Acts1
English Standard Version
1In the , , I have to ,
2 the he was , after he had the to the he had .
3He to , to the of .
4 while with them he to , to for the of the , , he said, you from ;
5 with , will be the .
6 when they had , they , , will the to ?
7He , It for to the has his .
8 you will when the has , you will , the of the .
9 when he had these , as were , he was , a out .
10 they as , , by ,
11 , of , do you ? , was , will in the you .
12 they the , , a day’s .
13 they had , they the , they , , , , the son of the the son of .
14 with themselves to , together the the of , .
15 the (the of in ) and ,
16 , the had to , the the of , a to those who .
17 he was his in .
18( a the of his , he in the .
19 it to the of , so was in , , of .)
20 it is the of , , let there no to ; .
21 one of who have the the ,
22 the of the he was — of these men a to .
23 they , , was also , .
24 they and , , , who know the of , you have
25to the in to his .
26 they for , the , he was the .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Acts 1.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Proofs of Christ's resurrection. (1–5). Christ's ascension. (6–11). The apostles unite in prayer. (12–14). Matthias chosen in the place of Judas. (15–26).
vv1-5
Our Lord told the disciples the work they were to do. The apostles met together at Jerusalem; Christ having ordered them not to depart thence, but to wait for the pouring out of the Holy Spirit. This would be a baptism by the Holy Ghost, giving them power to work miracles, and enlightening and sanctifying their souls. This confirms the Divine promise, and encourages us to depend upon it, that we have heard it from Christ; for in Him all the promises of God are yea and amen.
vv6-11
They were earnest in asking about that which their Master never had directed or encouraged them to seek. Our Lord knew that his ascension and the teaching of the Holy Spirit would soon end these expectations, and therefore only gave them a rebuke; but it is a caution to his church in all ages, to take heed of a desire of forbidden knowledge. He had given his disciples instructions for the discharge of their duty, both before his death and since his resurrection, and this knowledge is enough for a Christian. It is enough that He has engaged to give believers strength equal to their trials and services; that under the influence of the Holy Spirit they may, in one way or other, be witnesses for Christ on earth, while in heaven he manages their concerns with perfect wisdom, truth, and love. When we stand gazing and trifling, the thoughts of our Master's second coming should quicken and awaken us: when we stand gazing and trembling, they should comfort and encourage us. May our expectation of it be stedfast and joyful, giving diligence to be found of him blameless.
vv12-14
God can find hiding-places for his people. They made supplication. All God's people are praying people. It was now a time of trouble and danger with the disciples of Christ; but if any is afflicted, let him pray; that will silence cares and fears. They had now a great work to do, and before they entered upon it, they were earnest in prayer to God for his presence. They were waiting for the descent of the Spirit, and abounded in prayer. Those are in the best frame to receive spiritual blessings, who are in a praying frame. Christ had promised shortly to send the Holy Ghost; that promise was not to do away prayer, but to quicken and encourage it. A little company united in love, exemplary in their conduct, fervent in prayer, and wisely zealous to promote the cause of Christ, are likely to increase rapidly.
Key Words
πρῶτος (prōtos): foremost (in time, place, order or importance)
λόγος (lógos): something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ)
ὦ (ō): as a sign of the vocative case, O; as a note of exclamation, oh
Θεόφιλος (Theóphilos): friend of God; Theophilus, a Christian
ποιέω (poiéō): to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
περί (perí): properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive case denoting the subject or occasion or superlative point; with the accusative case the locality, circuit, matter, circumstance or general period)
πᾶς (pâs): all, any, every, the whole
ὅς (hós): the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs): Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites
ἄρχομαι (árchomai): to commence (in order of time)
Cross References
Acts 1Luke's Gospel is the 'former treatise' addressed to the same recipient, Theophilus.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Jesus commands the disciples to tarry in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Explicitly quoted by Peter to justify replacing Judas's office ('bishoprick').
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Direct contrast between John's water baptism and the promised Holy Ghost baptism.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel account of the tragic death of Judas and the field of blood.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Defines the apostolic mandate: witnessing of Christ from the beginning of His ministry.
Supported by JFB
Prophetic background of the Son of man ascending with the clouds of heaven.
Supported by JFB
Associates the Mount of Olives with eschatological prophecy and Christ's ascension/return.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Moses prays to the Lord, 'the God of the spirits of all flesh,' to set a leader.
Supported by Matthew Poole