Acts 13:27
What does Acts 13:27 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 13:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 13:27 means
Paul points out a tragic irony: the residents and rulers in Jerusalem, by condemning Jesus, unknowingly fulfilled the prophecies of the prophets that were read in their synagogues every Sabbath. Despite their familiarity with the Scriptures, they failed to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Their ignorance and rejection, though sinful, paradoxically served God's sovereign plan to bring about Christ's atoning death. This highlights the blindness of unbelief and the mysterious way God works His purposes through human actions.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For they that dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For they that dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For the men of Jerusalem and their rulers, having no knowledge of him, or of the sayings of the prophets which come to their ears every Sabbath day, gave effect to them by judging him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for those dwelling in Jerusalem, and their chiefs, this one not having known, also the voices of the prophets, which every sabbath are being read--having judged <FI>him<Fi> --did fulfil,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For they that inhabited Jerusalem and the rulers thereof, not knowing him, nor the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath, judging him, have fulfilled them.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890for those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, not having known him, have fulfilled also the voices of the prophets which are read on every sabbath, [by] judging [him].
Context
Following the declaration that salvation is offered to the audience in verse 26, this verse explains how the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, through their rejection of Jesus, unwittingly fulfilled prophetic scriptures. This narrative detail sets the foundation for understanding the necessity of Jesus’s death. This leads directly to the specifics of Jesus's condemnation and crucifixion, as described in verses 28-29, demonstrating how these events were not accidental but part of God's predetermined plan, even through human opposition.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 3:17
And now, brethren, I know that in ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.
- Acts 28:23
And when they had appointed him a day, they came to him into his lodging in great number; to whom he expounded the matter, testifying the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning till evening.
- Luke 22:34
And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, until thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
- John 16:3
And these things will they do, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
- Luke 24:20
and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.
- 2 Corinthians 3:14
but their minds were hardened: for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remaineth, it not being revealed to them that it is done away in Christ.
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