Acts1
New Living Translation
1In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach
2until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit.
3During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.
4Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before.
5John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
6So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”
7He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know.
8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him.
10As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them.
11“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”
12Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile.
13When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying. Here are the names of those who were present: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the zealot), and Judas (son of James).
14They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.
15During this time, when about 120 believers were together in one place, Peter stood up and addressed them.
16“Brothers,” he said, “the Scriptures had to be fulfilled concerning Judas, who guided those who arrested Jesus. This was predicted long ago by the Holy Spirit, speaking through King David.
17Judas was one of us and shared in the ministry with us.”
18(Judas had bought a field with the money he received for his treachery. Falling headfirst there, his body split open, spilling out all his intestines.
19The news of his death spread to all the people of Jerusalem, and they gave the place the Aramaic name Akeldama, which means “Field of Blood.”)
20Peter continued, “This was written in the book of Psalms, where it says, ‘Let his home become desolate, with no one living in it.’ It also says, ‘Let someone else take his position.’
21“So now we must choose a replacement for Judas from among the men who were with us the entire time we were traveling with the Lord Jesus—
22from the time he was baptized by John until the day he was taken from us. Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus’ resurrection.”
23So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.
24Then they all prayed, “O Lord, you know every heart. Show us which of these men you have chosen
25as an apostle to replace Judas in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs.”
26Then they cast lots, and Matthias was selected to become an apostle with the other eleven.
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