Was there ever a prophet your people didn’t attack? They even killed those who told about the coming of the Blameless One. And now you’ve handed him over to his enemies and murdered him.
Christ also suffered once for sins. Someone who did right suffered for those who did wrong, in order to bring you to God. Jesus was put to death in the body, but he was made alive in the Spirit.
In fact, Herod and Pontius Pilate met with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city. Together they conspired against your holy servant Jesus, your chosen one.
“Then he said, ‘The God of our people has chosen you, and he wants you to know the plans he has for you, to see the Blameless One, and to hear his voice.
“Write this to the angel of the church in Philadelphia: These are the words of the one who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. No one can shut what he opens, and no one can open what he shuts.
My dear children, I’m writing this to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, then we have a friend who speaks to the Father for us. He’s Jesus Christ, the Blameless One
He released the man they asked for, the one who had been thrown in prison for murder and for leading a revolt against the authorities. But he handed Jesus over to them so they could do what they wanted with him.
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High God will overshadow you, so that the holy one who is born will be called the Son of God.
“We gave you clear orders not to teach in Jesus’ name,” he said. “But you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching. You want to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”