Acts 13:28

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

And {G2532} though they found {G2147} no {G3367} cause {G156} of death {G2288} in him, yet desired they {G154} Pilate {G4091} that he {G846} should be slain {G337}.

They could not find any legitimate ground for a death sentence; nevertheless they asked Pilate to have him executed;

And though they found no ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have Him executed.

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

Acts 13:28 is part of Paul's powerful sermon in Antioch of Pisidia, where he recounts the history of Israel and the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. This specific verse highlights the profound injustice surrounding Jesus' trial and crucifixion.

Context

Paul is addressing a synagogue audience, explaining how the prophecies concerning the Messiah were fulfilled in Jesus. He recounts the events leading to Jesus' death, emphasizing the role of the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem and the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. Despite Jesus' blameless life and the lack of any legitimate charge against Him, the leaders relentlessly pursued His execution. This verse underscores the human culpability in the crucifixion, even as it was part of God's sovereign plan for salvation.

Key Themes

  • Innocence and Injustice: The verse explicitly states that "they found no cause of death in him," affirming Jesus' complete innocence from any legal transgression. This starkly contrasts with the unjust desire to have Him killed, highlighting the profound injustice of His trial. Pilate himself declared Jesus' innocence multiple times, yet yielded to pressure.
  • Rejection of the Messiah: The "they" refers to the Jewish leaders and the crowd who demanded Jesus' death. Their actions represent a tragic rejection of their long-awaited Messiah, a theme echoed throughout the Gospels and the book of Acts. This rejection, while humanly sinful, was ironically part of God's redemptive purpose.
  • Human Culpability and Divine Purpose: While Jesus' death was foreordained by God (as seen in Acts 2:23), this verse emphasizes that the immediate cause was human malice and a perversion of justice. The leaders actively "desired Pilate that he should be slain," taking full responsibility for their actions.

Linguistic Insight

The KJV phrase "found no cause of death [in him]" is a direct and clear translation of the Greek aitian thanatou (αἰτίαν θανάτου), meaning "a cause of death" or "a charge worthy of death." This legal terminology powerfully conveys that Jesus was found innocent of any crime that would warrant capital punishment. The clarity of the language reinforces the absolute lack of legal grounds for His execution, making the subsequent demand for His death even more egregious.

Cross-References & Connections

  • Pilate's repeated declarations of Jesus' innocence are recorded in the Gospels, such as Luke 23:4, John 18:38, and John 19:6.
  • The crowd's insistence on His crucifixion despite Pilate's attempts to release Him is detailed in Matthew 27:22-23 and Mark 15:13-14.
  • This verse also connects to prophetic passages, such as Isaiah 53:9, which speaks of the righteous servant being "with the wicked in his death" though he had done "no violence."

Practical Application

Acts 13:28 serves as a powerful reminder of several timeless truths:

  • The Power of Popular Opinion vs. Truth: It illustrates how easily truth and justice can be overridden by mob mentality, hatred, or political expediency. It challenges us to stand for what is right, even when it is unpopular.
  • God's Sovereignty Amidst Human Sin: Despite the profound injustice and human sinfulness displayed, God's ultimate plan for salvation was perfectly executed through the crucifixion. This reminds believers that God can work His purposes even through the darkest human actions.
  • The Innocence of Christ: The verse unequivocally affirms Jesus' sinless nature, which is foundational to His role as the perfect sacrifice for humanity's sins. His blamelessness makes His death all the more profound and redemptive.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 27:22

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

  • Matthew 27:25

    Then answered all the people, and said, His blood [be] on us, and on our children.

  • Luke 23:14

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

  • Luke 23:16

    I will therefore chastise him, and release [him].

  • John 19:4

    Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.

  • Luke 23:21

    But they cried, saying, Crucify [him], crucify him.

  • Luke 23:25

    And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.

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