Bible Strands
Acts 13:27
The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning Him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses a synagogue congregation of Jewish descendants and God-fearing Gentiles, concluding his sermon by explaining how Jerusalem's inhabitants and local authorities acted during Jesus' trial.
The words — κατοικοῦντες (katoikountes) literally means "dwelling" or "residing," identifying the Jerusalem population, while ἄρχοντες (archontes) translates to "rulers" or "leaders," naming the local officials who authorized the execution.
The thread — The connection between unrecognized leadership and prophetic fulfillment runs through Acts 3:17, which states that Jerusalem's leaders acted in ignorance, and Luke 24:20, which records chief priests and rulers delivering Jesus to a death sentence.
Why it lands — The text states that Jerusalem's rulers condemned Jesus without recognizing Him, yet this condemnation fulfilled the prophetic scriptures read weekly in synagogues. This requires readers to acknowledge that human judicial rejection of Jesus directly accomplished the written Word, placing historical responsibility on the authorities while confirming the inevitability of the prophetic record.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For 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.
Cross-references
- Acts 3:17 And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders.
- Luke 24:20 Our chief priests and rulers delivered Him up to the sentence of death, and they crucified Him.
- Luke 24:24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had described. But Him they did not see.”
- Acts 15:21 For Moses has been proclaimed in every city from ancient times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”
- Acts 26:22 But I have had God’s help to this day, and I stand here to testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen:
- Romans 11:25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.
- Matthew 22:29 Jesus answered, “You are mistaken because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.
- John 8:28 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing on My own, but speak exactly what the Father has taught Me.
- John 15:21 But they will treat you like this because of My name, since they do not know the One who sent Me.
- Acts 28:23 So they set a day to meet with Paul, and many people came to the place he was staying. He expounded to them from morning to evening, testifying about the kingdom of God and persuading them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets.