Buried by His Enemies? Acts 13:28–31

Abstract

Paul’s address in Pisidian Antioch seems to differ from Luke 23:50–6 by attributing to those responsible for Jesus’ crucifixion his deposition from the cross and burial in a tomb (Acts 13:27–31). In his major commentary on Luke, François Bovon argued that ‘Jews hostile to Jesus and not a friendly Joseph of Arimathea buried the crucified one. The tradition [in Acts 13] must be older and historically more reliable than the data of the Gospels.’ Pace Bovon, this comment ignored the generic/generalizing usage of the plural. Concerned more with the actions than with the precise agents, Acts attributes to a vague ‘they’ not only Jesus’ condemnation and crucifixion but also his deposition from the cross and burial in a tomb. These four actions correspond exactly to what we read in Luke’s passion narrative. Furthermore, rather than recalling an older tradition, the verses in Acts are a Lukan summary, which contrasted the divine reversal of resurrection with the human sentence that brought Jesus to his death and burial.