Who was Berekiah?
Berekiah, mentioned in Matthew 23:35, is described as the father of Zechariah, who was murdered between the temple and the altar. The name Berekiah comes from the Hebrew בֶּרֶכְיָה (Berekyah) or בַּרַכְיָהוּ (Berekhyahu), meaning “Yahweh blesses” or “blessed by the LORD.” Though only briefly mentioned in the New Testament, his inclusion in Jesus’ solemn rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees situates him within a significant theological and historical context.
In Matthew 23:35 (NIV), Jesus declares:
“And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.”
This reference places Berekiah’s son, Zechariah, at the end of a biblical line of martyred prophets, highlighting the guilt of Israel’s religious leaders throughout history.
Biblical References and Cross-References
The figure of Zechariah son of Berekiah appears also in Zechariah 1:1, where he is identified as the prophet during the post-exilic period:
“In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo.”
However, a common point of discussion surrounds whether this Zechariah is the same one Jesus referenced in Matthew 23:35, since 2 Chronicles 24:20–22 tells of a Zechariah, son of Jehoiada, who was stoned in the temple court:
“King Joash did not remember the kindness Zechariah’s father Jehoiada had shown him but killed his son, who said as he lay dying, ‘May the Lord see this and call you to account.’” (2 Chron. 24:22)
Some interpret Jesus as referring to the Zechariah of 2 Chronicles because of the location of the martyrdom and the book’s placement as the last in the Hebrew Bible. Others maintain that Matthew 23:35 refers to the prophetic Zechariah, son of Berekiah, though Scripture records no martyrdom for him. The use of “son of Berekiah” in Matthew appears to clarify the individual Jesus meant to indict the leaders of Israel through their treatment of God’s messengers.
What Happened in the Bible
In Matthew 23, Jesus gives a series of woes to the scribes and Pharisees, condemning their hypocrisy and spiritual blindness. His words culminate in a declaration of judgment, reminding them of the history of righteous bloodshed, beginning with Abel, the first martyr (Genesis 4:8), and ending with Zechariah son of Berekiah. This rhetorical bracket represents the entire history of Israel’s rejection of God’s servants.
Though Berekiah himself is not the main subject of action, he is significant because his name is attached to his son, a man remembered for his righteousness and prophetic role, possibly martyred for faithfully speaking God’s word. Thus, Berekiah is a father of a prophet and a reminder of the cost of proclaiming truth in a fallen world.
What It Means for Today’s Christians
Berekiah’s mention points to the high cost of prophetic faithfulness. It calls today’s Christians to remember that standing for truth often brings persecution (2 Timothy 3:12). The pattern of rejecting God’s messengers is not only a problem of the past—it warns believers today against hard hearts, prideful religiosity, and resistance to God’s Word.
Berekiah’s name, “Yahweh blesses,” is a reminder of God’s favor upon those who are faithful, even if their earthly reward includes suffering. His legacy—through Zechariah—serves as a call to embrace God’s truth no matter the cost, knowing that final justice belongs to God.
How Their Story Points to Jesus and the Gospel
Jesus’ mention of Berekiah’s son Zechariah fits within His broader mission to confront sin, fulfill prophecy, and offer redemption. By citing Zechariah, Jesus identifies with the prophets before Him and foreshadows His own rejection and death. He too would be murdered unjustly by the religious leaders, becoming the ultimate Prophet, Priest, and King whose blood speaks a better word than Abel’s (Hebrews 12:24).
Whereas Zechariah’s death cried out for vengeance, Jesus‘ death brought forgiveness and new life. The story of Zechariah son of Berekiah points to Jesus as the fulfillment of the prophetic tradition and the ultimate expression of God’s justice and mercy.
Broader Biblical Themes
1. Martyrdom and Righteousness
From Abel to Zechariah, the Bible honors those who stand for God even to the point of death. Their blood testifies against a world that rejects God’s rule.
2. Judgment and Accountability
Jesus’ reference to Zechariah underscores divine judgment. The leaders of Israel would be held accountable for their participation in a long history of rebellion.
3. Prophetic Legacy
Berekiah’s son was part of a prophetic lineage that pointed forward to Christ. Prophets call people to repentance, a theme central to Jesus’ gospel.
4. God’s Sovereignty and Justice
God sees every act of injustice. Though Berekiah’s son died violently, his story is not forgotten. In Christ, justice and mercy meet.
Reflection Questions
- What does Jesus’ mention of Berekiah’s son teach us about God’s concern for righteousness and truth?
- How can we avoid the religious hypocrisy that Jesus condemned in Matthew 23?
- In what ways are we called to be faithful witnesses today, even when it costs us?
- How does the story of the prophets—ending with Zechariah—prepare us to understand the mission and sacrifice of Jesus?
- Are there areas in your life where you resist the message of God, similar to those who rejected His prophets?
Berekiah, though a minor figure, reminds us that the people of God have always included those who bear witness to truth through their lives and their children—and that the world’s rejection of the righteous is not the end of the story. Jesus came not only to identify with them but to redeem and reign through His own blood.