Acts 13:29
And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.
Original Language Analysis
ὡς
when
G5613
ὡς
when
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
1 of 15
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ἐτέλεσαν
they had fulfilled
G5055
ἐτέλεσαν
they had fulfilled
Strong's:
G5055
Word #:
3 of 15
to end, i.e., complete, execute, conclude, discharge (a debt)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
περὶ
of
G4012
περὶ
of
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
6 of 15
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 15
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
γεγραμμένα
that was written
G1125
γεγραμμένα
that was written
Strong's:
G1125
Word #:
8 of 15
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
καθελόντες
they took him down
G2507
καθελόντες
they took him down
Strong's:
G2507
Word #:
9 of 15
to lower (or with violence) demolish (literally or figuratively)
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
10 of 15
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ξύλου
the tree
G3586
ξύλου
the tree
Strong's:
G3586
Word #:
12 of 15
timber (as fuel or material); by implication, a stick, club or tree or other wooden article or substance
ἔθηκαν
and laid
G5087
ἔθηκαν
and laid
Strong's:
G5087
Word #:
13 of 15
to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from g2476, which pr
Cross References
Luke 23:53And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.John 19:30When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.John 19:28After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.Acts 5:30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.Luke 24:44And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
Historical Context
Paul delivered this sermon in Pisidian Antioch (modern Turkey) around AD 47-48 during his first missionary journey. Speaking in a synagogue (Acts 13:14-15), he traces Israel's history from the Exodus to Jesus, demonstrating that the crucifixion and resurrection fulfill God's ancient promises. His audience included both Jews and 'God-fearers' (Gentile converts to Judaism).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the irony of Christ's enemies fulfilling prophecy demonstrate God's sovereignty over human opposition?
- What does Paul's emphasis on 'all that was written' teach about the unity and reliability of Old Testament Scripture?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
When they had fulfilled all that was written of him—Paul emphasizes the complete fulfillment of messianic prophecy. The Greek τελέσαντες (telesantes, 'having completed/fulfilled') carries the sense of bringing to perfect completion, echoing Jesus's cry τετέλεσται (tetelestai, 'It is finished,' John 19:30). Paul's point is devastating: the Jewish leaders who rejected Jesus actually fulfilled the very Scriptures they claimed to uphold (Psalm 22, Isaiah 53).
Took him down from the tree (ἀπὸ τοῦ ξύλου, apo tou xylou)—'Tree' translates the Hebrew עֵץ ('ets), deliberately invoking Deuteronomy 21:22-23: 'cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree' (cited in Galatians 3:13). This underscores that Christ became a curse for us. The irony is profound: those who condemned Him as cursed unknowingly participated in redemption. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, though not named here, fulfill this prophecy (John 19:38-42).