Luke 11:51

51 from the murder of Abel to the murder of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the Holy Place. Yes, I tell you, the people of this time will be punished for them all! ¹

Luke 11:51 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 11:51

From the blood of Abel
"Righteous Abel", as in ( 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 ( Matthew 23:35 ) and so the Arabic version, "the son of Barasciah"; who he was, (See Gill on Matthew 23:35)

which perished between the altar and the temple;
or "the house", that is, the holy place: and the Ethiopic version renders it, "the holy house"; here he died, being slain by the Jews; see the note, as before.

Verily I say unto you, it shall be required of this generation;
as it was at the time of the destruction of Jerusalem.

Luke 11:51 In-Context

49 For this reason the Wisdom of God said, "I will send them prophets and messengers; they will kill some of them and persecute others.'

50 So the people of this time will be punished for the murder of all the prophets killed since the creation of the world,

51 from the murder of Abel to the murder of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the Holy Place. Yes, I tell you, the people of this time will be punished for them all!

52 "How terrible for you teachers of the Law! You have kept the key that opens the door to the house of knowledge; you yourselves will not go in, and you stop those who are trying to go in!"

53 When Jesus left that place, the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees began to criticize him bitterly and ask him questions about many things,

Cross References

• 1. 11.51 aGenesis 4.8; b2 Chronicles 24.20, 21.