ACC ~ Matthew 23 v35

THE BLOOD OF ZECHARIAH

JEROME: Because we read about so many Zechariahs in Scripture, we need to inquire into the identity of this particular Zechariah, the son of Barachiah. Lest we mistake him for another, the Gospel specifies “whom you killed between the sanctuary and the altar.” Yet there remains a variety of diverse opinions on this question, each of which ought to be considered. [1] Some say that this Zechariah the son of Barachiah is the eleventh of the twelve minor prophets. Although their fathers share the same name, however, they cannot be the same persons because the prophet Zechariah was never said to have been killed between the sanctuary and the altar and especially because the temple had just recently been destroyed in the prophet’s time. Others want us to believe that this Zechariah is the father of John the Baptist, killed because he proclaimed the advent of the Savior on the basis of something he had dreamed. Because this theory doesn’t have the authority of Scripture, however, it can be disproven as easily as it can be proven. Still others maintain that this is the Zechariah who was killed between the sanctuary and the altar by Joash the king of Judah, as is chronicled in the book of Kings. [2] But that Zechariah was the son of Jehoida the priest, not Barachiah, as the Scripture relates: “Joash did not remember the good which Jehoida, Zechariah’s father, had done for him.” [3] COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 4.23.35. [4]

[1] The difficulty here brought to light by Jerome intrigues modern scholars as well, because from the Old Testament it cannot be deduced with precision who this “Zechariah son of Barachia” actually was.

[2] 2 Chron 24:20-22.

[3] 2 Chron 24:22.

[4] CCL 77:219-20.

Mt