Luke 11:49-51
Context11:49 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.
1 sn The expression the wisdom of God is a personification of an attribute of God that refers to his wise will.
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.
3 tn Or “foundation.” However, this does not suggest a time to the modern reader.
4 tn The order of the clauses in this complicated sentence has been rearranged to simplify it for the modern reader.
5 sn Gen 4:10 indicates that Abel’s blood cried out for justice.
6 sn It is not clear which Zechariah is meant here. It is probably the person mentioned in 2 Chr 24:20-25.
7 tn Or “who perished.”
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.
9 tn Or “required from.”