Acts 13:29 - When they had fulfilled all things that were written about him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb.

Generated Verse: Acts 13:29

What does "Acts 13:29" mean?


Acts 13:29 is a concise summary of the events following Jesus' crucifixion. Let's break it down to understand its meaning:

"When they had fulfilled all things that were written about him...": This is the key phrase. It refers to the belief that Jesus' death and burial were not random occurrences, but rather the fulfillment of prophecies found throughout the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). The speakers in Acts (in this case, Paul) are emphasizing that Jesus' life and death were part of God's preordained plan. Examples of prophecies thought to be fulfilled include:
Isaiah 53: Depicts a suffering servant who is wounded and crushed for the sins of others.
Psalm 22: Describes a person being mocked, pierced, and surrounded by enemies.
Zechariah 12:10: Prophesies about looking upon the one who was pierced.
Prophecies about a Davidic King: A King from the line of David
"...they took him down from the tree...": This refers to the act of removing Jesus' body from the cross after he had died. This was a necessary step before burial.
"...and laid him in a tomb.": This describes the burial of Jesus in a tomb, likely a rock-cut tomb owned by Joseph of Arimathea (as described in the Gospels).

In essence, the verse emphasizes two main points:

1. Fulfillment of Prophecy: Jesus' death and burial were part of God's plan, fulfilling prophecies in the Hebrew scriptures. This serves as evidence for believers that Jesus was the Messiah.
2. Physical Death and Burial: The verse highlights that Jesus truly died and was buried. This is crucial for the subsequent belief in his resurrection. He wasn't just in a coma; he was dead and placed in a tomb.

Context is important:

This verse is part of a speech by Paul in a synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia. He is trying to convince his audience (primarily Jews) that Jesus is the Messiah. By pointing to the fulfillment of prophecy, he aims to provide evidence and build a case for believing in Jesus.

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