“Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. Acts 13:29

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In the previous verse, Paul noted that the rulers of Israel asked Pilate to have Jesus put to death, even though they found no cause for death in Him. Paul now continues with, “Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him.”

This is an all-encompassing statement of what occurred. It includes Christ’s rejection by the rulers, His being apprehended, tried, beaten, handed over to Pilate, scourged, offered gall, crucified, mocked, given sour wine, and so on. The Jewish Scriptures are filled with hints of these things. And even though some of them were written about the trials or afflictions of others, such as David, they bear a dual fulfillment in anticipation of Christ Jesus.

Of the words “all that was written,” Bengel rightly says, “They could do no more (nothing beyond what was written). In Jesus all things that were written were fulfilled.” All that was done to Jesus is just what was prophesied about Him. Without leaving anything out, and without their adding anything not recorded, what happened to Christ Jesus is the exacting fulfillment of what was written beforehand. After that, Paul says, “they took Him down from the tree.”

This was approved by Pilate once it was confirmed that Jesus was dead. The body was taken down by Joseph of Arimathea (Mark 15:46). Nicodemus joined him (John 19:39) and together they prepared the body for burial according to the custom of the Jews. After this, Paul says, “and laid Him in a tomb.”

This was also accomplished by Joseph and Nicodemus –

“Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.” John 19:41, 42

Even these actions were prophesied in advance. These things, recorded in the four gospels, exactly fulfill a vast array of prophecies found in Scripture. Paul carefully detailed all of this to ensure that those who heard it would be fully aware of things they may not have heard before. From there, it would be their responsibility to check out what was said. If they simply dismissed his words, or if they were just too lazy to determine if what he said was true, the responsibility for their failure would rest solely with them.

Life application: There are many who dismiss the things written about Jesus as fables, but it is beyond credulity to think that the Scriptures that were maintained and built upon for well over a thousand years were somehow not speaking of what the gospels later detail. Everything was written precisely and with the minutest detail to let Israel, and now us, know that Jesus Christ is the exacting fulfillment of everything that was written.

Each person is expected to check these things out. In accepting the word is what it claims to be, we should then be prepared to defend it and explain what we have learned. There are many who will simply refuse to believe. There are also people who have been told the stories aren’t true, but who are curious to check them out anyway. It might be you who they come to who will start that process, so be ready! Let us share all we can about this wonderful story concerning what God has done in the sending of Jesus to bring us back to Himself.

Thank You, Lord God, for the precision of Your word. It is so carefully structured and meticulously detailed that we have every assurance that Jesus is truly the Christ. And through tears of joy in our confidence of this fact, help us to share the good news with others as well. Jesus! Jesus has come! Thank You for Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.