Luke 11:51
Arabic Simplified (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)
مِنْ دَمِ هَابِيلَ إلَى دَمِ زَكَرِيَّا الَّذِي قُتِلَ بَيْنَ المَذْبَحِ وَالهَيكَلِ. نَعَمْ، أقُولُ لَكُمْ إنَّ هَذَا الجِيلَ سَيَدْفَعُ ثَمَنَ ذَلِكَ الدَّمِ.
What Does This Mean?
Jesus is speaking and saying that from the death of Abel to Zacharias, who died between the altar and the temple, all their blood will be required of this generation. It means God holds people accountable for past injustices.
Explained for Children
Imagine you have a box where you keep track of every time someone was hurt in your school. Jesus is saying that from the first person to get hurt (like Abel) until the last one (Zacharias), everyone will be held responsible for these hurts, just like if they were all recorded in the same big book.
Historical Background
This verse appears in Luke's Gospel, written around 80-100 AD. The audience was likely early Christians and Gentiles interested in understanding Jesus' teachings. It reflects a time when the Jewish community faced significant changes and challenges, including violence against prophets.
Living It Out Today
A concrete scenario could be that a manager knows about the unfair treatment of employees from long ago but does nothing to address it. This verse reminds us we are responsible for rectifying past wrongs within our reach and holding ourselves accountable.
Topics
accountabilityjusticeremembranceprophetsGod's judgmenthistorical sins
Related Verses
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that 'it shall be required'?
'It shall be required' means God will hold people accountable for past injustices, emphasizing the need to address wrongdoings rather than ignore them.
Who were Abel and Zacharias in this context?
Abel was a righteous man killed by his brother Cain (Genesis 4), symbolizing the first injustice. Zacharias died unjustly between the altar and the temple, representing the last prophet's death as recorded in 2 Chronicles.
How can we apply this verse to our lives?
We can be proactive in addressing injustices within our communities, taking responsibility for past wrongs where possible, and advocating for justice and reconciliation.
What does the phrase 'between the altar and the temple' imply?
'Between the altar and the temple' refers to a sacred place where Zacharias was killed, emphasizing that even holy spaces were not safe from violence, highlighting the gravity of injustice.