Acts 13:25-29

13:25 But while John was completing his mission,¹ he said repeatedly,² ‘What do you think I am? I am not he. But look, one is coming after me. I am not worthy to untie the sandals on his feet!’³ 13:26 Brothers,⁴ descendants⁵ of Abraham’s family,⁶ and those Gentiles among you who fear God,⁷ the message⁸ of this salvation has been sent to us. 13:27 For the people who live in Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize⁹ him,¹⁰ and they fulfilled the sayings¹¹ of the prophets that are read every Sabbath by condemning¹² him.¹³ 13:28 Though¹⁴ they found¹⁵ no basis¹⁶ for a death sentence,¹⁷ they asked Pilate to have him executed. 13:29 When they had accomplished¹⁸ everything that was written¹⁹ about him, they took him down²⁰ from the cross²¹ and placed him²² in a tomb.

¹tn Or “task.”

²tn The verb ἔλεγεν (elegen) has been translated as an iterative imperfect, since John undoubtedly said this or something similar on numerous occasions.

³tn Literally a relative clause, “of whom I am not worthy to untie the sandals of his feet.” Because of the awkwardness of this construction in English, a new sentence was begun here.

⁴tn Grk “Men brothers,” but this is both awkward and unnecessary in English.

⁵tn Grk “sons”

⁶tn Or “race.”

⁷tn Grk “and those among you who fear God,” but this is practically a technical term for the category called God-fearers, Gentiles who worshiped the God of Israel and in many cases kept the Mosaic law, but did not take the final step of circumcision necessary to become a proselyte to Judaism. See further K. G. Kuhn, TDNT 6:732-34, 743-44. Note how Paul includes God-fearing Gentiles as recipients of this promise.

⁸tn Grk “word.”

⁹tn BDAG 12-13 s.v. ἀγνοέω 1.b gives “not to know w. acc. of pers.” as the meaning here, but “recognize” is a better translation in this context because recognition of the true identity of the one they condemned is the issue. See Acts 2:22-24; 4:26-28.

¹⁰tn Grk “this one.”

¹¹tn Usually φωνή (fwnh) means “voice,” but BDAG 1071-72 s.v. φωνή 2.c has “Also of sayings in scripture…Ac 13:27.”

sn They fulfilled the sayings. The people in Jerusalem and the Jewish rulers should have known better, because they had the story read to them weekly in the synagogue.

¹²tn The participle κρίναντες (krinante") is instrumental here.

¹³tn The word “him” is not in the Greek text but is implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.

¹⁴tn Grk “And though.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.

¹⁵tn The participle εὑρόντες (Jeuronte") has been translated as a concessive adverbial participle.

¹⁶sn No basis. Luke insists on Jesus’ innocence again and again in Luke 23:1-25.

¹⁷tn Grk “no basis for death,” but in this context a sentence of death is clearly indicated.

¹⁸tn Or “carried out.”

¹⁹sn That is, everything that was written in OT scripture.

²⁰tn Grk “taking him down from the cross, they placed him.” The participle καθελόντες (kaqelonte") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

²¹tn Grk “tree,” but frequently figurative for a cross. The allusion is to Deut 21:23. See Acts 5:30; 10:39.

²²tn The word “him” is not in the Greek text but is implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.