11:51

Jesus used the phrase “from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah” in 11:51a to restate more specifically what he meant by the phrase “since the beginning of the world” in 11:50b.

11:51a

from the blood of Abel: Abel was Adam’s son. Adam’s other son, Cain, murdered Abel. This phrase means “beginning with the time Cain murdered Abel.” This is the first murder recorded in the Bible (Genesis 4:8).

Some other ways to translate this are:

from the murder of Abel (Good News Translation)
-or-
beginning with the killing of Abel

11:51b

to the blood of Zechariah: The phrase to the blood of Zechariah means “until the time they murdered Zechariah.” It includes all the time between Abel and Zechariah, and all the righteous people who were murdered or martyred during that time.

It may be helpful to add a footnote that explains why Jesus mentioned Abel and Zechariah. For example:

Abel was the first person murdered in the Old Testament (Genesis 4:8), and Zechariah was the last (2 Chronicles 24:20–22). (The Hebrew Bible orders the book of Chronicles last.) (Translator’s Reference Translation)

Zechariah: Jesus was probably referring to the man Zechariah who is mentioned in 2 Chronicles 24:20–22. He was a priest who lived long ago and was killed because he declared God’s word.

11:51c

who was killed: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as who was killed is a passive verb. Some ways to translate this verb are:

• As a passive verb. For example:

who was murdered

• As a noun. For example:

whose murder/death occurred

• As an active verb. For example:

whom your ancestors killed

Translate this in a way that is natural in your language.

between the altar and the sanctuary: The altar refers to the stone altar where worshipers offered burnt offerings. It was located in the courtyard in front of the temple building.

The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sanctuary is literally “house.” Here it refers to the temple building itself. Because it was the outer room of the temple (“the Holy Place”) that was closest to the altar, another way to translate this is:

between the altar and the Holy Place (Good News Translation)

See temple, Meaning 2, in the Glossary.

Some other ways to translate this location are:

⌊in the area⌋ between the altar and the temple ⌊building⌋
-or-

⌊in the temple courtyard⌋ between the ⌊sacrifice⌋ altar and the temple ⌊building⌋ (Translator’s Reference Translation)

11:51d

Yes, I tell you: The phrase Yes, I tell you emphasizes what Jesus was about to say. Some other ways to translate this are:

• As a phrase before Jesus’ statement. For example:

I mean what I say
-or-
I am telling the truth
-or-
I assure you

• As a word within Jesus’ statement. For example:

You people will certainly be punished for all of this. (Contemporary English Version)

Translate this emphasis in a way that is most natural in your language.

all of it will be charged to this generation: Jesus repeated here in fewer words what he had already said in 11:50–51. He did this to emphasize that what he was saying was true and important. See the notes on 11:50a.

all of it: Jesus was referring to the murders of all the prophets from the time Cain murdered Abel to the time the people murdered Zechariah.

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