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

LUKE 11:49KJV
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Luke 11:49 (KJV)

What does Luke 11:49 mean?

Luke 11:49 says that God’s wisdom declared He would send prophets and apostles, but some of these messengers would be killed or persecuted. This verse highlights a pattern where God sends His representatives, yet people often reject them violently.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to religious leaders, warning them about their history of rejecting God’s messengers. By mentioning “the wisdom of God,” Jesus points to a divine plan where prophets and apostles are sent, knowing that some will face hostility. The verse sets up a theme of accountability for how God’s messengers are treated.

The Greek behind Luke 11:49

  • σοφία (sophia, “wisdom”): This word means more than just intelligence; it often refers to God’s wise plan or purpose. Here, it suggests that God’s actions are guided by a deep, purposeful wisdom, not random chance.
  • ἀποστέλλω (apostellō, “send”): This verb means to send out with a mission. It is the root of “apostle,” showing that those sent by God are given a special task or authority.
  • προφήτας (prophētas, “prophets”) and ἀποστόλους (apostolous, “apostles”): The pairing of these two groups connects the Old Testament prophets with the New Testament apostles, showing continuity in God’s way of reaching people.
  • ἀποκτενοῦσιν (apoktenousin, “they shall slay”) and διώξουσιν (diōxousin, “persecute”): These strong verbs emphasize the violent rejection that God’s messengers often face, underlining the seriousness of the warning.

Why Luke 11:49 matters

  • Luke 11:49 clarifies that the rejection of God’s messengers is not a new problem but part of a long-standing pattern, connecting the religious leaders’ actions to those of their ancestors.
  • The verse emphasizes that God’s sending of prophets and apostles is intentional and wise, not a mistake or oversight, highlighting God’s patience and purpose.
  • This verse sets up the following verses, where Jesus explains the consequences of this rejection, helping readers understand the seriousness of ignoring or harming those sent by God.

Where else these words appear

“persecute” Greek G1559 · used in 2 verses

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

“wisdom” Greek G4678 · used in 49 verses

  • Matthew 11:19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
  • 1 Corinthians 1:20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
  • Ephesians 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

“slay” Greek G615 · used in 71 verses

  • Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
  • Luke 11:48 Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.
  • Acts 7:52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

“apostles” Greek G652 · used in 80 verses

  • Matthew 10:2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
  • Acts 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
  • 2 Corinthians 11:5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.