Luke 11:51
From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.
Original Language Analysis
ἀπὸ
From
G575
ἀπὸ
From
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
1 of 24
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τῆς
which
G3588
τῆς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αἵματος
the blood
G129
αἵματος
the blood
Strong's:
G129
Word #:
3 of 24
blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k
ἕως
unto
G2193
ἕως
unto
Strong's:
G2193
Word #:
5 of 24
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
τῆς
which
G3588
τῆς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αἵματος
the blood
G129
αἵματος
the blood
Strong's:
G129
Word #:
7 of 24
blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k
Ζαχαρίου
of Zacharias
G2197
Ζαχαρίου
of Zacharias
Strong's:
G2197
Word #:
8 of 24
zacharias (i.e., zechariah), the name of two israelites
τῆς
which
G3588
τῆς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀπολομένου
perished
G622
ἀπολομένου
perished
Strong's:
G622
Word #:
10 of 24
to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively
μεταξὺ
between
G3342
μεταξὺ
between
Strong's:
G3342
Word #:
11 of 24
betwixt (of place or person); (of time) as adjective, intervening, or (by implication) adjoining
τῆς
which
G3588
τῆς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θυσιαστηρίου
the altar
G2379
θυσιαστηρίου
the altar
Strong's:
G2379
Word #:
13 of 24
a place of sacrifice, i.e., an altar (special or genitive case, literal or figurative)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῆς
which
G3588
τῆς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἴκου·
the temple
G3624
οἴκου·
the temple
Strong's:
G3624
Word #:
16 of 24
a dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication, a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively)
λέγω
I say
G3004
λέγω
I say
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
18 of 24
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ἐκζητηθήσεται
It shall be required
G1567
ἐκζητηθήσεται
It shall be required
Strong's:
G1567
Word #:
20 of 24
to search out, i.e., (figuratively)investigate, crave, demand, (by hebraism) worship
ἀπὸ
From
G575
ἀπὸ
From
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
21 of 24
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τῆς
which
G3588
τῆς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Hebrews 11:4By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.Matthew 23:35That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.1 John 3:12Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.Zechariah 1:1In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,Hebrews 12:24And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.Jeremiah 7:28But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth.
Historical Context
The Hebrew Bible's canonical order placed Chronicles last, making Zechariah the final martyr chronologically recorded (though not the last chronologically in history). Zechariah's dying words, 'The LORD look upon it, and require it' (2 Chronicles 24:22), echo Jesus's language of divine requital. Jesus uses Scripture's bookends (Abel to Zechariah) to encompass all martyrdom.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Scripture's testimony to prophetic martyrdom from beginning to end validate the pattern Jesus describes?
- What does Zechariah's murder in the temple court reveal about religious systems' capacity for violence against truth?
- How should the history of prophetic martyrdom shape expectations for faithful gospel ministry in hostile cultures?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple (ἀπὸ αἵματος Ἅβελ ἕως αἵματος Ζαχαρίου τοῦ ἀπολομένου μεταξὺ τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου καὶ τοῦ οἴκου)—Jesus specifies the range: from Abel (Genesis 4:8, first martyr) to Zechariah (2 Chronicles 24:20-22, last martyr in Hebrew Bible canon, since Chronicles was ordered last). This encompasses 'all the prophets' (v.50). Zechariah's murder metaxu tou thusiastēriou kai tou oikou (between the altar and the temple) emphasized sacrilege—priests murdered God's prophet in the temple court.
Verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation—the emphatic amēn legō humin (truly I say to you) confirms the verdict. Jesus's generation will answer for all prophetic bloodshed from Scripture's beginning (Abel) to end (Zechariah). Their Messiah-rejection completes a pattern spanning biblical history.