."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"“‘All blood shall come upon you’ signifies that the consequences for the innocent blood that has been shed may fall upon you (cf. Matt. 27:25). This indictment is not solely directed at the Pharisees and scribes, but broadly encompasses all the Jewish people (cf. Matt. 23:36), who were responsible for the death of the Savior and His messengers, thus fulfilling the full measure of their forefathers' transgressions. Consequently, they bear the guilt for all the innocent blood of the prophets and the righteous. God does not punish the faithful for the iniquities of their ancestors; thus, when the Lord warns the Jewish community of His time regarding the repercussions of all the innocent blood shed by their predecessors, it implies that this generation is deserving of such judgment. This is warranted, as they committed the gravest crime of all—the slaying of the Messiah. ‘Unto the blood of Abel the righteous,’ who was wrongfully slain by his brother Cain (Gen. 4:8). ‘Unto the blood of Zacharias the son of Barachiah,’ etc. This likely refers to the Zacharias who, ordered by King Joash, was executed in the temple's courtyard (2 Chron. 24:20). The Lord utilizes instances of the innocently shed blood of prophets and righteous individuals from the earliest and latest sacred Jewish texts as pivotal examples. It is acknowledged that in Chronicles this Zechariah is referred to as the son of Joddai rather than Barachiah; however, this could be due to the practice among Jews to have multiple names (for instance, Matthew - Levi, Simon - Cephas, etc.). Some ancient scholars (Origen, Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, Gregory of Nyssa, Theophylact) have posited that the reference is to Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist. However, it remains historically uncertain whether he was indeed the son of Barachiah; moreover, accounts of his demise, which are derived from apocryphal sources, do not align. Nevertheless, it is possible that these early fathers had valid reasons for their interpretations. The suggestion that Zacharias Barachiah, one of the twelve minor prophets (Zechariah 1:1), is the individual in question is challenging to substantiate because there is no evidence of his martyrdom in either historical or traditional accounts. Conversely, the view that this Zacharias was killed by the Zealots, as mentioned by Josephus Flavius (Bel. jud. 4, 6, 4), is entirely untenable: 1) the murder occurred long after Christ's crucifixion, around the time of the temple's destruction, while Christ speaks in the past tense—‘killed’; 2) Josephus designates this Zacharias as the son of Baruch (Βαρου'χου var. Βαρασ'χαι'ου), thus Barachiah and Baruch are distinctly different. ‘Killed between the temple and the altar’ refers to the space between the sanctuary and the altar of burnt offerings (see note on Matthew 21:12). The Zacharias, whether the son of Joddai or Barachiah, was murdered ‘in the court of the house of the Lord.’ Rabbinic tradition recalls this act as particularly shameful and opposed to divine will (Targum Lamentations 2:20).”"},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Let all the just blood spilled on the earth be upon you, starting with the blood of Abel the Just, the first martyr, slain out of envy by his own brother. This is followed by the blood of Zacharias, the son of Barachiah, whom you mercilessly and blasphemously killed in the very temple, between the temple and the offering. But why should I address the retribution of your ancestors? You, who pass judgment on them, do you not commit even greater acts than they? This is the inquiry posed by St. Chrysostom. You have already declared your own sentence: ‘the wicked will face a dreadful demise.’"},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"I will continue to send my messengers, who will proclaim my teachings with the integrity of the prophets and the insight of the scholars. Yet I am aware that you will treat them with the same hostility your forebears displayed towards the prophets they murdered. Some you will kill and crucify, others you will whip in the synagogues and chase from town to town. By this behavior, you will bear the guilt for the blood of all the righteous ones slain by your ancestors, beginning with the blood of righteous Abel, whom his brother Cain killed, to the blood of Zechariah, son of Barachiah, whom you killed between the altar and the sanctuary."},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"With these statements, the Lord powerfully conveyed to His audience that a time of judgment was approaching for all injustices committed on earth, spanning from the initial murder of Abel (Gen. 4:8) to the killing of Zacharias—likely the one stoned in the temple courtyard (2 Chron. 24:21). These two significant incidents highlight the beginning and end of the Old Testament narrative, upon which the Lord focuses, despite the numerous atrocities throughout the history of the Jewish people that demanded retribution. The blood of the innocent, spilled on earth, would fall upon the Jews of that era because, as Blessed Theophylact notes, “they had to be punished more than their forefathers, for they remained unrepentant after such examples” and repeated the sins of their ancestors."}]}
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