King James Version

What Does Matthew 23:35 Mean?

Matthew 23:35 in the King James Version says “That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Z... — study this verse from Matthew chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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 · KJV


Context

33

Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

34

Wherefore , behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:

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.

36

Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.

37

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth (ὅπως ἔλθῃ ἐφ' ὑμᾶς πᾶν αἷμα δίκαιον ἐκχυννόμενον)—hopōs indicates purpose or result. This generation's sin would bring accumulated judgment for all prophetic martyrdoms. From... Abel unto... Zacharias spans biblical history from Genesis 4:8 to 2 Chronicles 24:20-22 (last book in Hebrew Bible order). "Abel to Zechariah" equals our "Genesis to Revelation"—the entirety of redemptive history's martyrs.

Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar—this Zechariah said, "Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD?" before being stoned in the temple court (2 Chronicles 24:20-22). Jesus says "ye slew" (past tense)—treating that generation as corporately guilty with the current one. The crucifixion would be the culminating murder, triggering judgment for all accumulated prophetic blood.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

AD 70 brought Jesus's prophecy to fulfillment: Roman armies under Titus destroyed Jerusalem and the temple. Josephus records over 1 million Jews died, temple treasures plundered, survivors enslaved. This judgment fell on "this generation" (v. 36)—those alive when Jesus spoke. The generation that witnessed Jesus's ministry, rejected His Messiahship, crucified Him, and persecuted His apostles experienced the accumulated judgment for Israel's entire history of prophetic rejection.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's patience in delaying judgment sometimes result in accumulated wrath falling on a culminating generation?
  2. What does the span from Abel to Zechariah teach about God's comprehensive justice—no righteous blood is forgotten?
  3. How should awareness that corporate judgment can fall on a generation affect our response to prophetic warning today?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 31 words
ὅπως1 of 31

That

G3704

what(-ever) how, i.e., in the manner that (as adverb or conjunction of coincidence, intentional or actual)

ἔλθῃ2 of 31

may come

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

ἐπὶ3 of 31

upon

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

ὑμᾶς4 of 31

you

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

πᾶν5 of 31

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

αἵματος6 of 31

blood

G129

blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k

δικαίου7 of 31

of righteous

G1342

equitable (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively)

ἐκχυνόμενον8 of 31

shed

G1632

to pour forth; figuratively, to bestow

ἐπὶ9 of 31

upon

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τῆς10 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γῆς11 of 31

the earth

G1093

soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)

ἀπὸ12 of 31

from

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

τοῦ13 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

αἵματος14 of 31

blood

G129

blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k

Ἅβελ15 of 31

Abel

G6

abel, the son of adam

τοῦ16 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δικαίου17 of 31

of righteous

G1342

equitable (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively)

ἕως18 of 31

unto

G2193

a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)

τοῦ19 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

αἵματος20 of 31

blood

G129

blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k

Ζαχαρίου21 of 31

of Zacharias

G2197

zacharias (i.e., zechariah), the name of two israelites

υἱοῦ22 of 31

son

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

Βαραχίου23 of 31

of Barachias

G914

barachias (i.e., berechijah), an israelite

ὃν24 of 31

whom

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἐφονεύσατε25 of 31

ye slew

G5407

to be a murderer (of)

μεταξὺ26 of 31

between

G3342

betwixt (of place or person); (of time) as adjective, intervening, or (by implication) adjoining

τοῦ27 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ναοῦ28 of 31

the temple

G3485

a fane, shrine, temple

καὶ29 of 31

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τοῦ30 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θυσιαστηρίου31 of 31

the altar

G2379

a place of sacrifice, i.e., an altar (special or genitive case, literal or figurative)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 23:35 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Matthew 23:35 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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