And though they found no ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have Him executed.
Parallel translations
- WEB Though they found no cause for death, they still asked Pilate to have him killed.
- KJV And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.
- ESV And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed.
- NKJV And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death.
- NASB And though they found no grounds for putting Him to death, they asked Pilate that He be executed.
- NLT They found no legal reason to execute him, but they asked Pilate to have him killed anyway.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Though they found no grounds for death, they demanded Pilate execute him. Jesus suffered though innocent.
Overview
Paul stresses Jesus' innocence: no valid charge warranted his death, yet his accusers pressed Pilate to kill him. The note of injustice underscores that Jesus died not for his own sin but as the spotless one. His unjust death prepares the way for the message of his resurrection and the salvation it secures.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Matt 27:22–25“What then should I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify Him!”
- Luke 23:14–16and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined Him here in your presence and found Him not guilty of your charges against Him.
- Luke 23:21–25but they kept shouting, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”
- John 19:4Once again Pilate came out and said to the Jews, “Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against Him.”
- Luke 23:4–5Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”
- Mark 15:13–15And they shouted back, “Crucify Him!”
- Acts 3:13–14The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus. You handed Him over and rejected Him before Pilate, even though he had decided to release Him.
- John 18:38“What is truth?” Pilate asked. And having said this, he went out again to the Jews and told them, “I find no basis for a charge against Him.
- Matt 27:19While Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered terribly in a dream today because of Him.”
- John 19:12–16From then on, Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who declares himself a king is defying Caesar.”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
How Acts 13:28 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.