For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.
because.
Acts 3:17 And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.
Luke 22:34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
John 8:28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
nor.
Matthew 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
Luke 24:25-27,44,45 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: …
which.
Acts 13:14,15 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down…
Acts 15:21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
they have.
Acts 26:22,23 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: …
Acts 28:23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.
Genesis 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
did not recognize Jesus
Despite the prophecies and signs, the people and their leaders failed to see Jesus as the Messiah. This lack of recognition is a recurring theme in the Gospels, where Jesus is often misunderstood or rejected by those He came to save. This blindness is both spiritual and prophetic, as foretold in Isaiah 53:3, which describes the Messiah as "despised and rejected by men."
yet in condemning Him
The condemnation of Jesus by the Jewish leaders led to His crucifixion, a pivotal event in Christian theology. This act of condemnation was not just a legal judgment but a fulfillment of divine purpose. The leaders' decision to hand Jesus over to the Romans for execution was influenced by political and religious motives, including fear of losing their authority and misunderstanding of Jesus' mission.
they fulfilled the words of the prophets
This phrase highlights the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's suffering and rejection. Scriptures such as Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 detail the suffering servant, and these were realized in Jesus' passion and death. The fulfillment of prophecy serves as a testament to the divine orchestration of salvation history.
that are read every Sabbath
The Jewish practice of reading the Torah and the Prophets in synagogues every Sabbath meant that the people were regularly exposed to the very scriptures that foretold the coming of the Messiah. Despite this, they failed to connect these prophecies with Jesus. This regular reading underscores the irony and tragedy of their lack of recognition, as the truth was proclaimed to them weekly.
Luke reminds us that both the common crowd and the leaders shared responsibility.
• Luke 23:13-18 shows Pilate addressing “the chief priests, rulers, and the people.”
• John 1:11 says, “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.”
These verses highlight a nationwide rejection, fulfilling Isaiah 53:3—“He was despised and rejected by men.” The accountability is collective, not limited to a few officials.
Despite witnessing miracles and hearing His teaching, their spiritual blindness remained.
• Matthew 16:1-4 records leaders demanding more signs.
• 2 Corinthians 4:4 explains, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers.”
Ignorance here is willful; truth was present, yet hearts were hardened (Hebrews 3:7-8).
Their rejection culminated in handing Jesus over to Roman authority (Mark 15:1).
• Acts 2:23 reminds us He was “delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge.”
Even their sinful choice became the very means God used to accomplish redemption.
Every step of Jesus’ passion matched prophetic detail.
• Psalm 22 foretold mockery and pierced hands.
• Isaiah 53 predicted silent suffering and being “numbered with the transgressors.”
Peter echoes this in 1 Peter 1:10-11, noting prophets anticipated Christ’s sufferings and glories.
Ironically, the same scrolls proclaimed weekly in synagogue pointed to the Messiah they missed.
• Luke 4:16-21 shows Jesus reading Isaiah and declaring its fulfillment.
• Acts 15:21 observes, “For Moses has been proclaimed in every city from ancient times and is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
Regular exposure to Scripture is not enough; receptive hearts are essential (James 1:22-25).
Acts 13:27 reveals the tragic yet sovereignly guided rejection of Jesus. Jerusalem’s people and leaders, though blind to their own Scriptures, unwittingly carried out God’s redemptive plan. Their ignorance led to condemnation, but that very act fulfilled centuries-old prophecies read aloud each Sabbath. God’s Word proved true, Christ’s mission was accomplished, and the passage calls us to read Scripture with open eyes and obedient hearts.
(27) For they that dwell at Jerusalem.--The implied reason of the mission to the Gentiles and more distant Jews is that the offer of salvation had been rejected by those who would naturally have been its first recipients, and who, had they received it, would have been, in their turn, witnesses to those that were "far off," in both the local and spiritual sense of those words.The voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day.--See Note on Acts 13:15. The Apostle appeals to the synagogue ritual from which the discourse started, as in itself bearing witness, not to the popular notions of a conquering Messiah, but to the true ideal of the chief of sufferers, which had been realised in Jesus.
Verse 27. - In for at, A.V.; nor for nor yet, A.V.; sabbath for sabbath day, A.V.; fulfilled... by for they have fulfilled... in, A.V. For they, etc. It is not clear what is the force of the γὰρ in this verse. Meyer (following Chrysostom), Alford, and others, make it mark the contrast between the Jews addressed by Paul and the Jews at Jerusalem. "This salvation is sent forth to you [according to Bengel, 'from Jerusalem,' according to others, 'from God'], for the Jerusalem Jews have rejected Christ. And in consequence of their rejection, you, who had no share in crucifying the Lord of glory, are invited to take their place. But it maybe taken as expressing the cause why this salvation is complete and capable of being offered to them. This salvation is preached to you because, through the instrumentality of those that dwell at Jerusalem, all that was written in the Scriptures concerning Christ has been fulfilled. Christ has been crucified and raised from the dead, and so now remission of sins is proclaimed to you through him (vers. 38, 39; comp. Acts 3:13-20). Which are read every sabbath. Note the value of the constant reading of Holy Scripture in the congregation.