Luke 11:51
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Luke 11:51
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.
Chapter Context
Luke 11 is a historical gospel chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of obedience, judgment, wisdom. Written during the late first century CE (c. 80-85 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Written when Christians needed to understand their place in the Roman world.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-54: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it illustrates divine judgment and mercy in response to human actions. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Luke and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Luke 11:51
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.
Analysis
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.
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.
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?
Word Studies
- Altar: θυσιαστήριον (Thusiastērion) G2379 - Altar
Cross-References
- Sacrifice: Hebrews 11:4
- Blood: Matthew 23:35, Hebrews 12:24
- Parallel theme: Jeremiah 7:28, Zechariah 1:1, 1 John 3:12