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.

ACTS 13:27KJV
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Acts 13:27 (KJV)

What does Acts 13:27 mean?

Acts 13:27 says that the people living in Jerusalem and their leaders did not recognize who Jesus was, nor did they understand the messages of the prophets that were read to them every Sabbath. Because of this lack of understanding, they ended up fulfilling those very prophecies by condemning Jesus.

In this verse, Paul is speaking in a synagogue, addressing fellow Jews and those who respect God. He points out that even though the Jewish leaders and people regularly heard the prophets’ words in their worship gatherings, they did not realize those words pointed to Jesus. Ironically, by rejecting and condemning Jesus, they actually carried out what the prophets had foretold would happen to the Messiah.

The Greek behind Acts 13:27

  • "knew" (ἔγνωσαν, egnōsan): This word means to recognize or understand. The verse stresses that the people and rulers did not truly grasp who Jesus was, even though they had the Scriptures.
  • "voices" (φωνάς, phōnas): This refers to the messages or words of the prophets. The Greek here highlights that the prophetic writings were not just read but spoken aloud, emphasizing their public and repeated proclamation.
  • "fulfilled" (ἐπλήρωσαν, eplērōsan): This means to bring to completion. Paul is saying their actions, though done in ignorance, actually completed what the prophets had predicted.
  • "condemning" (κρίναντες, krinantes): This word means to judge or pass sentence. The Greek here shows that the act of condemning Jesus was a deliberate judgment, not just a passive event.

Why Acts 13:27 matters

  • Acts 13:27 clarifies that ignorance of Jesus’ true identity and the meaning of the prophets’ words was widespread, even among those most familiar with the Scriptures.
  • The verse highlights a deep irony: the very people who should have recognized the Messiah ended up fulfilling prophecy by rejecting him.
  • This verse connects Paul’s message to the larger story of Israel and the fulfillment of God’s promises, showing that even human misunderstanding and opposition were part of God’s plan.

Where else these words appear

“knew” Greek G50 · used in 21 verses

  • Mark 9:32 But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.
  • Romans 7:1 Know ye not, brethren,(for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?
  • 2 Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

“read” Greek G314 · used in 30 verses

  • Matthew 12:3 But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;
  • Mark 12:26 And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?
  • Acts 15:31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

“rulers” Greek G758 · used in 36 verses

  • Matthew 9:18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.
  • Luke 23:13 And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,
  • Acts 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

“dwell” Greek G2730 · used in 43 verses

  • Matthew 2:23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
  • Acts 7:48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,
  • James 4:5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?