Luke 11:49
Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute,’
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
While Jesus calls himself "Wisdom of God," the verse highlights the sequence of divine messengers: prophets first (Old Testament history), then apostles (New Testament era), revealing God's consistent outreach and humanity's consistent rejection. This shows that rejecting God's messengers isn't a new problem, but a pattern that stretches across both Testaments, culminating in the rejection of Jesus and his followers.
Jesus is exposing the hypocrisy of the religious leaders, calling them out for outwardly honoring the prophets of the past while inwardly rejecting God's messengers. He declares that because of their continued defiance, they are bringing upon themselves the judgment for all the righteous blood shed since the beginning of time. This prophecy of sending more prophets and apostles, whom they will persecute, emphasizes the nation's ongoing rejection of God's truth.
Who is speaking in this verse, and why is this title so significant?
Jesus, referring to Himself, is called the 'Wisdom of God.' This isn't just a poetic name; it points to Jesus as the very embodiment of God's plan and knowledge, the one through whom God makes His wisdom known to creation and redemption. He speaks with divine authority, revealing a pattern of God's interaction with humanity.
Why does God send prophets and apostles, knowing they will face persecution?
This verse reveals a recurring pattern in God's relationship with humanity: He consistently sends messengers – first prophets, then apostles – to call people back to Him. However, this divine outreach is met with human resistance, resulting in the persecution and even death of these messengers. This isn't a failure of God's plan, but a demonstration of humanity's ongoing struggle with sin and a prelude to divine judgment.
Understand the original words
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Luke 11:49 is available in the Sola app.
sophia tou Theou · Greek Noun
A divine attribute personified in Jewish literature, often associated with God’s plan of salvation and His active intervention in history. In the New Testament, it is often identified with the person and work of Christ.
apostolos · Greek Noun
A messenger or "sent one," specifically referring to those commissioned by Jesus to carry the message of the Gospel with His authority.
Jesus, speaking as the Wisdom of God, references the long history of God sending messengers—prophets and later apostles—to Israel. This verse highlights a recurring pattern: rejection, persecution, and even death for those sent by God, pointing to the deep-seated rebellion that has characterized Israel's history and will continue even into the early church.
c. 975 BC
Solomon's Temple Completed
The magnificent Temple in Jerusalem, central to Israelite worship and national identity, is dedicated by King Solomon. This event marks the pinnacle of Israel's early prosperity and divine favor.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many of its people. This event serves as a stark warning to the Southern Kingdom of Judah about the consequences of disobedience.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling a large portion of the Judean population. This is a catastrophic event, marking the end of the Davidic monarchy and the loss of their homeland.
c. 538 BC
Return from Exile
Under Cyrus the Great of Persia, many Judeans are permitted to return to their land and begin rebuilding the Temple. This marks a new era, though the glory of the former kingdom is not restored.
c. 30 BC - 10 AD— this verse
Jesus' Ministry
Jesus begins his public ministry, teaching, healing, and challenging the religious authorities in Judea and Galilee. His teachings often draw on Old Testament prophecy and critique the hypocrisy of the religious leaders.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus is arrested, tried, and crucified in Jerusalem. His followers believe he was resurrected three days later, marking a pivotal moment for the nascent Christian movement.
c. AD 40-60
Apostolic Missions
Following Jesus' ascension, his apostles, such as Paul and Peter, travel throughout the Roman Empire, spreading the gospel message and establishing churches. Many face persecution for their faith.
This passage describes the stoning of Zechariah, son of Jehoiada, in the temple courts for prophesying against the people's disobedience, directly illustrating the pattern of rejecting and killing God's messengers that Jesus highlights.
Matthew 23:34-36This parallel passage in Matthew records Jesus' similar pronouncement, sending prophets, wise men, and scribes, and foretelling their persecution, emphasizing the consistent rejection of God's messengers throughout history.
1 Kings 18:4This verse shows King Ahab trying to hide 100 prophets from Jezebel, demonstrating the historical reality of God's prophets being persecuted and needing protection, a theme Jesus draws upon.
Jeremiah 7:25-26Jeremiah recounts God sending prophets repeatedly, only for them to be rejected and their necks hardened against God's voice, mirroring the continuous cycle of divine outreach and human rebellion Jesus addresses.
Acts 7:51-52Stephen directly accuses his listeners of resisting the Holy Spirit and killing the prophets who foretold Jesus' coming, explicitly linking the historical persecution of prophets to the rejection of Jesus and his apostles.
barnesLuke 11:49: "Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:"
The wisdom of God - By the "wisdom of God," here, is undoubtedly meant the Saviour himself. What he immediately says is not written in the Old Testament. Jesus is called "the word of God" John 1:1 , because he is the medium by which God "speaks" or makes his will known. He is called "the wisdom of God," because by him God makes his wisdom known in creation…
calvinLuke 11:47-51: "Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them."
- Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you build the sepulchers of the prophets and embellish the monuments of the righteous, 30. And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been their associates in the blood of the prophets. 31. Thus you testify against yourselves, that you are the children of those who killed the prophets. 32. Do you also fill up t…
While Jesus calls himself "Wisdom of God," the verse highlights the sequence of divine messengers: prophets first (Old Testament history), then apostles (New Testament era), revealing God's consistent outreach and humanity's consistent rejection. This shows that rejecting God's messengers isn't a new problem, but a pattern that stretches across both Testaments, culminating in the rejection of Jesus and his followers.
Jesus is exposing the hypocrisy of the religious leaders, calling them out for outwardly honoring the prophets of the past while inwardly rejecting God's messengers. He declares that because of their continued defiance, they are bringing upon themselves the judgment for all the righteous blood shed since the beginning of time. This prophecy of sending more prophets and apostles, whom they will persecute, emphasizes the nation's ongoing rejection of God's truth.
Jesus is exposing the hypocrisy of the religious leaders, calling them out for outwardly honoring the prophets of the past while inwardly rejecting God's messengers. He declares that because of their continued defiance, they are bringing upon themselves the judgment for all the righteous blood shed since the beginning of time. This prophecy of sending more prophets and apostles, whom they will persecute, emphasizes the nation's ongoing rejection of God's truth.
"Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute,’" — While Jesus calls himself "Wisdom of God," the verse highlights the sequence of divine messengers: prophets first (Old Testament history), then apostles (New Testament era), revealing God's consist…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
