The big picture
The Book of Acts opens by looking back at Jesus, the teacher who died and rose again. It addresses Theophilus, the recipient of an earlier account of Jesus' deeds and teaching. The risen Jesus has spent time with his chosen messengers, called apostles. Now his departure leaves them with a promise and a task. They are to wait for God's Spirit before carrying their witness outward. While they wait, they pray together and fill the place left by a betrayer.
In this chapter
- A Promise Before Departure Acts 1:1-5
Acts recalls the earlier account of what Jesus began to do and teach.
- A Task Wider Than Their Question Acts 1:6-11
The apostles ask whether Jesus will now restore the kingdom to Israel, their people.
- Prayer and the Betrayer’s Empty Place Acts 1:12-20
The followers return from Olivet, a nearby hill, to an upper room in Jerusalem.
- Matthias Joins the Eleven Acts 1:21-26
Peter states the needed qualification for the replacement.
Central truth
Jesus promises the Spirit for a worldwide witness, and his followers prepare through prayer and the choice of another apostle.
Scripture beside the summary
Acts · King James Version · 26Acts 1:1-5
A Promise Before Departure
Acts recalls the earlier account of what Jesus began to do and teach. Before being taken up, he gave instructions through the Holy Ghost, God's Spirit. He showed himself alive to the apostles over forty days, giving firm evidence and teaching about God's kingdom. He told them to remain in Jerusalem, the chief Jewish city. They must wait for the Father's promised gift. John, the earlier preacher who prepared people for Jesus, washed them in water. Soon the apostles will be immersed in the Holy Spirit's presence and power. Their next work begins with waiting for that gift.
In everyday life
A rescue instructor gathers a newly trained team beside their packed equipment. They know the route and have seen her demonstrate the work, but she tells them to wait for the radio crew. Setting out without that support would leave them unable to carry out the plan. The apostles await God's Spirit, not another unit of human workers.
Notice
Acts 1:3 Forty days of appearances stand between suffering and departure. The apostles' witness rests on repeated encounters with Jesus alive, not only on an empty grave.
Acts 1:1-5
King James Version1The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
2Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
3To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
4And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
5For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Acts 1:6-11
A Task Wider Than Their Question
The apostles ask whether Jesus will now restore the kingdom to Israel, their people. He leaves the timing under the Father's authority. Their task is to receive the Spirit's power and bear witness. The witness will spread from Jerusalem through Judæa and Samaria, nearby regions, and to the earth's farthest reaches. Jesus is then lifted from their sight into a cloud. Two men in white stand beside them and promise that he will return as they saw him go. The followers have a future hope, but no date that replaces their present work.
In everyday life
A restoration apprentice asks when the damaged town clock will ring again. Her supervisor gives no date but places the next repair task in her hands. The workshop needs her trained effort now, even while the final opening remains uncertain. She turns from the calendar to the mechanism. Jesus gives witnesses a worldwide mission powered by the Spirit.
Notice
Acts 1:8 The answer shifts from control of the timetable to the power needed for witness. The widening places describe the reach of the task they receive.
Acts 1:6-11
King James Version6When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
7And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
9And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
10And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
11Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Acts 1:12-20
Prayer and the Betrayer’s Empty Place
The followers return from Olivet, a nearby hill, to an upper room in Jerusalem. The eleven apostles join the women, Jesus' mother Mary, and his brothers in united prayer. Peter, one of the apostles, addresses about one hundred and twenty believers. He speaks of Judas, the former apostle who guided Jesus' arresters. Judas' betrayal money was tied to a field where his death became known. Acts describes his body bursting open and the place being called a field of blood. Peter applies words from David, an earlier king and Scripture writer, to the vacant office.
In everyday life
A charity secretary opens the minutes after a trustee's fraud and death leave an empty seat. The group mourns the damage without pretending the former member never belonged among them. They read the governing document before deciding how the work can continue. The record carries both loss and responsibility. Peter understands Judas' place through Scripture and Jesus' mission.
Notice
Acts 1:17 Peter acknowledges that Judas truly held a share in the work. The betrayal is treated as a loss within the chosen group, not an outsider's attack.
Acts 1:12-20
King James Version12Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey.
13And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
14These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
15And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)
16Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.
17For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
18Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
19And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.
20For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.
Acts 1:21-26
Matthias Joins the Eleven
Peter states the needed qualification for the replacement. The man must have accompanied them from John's washing ministry through Jesus' departure into heaven. He will join them as a witness to the resurrection, Jesus' rising from death. Two candidates are put forward: Joseph, also called Barsabas and Justus, and Matthias. The group prays to the Lord who knows every heart, asking him to show his choice. They cast lots, and Matthias is chosen. He is then counted with the eleven apostles. The choice fills a role defined by witness, not merely a vacant title.
In everyday life
A field expedition chooses a replacement recorder from two members who were present from the first survey. A later volunteer has skill but lacks that shared record of events. The team needs someone able to attest to the whole work already done. They appoint one of the two. The apostles seek the Lord's choice through prayer and lots.
Notice
Acts 1:22 The replacement must witness to the resurrection with the others. Long companionship matters because the office requires firsthand knowledge of Jesus' life and return.
Acts 1:21-26
King James Version21Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
22Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
23And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
24And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
25That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
26And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Acts 1:1 begins with “The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,”
Where the chapter turns
Acts 1:12 forms a natural hinge: “Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey.”
The final note
Acts 1:26 leaves the reader with “And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words Jerusalem, Jesus, Ghost, heaven, Holy, taken help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- passion
- The suffering of Jesus that ended in his death.
- bishoprick
- An office of oversight or leadership within a group.
- lots
- Objects used to make a choice by drawing or casting them.
Music and video connected to the passage
No exact media match is cataloged for this passage yet. New material can be connected when it becomes available.