Luke 11:50-51

11:50 so that this generation may be held accountable ¹  for the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the beginning ²  of the world, ³  11:51 from the blood of Abel ⁴  to the blood of Zechariah, ⁵  who was killed ⁶  between the altar and the sanctuary. ⁷  Yes, I tell you, it will be charged against ⁸  this generation.

¹ tn Or “that this generation may be charged with”; or “the blood of all the prophets… may be required from this generation.” This is a warning of judgment. These people are responsible for the shedding of prophetic blood.

² tn Or “foundation.” However, this does not suggest a time to the modern reader.

³ tn The order of the clauses in this complicated sentence has been rearranged to simplify it for the modern reader.

⁴ sn Gen 4:10 indicates that Abel’s blood cried out for justice.

⁵ sn It is not clear which Zechariah is meant here. It is probably the person mentioned in 2 Chr 24:20-25.

⁶ tn Or “who perished.”

⁷ tn Or “and the temple”; Grk “and the house,” but in this context a reference to the house of God as a place of sanctuary.

⁸ tn Or “required from.”