Devine Scripture

Luke 11:49

What does Luke 11:49 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 11:49 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 11:49 means

Jesus explains that "the wisdom of God"—referring either to an ancient divine decree or perhaps to a personification of God's prophetic purpose (possibly Jesus Himself as the embodiment of wisdom)—declared a plan: to send "prophets and apostles" to them. However, it was also foreknown that some of these messengers would be violently rejected, with some being killed and others persecuted, continuing the pattern of resistance to divine truth.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send unto them prophets and apostles; and some of them they shall kill and persecute;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send unto them prophets and apostles; and some of them they shall kill and persecute;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For this reason the wisdom of God has said, I will send them prophets and teachers, and to some of them they will give death and cruel pains;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

because of this also the wisdom of God said: I will send to them prophets, and apostles, and some of them they shall kill and persecute,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For this cause also the wisdom of God said: I will send to them prophets and apostles: and some of them they will kill and persecute.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For this reason also the wisdom ofGod has said, I will send to them prophets and apostles, and of these shall they kill and drive out by persecution,

Context

This verse introduces a divine plan concerning prophets and apostles, building on the accusation of the lawyers' consent to their fathers' persecution. It provides the theological basis for the ultimate accounting of prophetic blood. This prophetic statement sets the stage for the dramatic and sobering declaration in the next two verses, where the guilt for all the shed blood will fall upon this generation.

v.48So ye are witnesses and consent unto the works of your fathers: for they killed them, and ye build their tombs.

v.49This passage

v.50that the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 1:8

    But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

  • Acts 7:57

    But they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed upon him with one accord;

  • Proverbs 1:2

    To know wisdom and instruction; To discern the words of understanding;

  • Matthew 23:34

    Therefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: some of them shall ye kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city:

  • 1 Corinthians 1:30

    But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption:

  • Acts 8:3

    But Saul laid waste the church, entering into every house, and dragging men and women committed them to prison.

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