Verse 25: “John, fulfilling his course said, ‘Who do you suppose me to be? NOT am I He. Behold one is coming after me whom I am not worthy to loosen the sandal of the feet.’” 

Fulfilling his course: Completing what God had given him to do. NOT am I He: John denied that he was, in any way, the Messiah. I am not worthy: Matthew 3v11

Verse 26: “Men and brethren, sons of the stock of Abraham, and the ones who, in you, are fearing God – to you is the word of this salvation sent.” 

The stock of Abraham: Those who have Abraham’s DNA, genes. The character of Abraham’s spiritual DNA was faith. He believed what God said and was changed by the covenantal promise of God. 

To you: It is to a narrow group of people – those who have an expectation of God’s faithfulness, believing that God will bring about His promise – the greatest aspect of that promise being a Saviour who will deal with our sin. 

The word: God brings transformation through His Word.

Verse 27: “For the ones dwelling in Jerusalem, and their leaders, this One they did not know, nor the voices of the prophets, those each and every Shabbat which are read, they condemned him and fulfilled what the Scripture said would take place.” 

This One: Messiah Did not know: This is not a word of ignorance, but one of rebellion. 

Voices of the prophets: The best place to learn about Messiah is through prophecy – all of the prophets.

Verse 28: “Without cause of death finding, they asked Pilate to lift Him up.” 

Without cause of death finding: They did not find a reason to put Him to death. Lift Him up: It hints to the crucifixion, being raised up. 101

Verse 29: “When all things were fulfilled concerning Him, which had been written, they took Him down from the tree. They set Him in a tomb.” 

Fulfilled: This is a different word to the one we used in 13v25. It means to ‘make perfect’. 

From the tree: Being placed on a tree was a fulfilment of prophecy (Deuteronomy 21v22-23, Galatians 3v13)

Verse 30: “But God raised Him from the dead.” 

But: In contrast to what they thought or expected.

Verse 31: “Who appeared, upon many days, to the ones who went up with Him from Galilee into Jerusalem. Who are His witnesses to the people.”