Zechariah, son of Jehoiada, was a priest and prophet in the Kingdom of Judah who courageously rebuked the people and their rulers for abandoning the Lord. He was the son of the faithful priest Jehoiada, who had helped preserve the Davidic line and guided King Joash in his early years.
After Jehoiada’s death, King Joash and the people turned away from God. Filled with the Spirit of God, Zechariah publicly called the nation to repentance and warned them of the consequences of their unfaithfulness. Rather than listening to his message, the king ordered that Zechariah be stoned to death in the court of the Temple.
Because he was killed for proclaiming God’s truth, Zechariah is remembered as a righteous martyr and prophet. Jesus Himself later referred to the murder of Zechariah as an example of the persecution of God’s messengers.
2 Chronicles 24:20–22
Zechariah rebukes the people and is stoned to death in the Temple court.
Matthew 23:34–35
Jesus refers to the righteous blood shed from Abel to Zechariah.
Luke 11:50–51
Christ recalls the murder of Zechariah among the prophets.
2 Chronicles 24:22
Zechariah’s final words entrust judgment to the Lord.
Illustration by: Colton Rompala