“So that the blood of all the prophets, shed from the foundation of the world, may be charged against this generation, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be required of this generation” (Luke 11:50–51 ESV).
Jesus told the religious leaders of His day that their generation would be held responsible for all the prophets God had sent them since creation. Why would this generation bear such a weight?
Jesus summarized the list of prophets killed by beginning with Abel, whose murder was recorded in the first book, Genesis, and ending with the murder of Zechariah, whose stoning was recorded in 2 Chronicles, the last book according to the order of the Hebrew Bible. The first murder victim, Abel, was killed by his brother because he had “by faith offered a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain” (Heb. 11:4). Abel brought the firstborn of his flock as a sacrifice of blood, which prophetically pointed to its fulfillment in Christ. The last prophet recorded as being murdered in the Hebrew Bible was Zechariah, the son of the high priest, Jehoiada. King Joash conspired to have him stoned to death in the Temple courts because he had prophesied against him for forsaking the daily sacrifices and turning to idolatry (2 Chron. 24:15-22).
God had delayed His judgment against the Jews, so that the coming of the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ, might be given to them and through them to the whole world. But this generation would reject and murder the very One to whom all the prophets had pointed. And upon them God’s accumulated wrath would be spent. Indeed, this generation saw the fall of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD, so that those that remained were dispersed among the nations.
This passage challenges us to take seriously the truth we’ve been given. We live in a time when the fullness of God’s revelation is available—we know the gospel, we know Jesus, and we’ve seen the faithfulness of God through Scripture. So how are we responding? God is still speaking through His Word and Spirit today. May we be found faithful. Not just hearing, but believing and obeying. This generation has a great responsibility too. Let us be salt and light to our generation.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for Your mercy in sending Your Son and those who have carried the gospel to us. We don’t want to take lightly what others died to proclaim. Help us to live in obedience to Your Word and full devotion to Jesus. Keep our hearts soft and open. Use us in this generation to speak Your truth with love and courage. In Jesus’ name, amen.