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  descendants ⁵  of Abraham’s family, ⁶  and those Gentiles among you who fear God, ⁷  the message ⁸  of this salvation has been sent to us. 13:27 For the people who live in Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize ⁹  him, ¹⁰  and they fulfilled the sayings ¹¹  of the prophets that are read every Sabbath by condemning ¹²  him. ¹³  13:28 Though ¹⁴  they found ¹⁵  no basis ¹⁶  for a death sentence, ¹⁷  they asked Pilate to have him executed. 13:29 When they had accomplished ¹⁸  everything that was written ¹⁹  about him, they took him down ²⁰  from the cross ²¹  and placed him ²²  in a tomb.

¹ tn Or “task.”

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

³ tn 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.

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

⁵ tn Grk “sons”

⁶ tn Or “race.”

⁷ tn 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.

⁸ tn Grk “word.”

⁹ tn 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.

¹⁰ tn Grk “this one.”

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

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

¹³ tn 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.

¹⁴ tn 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.

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

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

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

¹⁸ tn Or “carried out.”

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

²⁰ tn 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.

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

²² tn 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.