BibleWord.ai› Bible› Luke› Chapter 11› Verse 51

Luke 11:51

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 11:51 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “from the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zachariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary: yea, I say unto you, it shall be required of this generation.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

from the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zachariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary: yea, I say unto you, it shall be required of this generation.
Luke 11:51 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 11

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
48So ye are witnesses and consent unto the works of your fathers: for they killed them, and ye build [their tombs].
49Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send unto them prophets and apostles; and [some] of them they shall kill and persecute;
50that the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;
51from the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zachariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary: yea, I say unto you, it shall be required of this generation.
52Woe unto you lawyers! for ye took away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.
53And when he was come out from thence, the scribes and the Pharisees began to press upon [him] vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things;
54laying wait for him, to catch something out of his mouth.
← Luke 11:50Luke 11:52 →
← Full Chapter 11 Luke Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“From the blood of Abel, etc.] “Righteous Abel”, as in (<402335>Matthew 23:35) and so read the Arabic version here, and two manuscripts in the Bodleian library, and three of Stephens's copies; the Persic version renders it, “innocent Abel”: he is mentioned because he was the first man that was slain, and he was slain because of his righteousness. Unto the blood of Zacharias; in the Cambridge copy of Beza's, it is added, “the son of Barachias”, as in (<402335>Matthew 23:35) and so the Arabic version, “the son of Barasciah”; who he was, (see Gill on “<402335>Matthew 23:35”) which perished between the altar and the temple; or “the house”, that is, the holy place: and the Ethiopic version renders…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“blood of Zacharias--Probably the allusion is not to any recent murder, but to Ch2 24:20-22, as the last recorded and most suitable case for illustration. And as Zacharias' last words were, "The Lord require it," so they are warned that "of that generation it should be required."”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See the notes at Matthew 23:29-36. Luke 11:49 The wisdom of God - By the “wisdom of God,” here, is undoubtedly meant the Saviour himself. What he immediately says is not written in the Old Testament. Jesus is called “the word of God” John 1:1, because he is the medium by which God “speaks” or makes his will known. He is called “the wisdom of God,” because by him God makes his wisdom known in creation (Colossians 1:13-18 and in redemption 1 Corinthians 1:30. Many have also thought that the Messiah was referred to in the Proverbs 8:1 of Proverbs, under the name of Wisdom. I will send ... - See Luke 10:3; Matthew 10:16. Shall slay ... - Compare John 16:2; Acts 7:52, Acts 7:59; James 5:10; Acts…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“And so it was within forty years, in a most astonishing manner, by the dreadful destruction of the temple, the city, and the whole nation. Between the temple and the altar - In the court of the temple. Luke 11:52”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“11:51 from the murder of Abel to the murder of Zechariah: Abel’s murder by his brother Cain was the first murder recorded in the Old Testament (Gen 4:8). The stoning of Zechariah, son of Jehoiada (2 Chr 24:20-22) was the last, since Chronicles is the last book in the Hebrew Bible.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the blood of Abel: Gen 4:8-11; Heb 11:4, Heb 12:24; Jo1 3:12 Zacharias: Ch2 24:20-22; Zac 1:1; Mat 23:35 It shall: Jer 7:28 Luke 11:52”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Luke 11 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification