Luk 11:48-52 | RWP | e4.org | Consent ( συνευδοκειτε ). Double compound ( συν, ευ, δοκεω ), to think well along with others, to give full approval. A late verb, several times in the N.T., in of Saul's consenting to and agreeing to Stephen's death. It is a somewhat subtle, but just, argument made here. Outwardly the lawyers build tombs for the prophets whom their fathers (forefathers) killed as if they disapproved what their fathers did. But in reality they neglect and oppose what the prophets teach just as their fathers did. So they are "witnesses" ( μαρτυρες ) against themselves ( ).

‏ Luke 11:48-52

Consent ( συνευδοκειτε ). Double compound ( συν, ευ, δοκεω ), to think well along with others, to give full approval. A late verb, several times in the N.T., in Ac 8:1 of Saul's consenting to and agreeing to Stephen's death. It is a somewhat subtle, but just, argument made here. Outwardly the lawyers build tombs for the prophets whom their fathers (forefathers) killed as if they disapproved what their fathers did. But in reality they neglect and oppose what the prophets teach just as their fathers did. So they are "witnesses" ( μαρτυρες ) against themselves (Mt 23:31).

The wisdom of God ( η σοφια του θεου ). In Mt 23:34 Jesus uses "I send" ( εγω αποστελλω ) without this phrase "the wisdom of God." There is no book to which it can refer. Jesus is the wisdom of God as Paul shows (1Co 1:30), but it is hardly likely that he so describes himself here. Probably he means that God in his wisdom said, but even so "Jesus here speaks with confident knowledge of the Divine counsels" (Plummer). See Lu 10:22; 15:7, 10. Here the future tense occurs, "I will send" ( αποστελω ).

Some of them ( εξ αυτων ). No "some" ( τινας ) in the Greek, but understood. They will act as their fathers did. They will kill and persecute.

That ... may be required ( ινα ... εκζητηθη ). Divinely ordered sequence, first aorist passive subjunctive of εκζητεω, a late and rare verb outside of LXX and N.T., requiring as a debt the blood of the prophets.

Which was shed ( το εκκεχυμενον ). Perfect passive participle of εκχεω and εκχυννω (an Aeolic form appearing in the margin of Westcott and Hort here, εκχυννομενον, present passive participle). If the present passive is accepted, it means the blood which is perpetually shed from time to time.

From the foundation of the world ( απο καταβολης κοσμου ). See also Mt 25:34; Joh 17:24; Eph 1:4, etc. It is a bold metaphor for the purpose of God.

From the blood of Abel to the blood of Zachariah ( απο αιματος Αβελ εως αιματος Ζαχαριου ). The blood of Abel is the first shed in the Old Testament (Ge 4:10), that of Zacharias the last in the O.T. canon which ended with Chronicles (2Ch 24:22). Chronologically the murder of Uriah by Jehoiakim was later (Jer 26:23), but this climax is from Genesis to II Chronicles (the last book in the canon). See on Mt 23:35 for discussion of Zachariah as "the son of Barachiah" rather than "the son of Jehoiada."

Between the altar and the sanctuary ( μεταξυ του θυσιαστηριου κα του οικου ). Literally, between the altar and the house (Mt 23:35 has temple, ναου ).

Ye took away the key of knowledge ( ηρατε την κλειδα της γνωσεως ). First aorist active indicative of αιρω, common verb. But this is a flat charge of obscurantism on the part of these scribes (lawyers), the teachers (rabbis) of the people. They themselves ( αυτο ) refused to go into the house of knowledge (beautiful figure) and learn. They then locked the door and hid the key to the house of knowledge and hindered ( εκωλυσατε, effective aorist active) those who were trying to enter ( τους εισερχομενους, present participle, conative action). It is the most pitiful picture imaginable of blind ecclesiastics trying to keep others as blind as they were, blind leaders of the blind, both falling into the pit.