Luke 11:51 From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias,

Spoken to: 

group

After Jesus has fun with the Pharisees, a lawyer also takes offense.

KJV: 

Luke 11:51 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.

NIV : 

Luke 11:51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be held responsible for it all.

LISTENERS HEARD: 

From blood of Abel until blood of Zachariah, the one destroyed between the altar and the house, yes, I tell you, it shall be demanded from this type here.

MY TAKE: 

People will kill others rather than deal with their own shortcomings.

GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page): 

GREEK ORDER: 

ἀπὸ   αἵματος Ἅβελ ἕως  αἵματος Ζαχαρίου       τοῦ      ἀπολομένου             
From Abel blood     until blood    of Zachariah, the one destroyed by himself

μεταξὺ      τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου καὶ τοῦ οἴκουναί, λέγω ὑμῖν, ἐκζητηθήσεται          ἀπὸ    τῆς γενεᾶς ταύτης.
v\between the altar                 and the house, yes, I tell  you,  it shall be demanded from this type     here.

LOST IN TRANSLATION: 

Abel is the Hebrew name, not a Greek version, of the second son of Adam and Eve, not a prophet.

There is no "the" before either "blood" here. "Blood" is from the Greek word that means "blood", "bloodshed," and "kinship. Jesus uses it with the double meaning of bloodshed and kinship.

"Zacharias" is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Zechariah. Unlike "Abel" it has a normal Greek word ending. There are three Zechariahs in the OT, 1) Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah."one of two witnesses to Isaiah's prophecy, 2) Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the minor prophet who wrote the book of the same name and Zechariah the son of Jehoiada, a priest who is slain in the book of Chronicles.

The verb translated as "who perished" means to destroy or demolish. It is in the form of an adjective used as a noun, "the one destroyed". But it is in the middle voice so the sense is "destroyed by himself."

The Greek word "temple/sanctuary" almost always translates as "house." It is the masculine form of the word, which any dwelling place. It is the form that Jesus uses for the "house of the Divine," but he could also means another house.

The word translated as "generation" means "race", "family", and "generation". The sense is a "type" or a "specimen" of a particular type.  Jesus uses this term frequently in criticism, but that criticism seems more aimed at a particular type of people than his generation. The Greek says "this type here" rather than "this generation," so it referred to the Pharisees and lawyers present.

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

11
  • IW - Inserted Word-- The "the" before 'blood" doesn't exist in the source.
  • IW - Inserted Word-- The "of" doesn't exist in the source.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "unto."
  • IW - Inserted Word-- The "the" before 'blood" doesn't exist in the source.
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "which" should be something more like "the."
  •  WF -- Wrong Form -  This "perished" is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, ending with "-ing."
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "temple" should be something more like "house."
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "verily."
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "which" should be something more like "the."
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "of" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "this" works better in this situation as "here.".
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "generation" is not shown in the English translation.

# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

13
  • IW - Inserted Word-- The "the" before 'blood" doesn't exist in the source.
  • IW - Inserted Word-- The "of" doesn't exist in the source.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "unto."
  • IW - Inserted Word-- The "the" before 'blood" doesn't exist in the source.
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "who" should be something more like "the."
  • WV  --Wrong Voice - The "killed"  verb in the middle voice requires the concept of "self" as its object.
  •  WF -- Wrong Form -  This "killed" is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, ending with "-ing."
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "killed ."
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "sanctuary" should be something more like "house."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "from" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "this" works better in this situation as "here.".
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "generation" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  This is not a subject but an object of a preposition.

EACH WORD of KJV : 

From --- The word translated as "from" means "from" in both locations and when referring to a source or a cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done and "away from." It is not the word form  usually translated as "of." Referring to time, it means "from," and "after." 

the  -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.

blood -- "Blood" is the Greek word that means "blood," "bloodshed," and "kinship." Its common double meaning of bloodshed and kinship.

of -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.

Abel - -"Abel" s the Hebrew name for Adam's second son. It means "transitory" and is a metaphor for "vanity." As with most biblical names, it is not in the form of a Greek word.

unto  -- (CW) The word translated as "unto" means "until" but it also means "till," "while," "as long as," "as far as," "up to the point," "in order that."  With the particle of possibility and the subjunctive form of the verb, the sense is until some unknown time. This is not the word usually translated as "unto."

the -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.

blood -- "Blood" is the Greek word that means "blood," "bloodshed," and "kinship." Its common double meaning of bloodshed and kinship.

of -- This word "of"  comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English.  The most common is the "of" of possession.

Zacharias, "Zacharias" is from  the Greek form of the Hebrew name Zechariah.

which -- (WW) The word translated as "which" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.   This word doesn't mean "which." 

perished - -  (WF) "Perished" is a word that means "to demolish", "to lay waste", "to lose", "to perish", "to die", "to cease to exist," and "to be undone." This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, ending with "-ing."

between   - The word translated as "between" is normally an adverb meaning "in the midst" but it has a special use as the preposition meaning "between" in the sense of between two parties to an agreement or discussion. Jesus only uses this word four times, always where the sense of "separating" differentiates it from the common word translated as "between."

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

altar -- "Altar" is a Greek noun that means "altar." It is also an adjective that means "sacrificial." This is not the standard Greek word for "altar" but one that appears first in the Greek OT. It is used only in Judeo/Christian Greek writings.

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

temple: -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "temple," is any dwelling place but not exclusively a separate house. It means the household or clan that lives in the building as well. The English word "house" captures the idea of a "ruling family" so that works well for this word. The female form of the word has more the feel of "home." This word doesn't mean "temple." 

verily -- (CW)The word translated as "verily" can be translated as "yes," or "truly." Interestingly, tt is not a common word for Jesus to use. This is not the word usually translated as "verily."

I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.

say -- The word translated as "I tell" is the most common word that means "to say," "to tell," and "to speak,"  but when used with an objective noun or pronoun, the sense is "say of" or "speak of."    It also has many ancillary meanings such as "to count" ("to number" or like we might say, "to recount" a story) or "to choose for yourself."

unto -- This word "to" comes from the indirect object form of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.

you, -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc.

It -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.

shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

be -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

required -"Required" is a Greek verb that means "to seek out" and "to demand an accounting of".  It is passive and in a form that indicates something that might happen. This word is the only used by Jesus in this verse and the next in the Bible. The form is changed in the next verse.

of --- (CW) The word translated as "of" means "from" in both locations and when referring to a source or a cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done and "away from." It is not the word form  usually translated as "of." Referring to time, it means "from," and "after." 

this -- (CW) The "this" is a pronoun that can mean "this" or "that," the nearer,  "here," or "there."  It often  follows the noun to further identify it as the one "here" or there."  When preceded by a definite article that also functions as a "this," this word more clearly means "here."

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more. 

generation; -- The word translated as "generation" means "race," "offspring," "class," "sort," "type," "generation," "age," and "kind." " The sense is a "type" or a "specimen" of a particular type.   Jesus uses it to refer to a type of person, specifically those like the Pharisees. See this article. This is a feminine noun so it is slightly insulting when applied to men. There is also a neuter form the means the same things.

EACH WORD of NIV : 

from --- The word translated as "from" means "from" in both locations and when referring to a source or a cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done and "away from." It is not the word form  usually translated as "of." Referring to time, it means "from," and "after." 

the  -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.

blood -- "Blood" is the Greek word that means "blood," "bloodshed," and "kinship." Its common double meaning of bloodshed and kinship.

of -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.

Abel - -"Abel" s the Hebrew name for Adam's second son. It means "transitory" and is a metaphor for "vanity." As with most biblical names, it is not in the form of a Greek word.

to  -- (CW) The word translated as "unto" means "until" but it also means "till," "while," "as long as," "as far as," "up to the point," "in order that."  With the particle of possibility and the subjunctive form of the verb, the sense is until some unknown time. This is not the word usually translated as "unto."

the -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.

blood -- "Blood" is the Greek word that means "blood," "bloodshed," and "kinship." Its common double meaning of bloodshed and kinship.

of -- This word "of"  comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English.  The most common is the "of" of possession.

Zechariah, "Zacharias" is from  the Greek form of the Hebrew name Zechariah.

who -- (WW) The word translated as "who " is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.   This word doesn't mean "which." 

was -- (WV) This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive, but this verb is not a passive voice but a middle voice requiring some form of "self" as the object.

killed - -  (CW, WF) "Killed " is a word that means "to demolish", "to lay waste", "to lose", "to perish", "to die", "to cease to exist," and "to be undone." This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, ending with "-ing." This is not the word usually translated as "killed ."

between   - The word translated as "between" is normally an adverb meaning "in the midst" but it has a special use as the preposition meaning "between" in the sense of between two parties to an agreement or discussion. Jesus only uses this word four times, always where the sense of "separating" differentiates it from the common word translated as "between."

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

altar -- "Altar" is a Greek noun that means "altar." It is also an adjective that means "sacrificial." This is not the standard Greek word for "altar" but one that appears first in the Greek OT. It is used only in Judeo/Christian Greek writings.

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

sanctuary: -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "sanctuary," is any dwelling place but not exclusively a separate house. It means the household or clan that lives in the building as well. The English word "house" captures the idea of a "ruling family" so that works well for this word. The female form of the word has more the feel of "home." This word doesn't mean "temple." 

Yes-- (CW)The word translated as "verily" can be translated as "yes," or "truly." Interestingly, tt is not a common word for Jesus to use.

, I you, this generation be held responsible for it all.

I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.

tell -- The word translated as "I tell" is the most common word that means "to say," "to tell," and "to speak,"  but when used with an objective noun or pronoun, the sense is "say of" or "speak of."    It also has many ancillary meanings such as "to count" ("to number" or like we might say, "to recount" a story) or "to choose for yourself."

you, -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc.

missing "from"  -- (MW) The untranslated word "from" means "from" in both locations and when referring to a source or a cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done and "away from." It is not the word form  usually translated as "of." Referring to time, it means "from," and "after." 

this -- (CW) The "this" is a pronoun that can mean "this" or "that," the nearer,  "here," or "there."  It often  follows the noun to further identify it as the one "here" or there."  When preceded by a definite article that also functions as a "this," this word more clearly means "here."

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more. 

generation; -- (WF)  The word translated as "generation" means "race," "offspring," "class," "sort," "type," "generation," "age," and "kind." " The sense is a "type" or a "specimen" of a particular type.   Jesus uses it to refer to a type of person, specifically those like the Pharisees. See this article. This is a feminine noun so it is slightly insulting when applied to men. There is also a neuter form the means the same things.

It -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.

will -- This helping verb "will " indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

be -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.

required -"Required" is a Greek verb that means "to seek out" and "to demand an accounting of".  It is passive and in a form that indicates something that might happen. This word is the only used by Jesus in this verse and the next in the Bible. The form is changed in the next verse.

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV : 

ἀπὸ [190 verses]​(prep) "From" is apo, a preposition of separation which means "from" or "away from" from when referring to place or motion, "from" or "after" when referring to time, "from" as an origin or cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done. Referring to time, it means "from," and "after."  Usually takes the genitive object.

αἵματος [12 verses](noun sg neut gen) "Blood" is haima, which means "blood," "streams of blood," "anything like blood," "spirit," "courage," "bloodshed," "murder," "blood relationship,"kin," and "kindship."

Ἅβελ [3 verses](Hebrew Name) "Abel" is from Abel, which is the Hebrew name for Adam's second son. It means "transitory" and is a metaphor for "vanity." As with most biblical names, it is not in the form of a Greek word.

ἕως [63 verses](conj) "While" is heos which means "until," "till," "while," "as long as," "up to the point," and "in order that" "as far as," and "up to the point that." Takes a genitive object.

αἵματος [12 verses](noun sg neut gen) "Blood" is haima, which means "blood," "streams of blood," "anything like blood," "spirit," "courage," "bloodshed," "murder," "blood relationship,"kin," and "kindship." -- "Blood" is the Greek word that means "blood," "bloodshed," and "kinship." Its common double meaning of bloodshed and kinship.

Ζαχαρίου [3 verses](noun sg masc gen) "Zacharias" is from Zacharias, which is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Zechariah.

τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc gen)  "Which" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").   It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." 

ἀπολομένου (part sg aor mid masc gen) "Perished" is apollymi, which means "to demolish", "to lay waste", "to lose", "to perish", "to die", "to cease to exist," and "to be undone." --

μεταξὺ [4 verses](adv)"Between" is metaxy, which means "in the midst" and therefore (of Place) "between," (of Time) "meanwhile," (of Qualities) "intermediate," and (of Degree) "the difference." As a preposition, it takes the genitive case and has the sense of "between" to parties to an agreement or discussion.

τοῦ[821 verses](article sg masc gen)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").   It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." 

θυσιαστηρίου [7 verses](noun sg neut gen) "Altar" is thysiastērion, which means "altar."

καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just." In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."

τοῦ[821 verses](article sg masc gen)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").   It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." 

οἴκου: (noun sg masc gen) "Temple" is oikos, which means "house", "dwelling place", "room", "home", "meeting hall", "household goods", "substance," and "ruling family." It is any dwelling place but not exclusively a separate house. 

ναί, [8 verses](adv) "Yes" is nai, which means "yea," "yes," "truly," and similar ideas.

λέγω  [264 verses] (verb 1st sg pres ind act) "I tell"is lego, which means "to recount," "to tell over," "to say," "to speak," "to teach," "to mean," "boast of," "tell of," "recite," nominate," and "command." When used with an object is has the sense of "call by name."  It has a secondary meaning "pick out," "choose for oneself," "pick up," "gather," "count," and "recount." A less common word that is spelled the same means "to lay," "to lay asleep" and "to lull asleep." This word is more about making a statement than participating in a discussion. Translating is as "stated" might distinguish it better. When two accusative objects are used, the sense is  "say of him this," or "call him this." The form Jesus uses to describe his own speaking can be either indicative, "I say/tell" or subjunctive, "I should/could say/tell."

ὑμῖν [289 verses](pron 2nd pl dat) "To you" is humin the plural form of the pronoun of the second person, "you." As the object of a preposition, this form implies no movement, but in a fixed position or events occur at a specified time or while the action was being performed. With the "to be," it acts as a possessive, "yours."

ἐκζητηθήσεται [2 verses] (verb 3rd sg fut ind pass) "Shall be required" is from ekzeteo, which means "to seek out" and "to demand an accounting of".  -

ἀπὸ [190 verses]​(prep) "From" is apo, a preposition of separation which means "from" or "away from" from when referring to place or motion, "from" or "after" when referring to time, "from" as an origin or cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done. Referring to time, it means "from," and "after."  Usually takes the genitive object.

τῆς [821 verses](article sg fem gen)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."  --

γενεᾶς[19 verses (noun sg fem gen) "Generation" is genea, which means "race," "offspring," "class," "sort," "type," "generation," "age," and "kind." It is a form of the word from which we get the scientific word,"genus."

ταύτης[83 verses](adj sg fem gen) "This" is houtos, which as an adjective means "this," "that," "the nearer." When οὗτος and ἐκεῖνος refer to two things ἐκεῖνος, which normally means "the nearer" as well belongs to the more remote, "the latter" in time, place, or thought, οὗτος to "the nearer"

Related Verses: 

parallel comparison: 

There is also a translation of a word as "temple" which is only done to make this version look more like Matthew. The "son of Barachiah" comment, which seems something of a joke in Matthew, does not appear here.  In the Matthew version, this "perished" here was a different verb meaning "to slay".  In the Matthew, the actual Greek word for "temple" is used. 

Front Page Date: 

Jun 8 2024