Luke 11:49-51

11:49 For this reason also the wisdom ¹  of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute,’ 11:50 so that this generation may be held accountable ²  for the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the beginning ³  of the world, ⁴  11:51 from the blood of Abel ⁵  to the blood of Zechariah, ⁶  who was killed ⁷  between the altar and the sanctuary. ⁸  Yes, I tell you, it will be charged against ⁹  this generation.

[11:49]  ¹ sn The expression the wisdom of God is a personification of an attribute of God that refers to his wise will.

[11:50]  ² 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.

[11:50]  ³ tn Or “foundation.” However, this does not suggest a time to the modern reader.

[11:50]  ⁴ tn The order of the clauses in this complicated sentence has been rearranged to simplify it for the modern reader.

[11:51]  ⁵ sn Gen 4:10 indicates that Abel’s blood cried out for justice.

[11:51]  ⁶ sn It is not clear which Zechariah is meant here. It is probably the person mentioned in 2 Chr 24:20-25.

[11:51]  ⁷ tn Or “who perished.”

[11:51]  ⁸ 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.

[11:51]  ⁹ tn Or “required from.”