What does Luke 11:51 mean?
Jesus is telling the lawyers of the Pharisees that they are complicit in murdering the same Old Testament prophets they claim to honor. To prove this, God will send a new generation of prophets and apostles—and the lawyers will have a part in their murders. Although we know the Sanhedrin was involved in the murder of Stephen (Acts 7) and tried to murder Paul (Acts 23:12–15), Scripture offers no other specific names besides the apostle James, whom Herod Agrippa I killed (Acts 12:1–3). Even so, we know that before he met Jesus, Paul voted for the execution of many believers (Acts 26:10).Now, Jesus makes a figure of speech to cover the range of Old Testament prophets who were killed. A prophet is someone who speaks God's words. Abel was a prophet in that he lived out God's will by providing a suitable sacrifice (Genesis 4:1–4; Hebrews 11:4). Out of jealousy of God's approval, Abel's brother Cain murdered him. The first murder victim in human history was a faithful prophet of God (Genesis 4:8).
"Zechariah" probably refers to the son of Jehoiada, the priest who raised and mentored Joash, the king of Judah. While Jehoiada was living, Joash followed God, including restoring the temple and keeping track of the funds so they could be used appropriately. After Jehoiada died, princes of Judah corrupted Joash. He withdrew from worshiping God and turned to Asherim and other idols. Zechariah joined several other prophets to try to return Joash to God. The people attacked Zechariah and demanded Joash have him stoned, which he did (2 Chronicles 24:1–22).
By saying "from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah," Jesus refers to the first and last prophets killed according to the order of the Hebrew canon.
Matthew, however, mentions "Zechariah the son of Barachiah" (Matthew 23:35), though some manuscripts have only "Zechariah." Zechariah the son of Barachiah was a contemporary of Matthew's who was murdered by Zealots under false charges, according to ancient historian Josephus' Jewish War. Although this Zechariah wasn't technically a prophet, he did have the boldness to expose the sins of his accusers.
Luke's account reads, "Yes, I tell you, it will be required of this generation." In Matthew's parallel, which appears to occur much later in Jesus' ministry, Jesus says, "Truly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation" (Matthew 23:36).
The two phrases refer to the same thing. It will be required of this generation of lawyers to prove that they revere God's prophets as much as they honor their graves. That trial, or test, will come upon them. Unfortunately, many will fail.
