King James Version

What Does Luke 11:51 Mean?

Luke 11:51 in the King James Version says “From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto y...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

Luke 11:51 · KJV

Context

49

Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:

50

That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;

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.

52

Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered. hindered: or, forbad

53

And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:

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Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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 Questions

  1. How does Scripture's testimony to prophetic martyrdom from beginning to end validate the pattern Jesus describes?
  2. What does Zechariah's murder in the temple court reveal about religious systems' capacity for violence against truth?
  3. How should the history of prophetic martyrdom shape expectations for faithful gospel ministry in hostile cultures?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 24 words
ἀπὸ1 of 24

“From”

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

τῆς2 of 24

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

αἵματος3 of 24

“the blood”

G129

blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k

Ἅβελ4 of 24

“of Abel”

G6

abel, the son of adam

ἕως5 of 24

“unto”

G2193

a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)

τῆς6 of 24

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

αἵματος7 of 24

“the blood”

G129

blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k

Ζαχαρίου8 of 24

“of Zacharias”

G2197

zacharias (i.e., zechariah), the name of two israelites

τῆς9 of 24

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀπολομένου10 of 24

“perished”

G622

to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively

μεταξὺ11 of 24

“between”

G3342

betwixt (of place or person); (of time) as adjective, intervening, or (by implication) adjoining

τῆς12 of 24

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θυσιαστηρίου13 of 24

“the altar”

G2379

a place of sacrifice, i.e., an altar (special or genitive case, literal or figurative)

καὶ14 of 24

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τῆς15 of 24

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

οἴκου·16 of 24

“the temple”

G3624

a dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication, a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively)

ναί17 of 24

“verily”

G3483

yes

λέγω18 of 24

“I say”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

ὑμῖν19 of 24

“unto you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

ἐκζητηθήσεται20 of 24

“It shall be required”

G1567

to search out, i.e., (figuratively)investigate, crave, demand, (by hebraism) worship

ἀπὸ21 of 24

“From”

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

τῆς22 of 24

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γενεᾶς23 of 24

“generation”

G1074

a generation; by implication, an age (the period or the persons)

ταύτης24 of 24
G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 11:51 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 11:51 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 24:20-22Hebrews 11:4Matthew 23:351 John 3:12Genesis 4:8-11Zechariah 1:1

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