The people of Jerusalem and their rulers didn’t recognize Jesus. By finding him guilty, they made the words of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath day, come true.
Brothers and sisters, here’s a mystery I want you to understand. It will keep you from being proud. Part of Israel has refused to obey God, and that will continue until the full number of Gentiles has entered God’s kingdom.
This will show respect for the law of Moses, since it has been preached in every city from the earliest times, and it’s read out loud in the synagogues every Sabbath day.”
The god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they can’t see the light of the good news that makes Christ’s glory clear. He is the image of God.
But they still don’t understand; to this day, the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. The veil has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away.
They arranged to meet with Paul on a certain day. When it came, even more of the Jewish leaders went to the place where he was staying. From morning until evening, he told them about the kingdom of God. He used the Law of Moses and the Prophets to try to convince them about Jesus.
I used to say insulting things about Jesus. I tried to hurt his followers, and I even used violence against them. But God had mercy on me because I did those things without knowing any better. I wasn’t a believer.
So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you’ll know that I am. You’ll also know that I don’t do anything on my own. I speak just what the Father has taught me.