Devine Scripture

Acts 13:28

What does Acts 13:28 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 13:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 13:28 means

Despite the Jewish leaders finding no legitimate charge deserving of death against Jesus, they still demanded that Pilate execute Him. This highlights the clear injustice of Jesus's condemnation, revealing that His execution was driven by malice and political pressure rather than true criminality. It underscores the profound innocence of Jesus even in the eyes of His accusers, emphasizing the purely sacrificial nature of His death. This was a fulfillment of prophecy, where the righteous suffering Servant would be unjustly condemned.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And though they found no cause of death in him, yet asked they of Pilate that he should be slain.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And though they found no cause of death in him, yet asked they of Pilate that he should be slain.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And though no cause of death was seen in him, they made a request to Pilate that he might be put to death.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and no cause of death having found, they did ask of Pilate that he should be slain,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And finding no cause of death in him, they desired of Pilate that they might kill him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And having found no cause of death [in him], they begged of Pilate that he might be slain.

Context

Following the explanation that Jerusalem's leaders unknowingly fulfilled prophecy by condemning Jesus in verse 27, this verse details their direct action in demanding Jesus's execution from Pilate despite finding no legal cause. This specific act of injustice progresses Paul's narrative toward Jesus's actual death and burial in verse 29, establishing that these events were not random but orchestrated for a divine purpose, setting the stage for the climactic declaration of His resurrection.

v.27For 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.

v.28This passage

v.29And when they had fulfilled all things that were written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb.

Cross references

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

  • Luke 23:14

    and said unto them, Ye brought unto me this man, as one that perverteth the people: and behold, I, having examined him before you, found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:

  • John 19:12

    Upon this Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou release this man, thou art not Cæsar’s friend: every one that maketh himself a king speaketh against Cæsar.

  • John 18:38

    Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find no crime in him.

  • Mark 15:13

    And they cried out again, Crucify him.

  • Luke 23:21

    but they shouted, saying, Crucify, crucify him.

  • Matthew 27:22

    Pilate saith unto them, What then shall I do unto Jesus who is called Christ? They all say, Let him be crucified.

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