Acts 13:28

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 13:28, embedded within Paul's pivotal sermon in Antioch of Pisidia, starkly reveals the profound injustice surrounding Jesus' trial and crucifixion. Despite the complete absence of any legitimate charge warranting death, the Jewish leaders and the populace relentlessly pressured Pontius Pilate to condemn Jesus, highlighting the tragic human culpability in the Messiah's rejection and execution, even as it paradoxically fulfilled God's sovereign redemptive plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Paul's sermon in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia (Acts 13:16-41) is a masterful theological and historical exposition, tracing God's redemptive plan from Israel's history to the advent of Jesus. Within this extensive discourse, Acts 13:28 is part of Paul's recounting of Jesus' earthly ministry, trial, and crucifixion (Acts 13:27-29). Having established Jesus' lineage through David and His identity as the promised Savior, Paul then addresses the tragic events leading to His death. This verse serves as a critical bridge, detailing the human actions that led to Jesus' execution, thereby setting the stage for Paul to declare the good news of salvation through Christ's resurrection and the forgiveness of sins, which he immediately pivots to in the subsequent verses (Acts 13:30-39). The verse emphasizes the human responsibility in the crucifixion, even as it foreshadows God's overarching purpose.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events described in Acts 13:28 unfolded in Judea under Roman occupation. While the Jewish Sanhedrin had considerable religious and judicial authority, capital punishment required the approval of the Roman prefect, Pontius Pilate. Jewish law (e.g., [Deuteronomy 17:6](/deuteronomy/17-6 "Deuteronomy 17:6 - Requirement for Witnesses")) required multiple witnesses for a capital offense, and Roman legal procedure also had its own due process. The cultural context reveals a volatile Jerusalem, where religious leaders were acutely sensitive to maintaining order under Roman rule, and popular opinion could be swayed by intense pressure. The immense pressure exerted on Pilate by the Jewish leadership and the crowd, as depicted in the Gospels, demonstrates a mob mentality overriding legal principles and Pilate's own assessment of Jesus' innocence, ultimately leading to a gross miscarriage of justice.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Acts and the broader New Testament. It underscores the **Innocence of Jesus**, revealing that even His accusers could find no legitimate legal grounds for His execution, a truth echoed by Pilate in [John 19:4](/john/19-4 "John 19:4 - Pilate Declares Jesus Innocent"). Furthermore, it highlights the theme of **Human Rejection of God's Messiah**, a tragic yet consistent motif throughout Israel's history, culminating in the rejection of Jesus by His own people. Despite this profound human sin, the verse implicitly points to **God's Sovereign Plan**, as the crucifixion, though a human act of malice, was paradoxically part of God's predetermined counsel for salvation, as articulated by Peter in [Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Predetermined Plan"). The perversion of justice witnessed here also speaks to the theme of **Injustice and Suffering**, which Jesus, the righteous one, endured on behalf of humanity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **found (Greek, _heurískō'_):** From G2147, meaning "to find (literally or figuratively); to get, obtain, perceive, see." In this context, it signifies a legal finding or determination. Despite their diligent search and accusations, the authorities could not "find" or establish any legitimate legal basis for a death sentence against Jesus. This term highlights the factual absence of any capital crime.
* **cause (Greek, _aitía'_):** From G156, meaning "a cause (as if asked for), i.e. (logical) reason (motive, matter), (legal) crime (alleged or proved)." This term functions as a legal indictment or charge. The phrase "no cause of death" (οὐδεμίαν αἰτίαν θανάτου) explicitly states that no crime worthy of capital punishment was proven or even existed against Jesus, thereby affirming His legal blamelessness.
* **slain (Greek, _anairéō'_):** From G337, meaning "to take up, i.e. adopt; by implication, to take away (violently), i.e. abolish, murder." Here, it directly refers to the act of putting to death or killing. The desire of the accusers was not merely for conviction, but for the violent execution of Jesus, even in the absence of a legal "cause," revealing their murderous intent.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And though they found no cause of death [in him]":** This initial clause underscores the absolute innocence of Jesus from a legal standpoint. "They" refers to the Jewish leaders and the crowd who brought Jesus before Pilate. Despite their intense scrutiny, false accusations, and fervent desire for His condemnation, no legitimate charge (no "cause of death") could be substantiated against Him that warranted capital punishment under either Jewish or Roman law. This highlights the profound perversion of justice and the undeniable blamelessness of the accused.
* **"yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain":** This second clause reveals the malicious intent and relentless pressure exerted by Jesus' accusers. The conjunction "yet" (καί, G2532, here with an adversative force, "and yet") emphasizes the stark contrast between the lack of legal grounds and their fervent demand for execution. Despite the legal nullity, their desire (from G154, _aitéō_, "to ask, beg, crave, require") was singularly focused on Jesus' death. They actively sought Pilate's authorization for His execution, demonstrating their full culpability in this unjust act.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 13:28 powerfully employs **Irony** and **Juxtaposition**. The profound **irony** lies in the fact that those who claimed to uphold God's law were the very ones who perverted justice to condemn the innocent Son of God, finding "no cause of death" yet demanding His execution. This highlights the spiritual blindness and rebellion of the religious establishment. The verse also uses strong **juxtaposition** by placing the clear declaration of Jesus' innocence ("found no cause of death") directly against the fervent, unjust demand for His execution ("yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain"). This stark contrast amplifies the egregious nature of the act, emphasizing the moral depravity and unreasoning hatred that drove the accusers, despite the absence of any legal justification. The language itself reflects **Legal Terminology**, using terms like "cause of death" (αἰτίαν θανάτου) which are forensic in nature, lending a chilling authenticity to the description of a judicial process gone horribly wrong.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 13:28 is a poignant theological statement on the nature of sin, justice, and divine sovereignty. It reveals the depth of human depravity and spiritual blindness that could lead to the rejection and murder of the innocent Son of God. The verse underscores that Jesus' death was not a consequence of any personal sin or legal transgression, but rather the result of human malice and a profound miscarriage of justice. This absolute innocence is foundational to His role as the spotless Lamb, whose sacrifice alone could atone for the sins of humanity. Paradoxically, this human act of injustice was woven into God's eternal plan for redemption, demonstrating His ability to bring about His perfect will even through the most heinous human actions.
* [Luke 23:22](/luke/23-22 "Luke 23:22 - Pilate's Third Declaration of Innocence")
* [John 19:6](/john/19-6 "John 19:6 - Pilate Finds No Guilt")
* [Isaiah 53:9](/isaiah/53-9 "Isaiah 53:9 - The Innocent Suffering Servant")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 13:28 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, challenging us to reflect on the nature of truth, justice, and our response to divine revelation. The verse serves as a stark reminder that popular opinion, political pressure, or even religious fervor can tragically distort truth and pervert justice, leading to the condemnation of the innocent. It calls us to cultivate discernment and moral courage, standing for what is righteous even when it is unpopular or costly. Furthermore, it reinforces the foundational truth of Christ's perfect innocence, which is the bedrock of our salvation; His blamelessness makes His substitutionary death uniquely powerful and redemptive. This passage encourages us to trust in God's sovereign plan, recognizing that even through the darkest moments of human sin and injustice, His redemptive purposes are unfailingly accomplished, offering hope and assurance in a world often marked by similar injustices.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the injustice faced by Jesus challenge our understanding of justice in the world today?**
* **In what ways might we, like those in the narrative, be tempted to yield to popular pressure rather than standing for truth?**
* **How does Jesus' perfect innocence, highlighted in this verse, deepen your appreciation for His atoning sacrifice?**

### FAQ
**Why did Pilate condemn Jesus if he found no cause for death?**

Pilate, as the Roman prefect, held the ultimate authority for capital punishment in Judea. Although he repeatedly declared Jesus innocent (e.g., [John 18:38](/john/18-38 "John 18:38 - Pilate Finds No Guilt") and [John 19:4](/john/19-4 "John 19:4 - Pilate Declares Jesus Innocent")), he ultimately succumbed to intense political pressure and the threat of a riot from the Jewish leaders and the crowd. They leveraged accusations of Jesus claiming to be a king, which could be interpreted as treason against Caesar ([John 19:12](/john/19-12 "John 19:12 - Pilate's Fear of Caesar")). Pilate prioritized maintaining Roman order and his own political standing over upholding justice for an innocent man, tragically washing his hands of the decision while still authorizing the crucifixion ([Matthew 27:24](/matthew/27-24 "Matthew 27:24 - Pilate Washes His Hands")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 13:28, while detailing the human rejection of Jesus, profoundly foreshadows His ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment as the innocent Lamb of God. The very injustice described—finding "no cause of death" yet demanding His execution—underscores Jesus' sinless perfection, which was essential for Him to be the perfect sacrifice for humanity's sins. As the prophet Isaiah foretold, He was "cut off out of the land of the living" despite having "done no violence" ([Isaiah 53:8-9](/isaiah/53-8-9 "Isaiah 53:8-9 - The Suffering Servant's Innocence")). This verse in Acts, therefore, points directly to the atoning work of Christ on the cross, where His blameless life was offered as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve and Give His Life")). His unjust condemnation became the means of our justification, for "He was delivered up for our transgressions and raised for our justification" ([Romans 4:25](/romans/4-25 "Romans 4:25 - Christ Died for Our Sins and Was Raised for Our Justification")). Thus, the human act of slaying the innocent Savior became the divine act of salvation, demonstrating God's sovereign plan to redeem humanity through the sacrifice of His Son ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18-19 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redeemed by the Precious Blood of Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.