Acts chapter 13

vs 21

And if that's all you say about him, then you're being nice really.

vs 22

And although that isn't exactly true, it is again quite charitable. It's not a quote, by the way - the Bible doesn't have God saying that anywhere. Except here. So Paul in his speech is really speaking on God's behalf, putting words in God's mouth. Now, he's not putting any words God didn't say in his mouth, except perhaps "He will do everything I want him to do".

vs 23

There's a convenient jump which dodges a thousand years of history. So Paul is drawing a line to God's promises to David primarily. Worth remembering.

vs 24

John the Baptist again! This guy was a star! Paul is talking about him to people in Pisidian Antioch for crying out loud!

vs 25

John TB is the first person in this story to get a speaking role. So while the ancient history is there, the modern history is focused on more. John's words here are critical in showing that he wasn't the messiah.

vs 26

It is Paul's firm belief that the message of salvation from God comes to God's people primarily. And so hence when he gets to Pisidian Antioch, that's who the message is for.

vs 27

So Paul is saying it was inevitable that this tragedy was going to befall Israel (that she didn't recognise her saviour). It's a good thing to say - it's like saying "This had to happen, but now that it has happened, there's no reason you can't accept him now".

vs 28

That's pretty regrettable. Paul is obviously following in the line of Peter's preaching here, making sure people understand that they had a communal hand in Jesus' death.

vs 29

It's almost as if the OT was a handbook for preparing the suffering of the messiah. But in that Paul is also showing that Jesus did meet all the prophetic messages about the messiah.

vs 30

Pretty matter of fact statement there. You can't bury what God won't keep dead. Well, you can, but it's not worth the trouble.