King James Version
Acts 1
26 verses with commentary
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
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KJV Study Commentary
Luke addresses Theophilus (Greek 'lover of God'), connecting Acts to his Gospel as a unified two-volume work. The phrase 'all that Jesus began both to do and teach' implies that Acts continues what Christ started - He now works through His Spirit-empowered church. The word 'began' (Greek <em>erxato</em>) suggests incompleteness; Jesus' earthly ministry was only the beginning, now continued through...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
**The Acts of the Apostles.**—See *Introduction* as to the title thus given to the Book.
(1) **The former treatise.**—Literally, *word, *or *discourse;* but the English of the text is, perhaps, a happier equivalent than either. The Greek term had been used by Xenophon (*Anab.* ii. 1; *Cyrop.* viii. 1, 2) as St. Luke uses it, of what we should call the several “Books” or portions of his Histories. ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**6-7. When the chief priests ... saw him, they cried out--**their fiendish rage kindling afresh at the sight of Him.
**Crucify him, crucify him--**(See Mr 15:14).
**Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him; for I find no fault in him--**as if this would relieve him of the responsibility of the deed, who, by surrendering Him, incurred it all!
Until 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:
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KJV Study Commentary
The 'commandments unto the apostles' included the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) and instructions about the Spirit's coming. The phrase 'through the Holy Ghost' emphasizes that all apostolic authority derived from Spirit-empowerment, not human credential. Jesus' post-resurrection ministry spanning 'forty days' (v. 3) provided crucial preparation for their worldwide mission.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **Until the day in which he was taken up.**—We notice, as a matter of style, the same periodic structure that we found in the opening of the Gospel, made more conspicuous in the Greek by an arrangement of the words which places “he was taken up” at the close of the sentence. On the word “taken up,” see Note on Luke 9:51.
**That he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments.**—The words admi...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**6-7. When the chief priests ... saw him, they cried out--**their fiendish rage kindling afresh at the sight of Him.
**Crucify him, crucify him--**(See Mr 15:14).
**Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him; for I find no fault in him--**as if this would relieve him of the responsibility of the deed, who, by surrendering Him, incurred it all!
To 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:
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KJV Study Commentary
Jesus 'shewed himself alive' through 'many infallible proofs' (<em>tekmeria</em>, the strongest Greek word for evidence). The forty-day period of resurrection appearances established unshakeable apostolic testimony. Speaking of 'the kingdom of God' connected Jesus' teaching to Old Testament promises now fulfilled in His risen presence and coming reign.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **After his** **passion.**—Literally, *after He had suffered.* The English somewhat anticipates the later special sense of “passion.”
**By many infallible proofs.**—There is no adjective in the Greek answering to “infallible,” but the noun is one which was used by writers on rhetoric (*e.g., *Aristotle, *Rhet.* i. 2) for proofs that carried certainty of conviction with them, as contrasted with...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8-11. When Pilate ... heard this saying, he was the more afraid--**the name "Son of God," the lofty sense evidently attached to it by His Jewish accusers, the dialogue he had already held with Him, and the dream of his wife (Mt 27:19), all working together in the breast of the wretched man.
And, 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. being: or, eating together
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KJV Study Commentary
Jesus' command to wait for the Spirit reveals the essential relationship between promise and power in Christian ministry. The Greek 'perimenein' (wait for) suggests active expectation rather than passive delay. This establishes that effective witness requires divine empowerment beyond human ability, a theme central to Acts' narrative of Spirit-empowered mission.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **And, being assembled together with them.**—The MSS. present two forms of the participle: one with the meaning given in the English version, the other, but inferior reading, with the sense of “dwelling together with” the disciples. The Vulgate, *convescens, *“eating with,” probably rests on a mistaken etymology of the Greek term. The whole verse is in substance a repetition of Luke 24:49, whe...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8-11. When Pilate ... heard this saying, he was the more afraid--**the name "Son of God," the lofty sense evidently attached to it by His Jewish accusers, the dialogue he had already held with Him, and the dream of his wife (Mt 27:19), all working together in the breast of the wretched man.
For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
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KJV Study Commentary
The contrast between John's water baptism and Spirit baptism marks the transition from preparatory ministry to new covenant reality. The Greek 'baptizo' (immerse) emphasizes total envelopment by the Spirit, not mere external ritual. This promise fulfilled at Pentecost demonstrates God's faithfulness and inaugurates the age of the Spirit.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **John truly baptized with water.**—See Note on Matthew 3:11. The words threw the disciples back upon their recollection of their first admission to the Kingdom. Some of them, at least, must have remembered also the teaching which had told them of the new birth of water and of the Spirit (John 3:3-5). Now they were told that their spirits were to be as fully baptised, *i.e., *plunged, into the...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8-11. When Pilate ... heard this saying, he was the more afraid--**the name "Son of God," the lofty sense evidently attached to it by His Jewish accusers, the dialogue he had already held with Him, and the dream of his wife (Mt 27:19), all working together in the breast of the wretched man.
The Ascension
When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
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KJV Study Commentary
The disciples' question - 'wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?' - revealed lingering expectations of political restoration. Jesus redirected their focus from timing ('times or seasons') to mission ('ye shall be witnesses'). The Greek <em>apokathistaneis</em> (restore) echoed prophetic promises, showing the disciples still anticipated national restoration.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom?**—More literally, *art Thou restoring* . . . Before the Passion the disciples had thought that “the kingdom of God should immediately appear” (Luke 19:11). Then had come the seeming failure of those hopes (Luke 24:21). Now they were revived by the Resurrection, but were still predominantly national. Even the Twelve were thinking, not of...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8-11. When Pilate ... heard this saying, he was the more afraid--**the name "Son of God," the lofty sense evidently attached to it by His Jewish accusers, the dialogue he had already held with Him, and the dream of his wife (Mt 27:19), all working together in the breast of the wretched man.
And 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.
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KJV Study Commentary
Jesus' statement that 'times or seasons' remain in the Father's authority addresses eschatological curiosity while redirecting toward mission. The Greek <em>chronous e kairous</em> distinguishes between measured time (chronos) and opportune moments (kairos). This verse establishes that prophecy's fulfillment remains God's prerogative, not subject to human calculation.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **It is not for you to know the times or the seasons.**—The combination of the two words is characteristic of St. Luke and St. Paul (1Thessalonians 5:1). The answer to the eager question touches the season rather than the nature of the fulfilment of their hopes. They are left to the teaching of the Spirit and of Time to remould and purify their expectations of the restoration of Israel. What w...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12-16. And from thenceforth--**particularly this speech, which seems to have filled him with awe, and redoubled his anxiety.
**Pilate sought to release him--**that is, to gain their consent to it, for he could have done it at once on his authority.
**but the Jews cried--**seeing their advantage, and not slow to profit by it. If thou let this man go, thou art not Cæsar's friend, &c.--"Thi...
Read full commentary →But 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 Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. power: or, the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Ye shall receive power</strong> (δύναμιν λήμψεσθε)—The promise of divine enablement through the Holy Spirit, not human ability. The Greek 'dunamis' (power) appears throughout Acts as the source of apostolic boldness and miraculous signs. <strong>Witnesses unto me</strong> defines Christian identity as testifiers to Christ's resurrection. The geographic progression—Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **But ye shall receive power.**—The use of the same English noun for two different Greek words is misleading, but if “authority” be used in Acts 1:7 then “power” is an adequate rendering here. The consciousness of a new faculty of thought and speech would be to them a proof that the promise of the Kingdom had not failed.
**Ye shall be witnesses unto me.**—The words, which are apparently identi...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12-16. And from thenceforth--**particularly this speech, which seems to have filled him with awe, and redoubled his anxiety.
**Pilate sought to release him--**that is, to gain their consent to it, for he could have done it at once on his authority.
**but the Jews cried--**seeing their advantage, and not slow to profit by it. If thou let this man go, thou art not Cæsar's friend, &c.--"Thi...
Read full commentary →And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>A cloud received him out of their sight</strong>—The visible, bodily ascension confirmed Jesus' return to heavenly glory, echoing the cloud of God's presence (Shekinah) in Israel's wilderness wandering and Ezekiel's visions. Luke emphasizes the physical reality: disciples watched until Jesus disappeared, precluding allegorical interpretations. The ascension validates Christ's completed wor...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **He was taken up; and a cloud received him . . .**—It is remarkable how little stress is laid in the Gospels on the fact which has always been so prominent in the creeds of Christendom. Neither St. John nor St. Matthew record it. It is barely mentioned with utmost brevity in the verses which close the Gospel of St. Mark, and in which many critics see, indeed, a fragment of apostolic teaching,...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12-16. And from thenceforth--**particularly this speech, which seems to have filled him with awe, and redoubled his anxiety.
**Pilate sought to release him--**that is, to gain their consent to it, for he could have done it at once on his authority.
**but the Jews cried--**seeing their advantage, and not slow to profit by it. If thou let this man go, thou art not Cæsar's friend, &c.--"Thi...
Read full commentary →And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
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KJV Study Commentary
The 'two men in white apparel' were angels serving as divine messengers. Their question gently rebuked prolonged gazing at heaven when mission awaited on earth. The angelic message reinforced Christ's visible, bodily return 'in like manner' - the same Jesus who ascended will return personally and physically.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **Two men stood by them in white apparel.**—Better, *were standing, *the appearance being sudden, and their approach unnoticed. The forms were such as those as had been seen at the portals of the empty sepulchre, bright and fair to look upon, and clad in white garments, like the young priests in the Temple. (See Note on Luke 1:12.)
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12-16. And from thenceforth--**particularly this speech, which seems to have filled him with awe, and redoubled his anxiety.
**Pilate sought to release him--**that is, to gain their consent to it, for he could have done it at once on his authority.
**but the Jews cried--**seeing their advantage, and not slow to profit by it. If thou let this man go, thou art not Cæsar's friend, &c.--"Thi...
Read full commentary →Which 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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>This same Jesus... shall so come in like manner</strong>—The angelic announcement emphasizes the personal, visible, bodily return of Christ. The Greek 'houtos' (this same) stresses identity—the risen Jesus who ascended will return unchanged. <strong>In like manner</strong> (ὃν τρόπον) means his return will mirror the ascension: visible, bodily, to the Mount of Olives. This combats both rea...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **Shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.**—So our Lord, following the great prophecy of Daniel 7:13, had spoken of Himself as “coming in the clouds of heaven” (see Note on Matthew 26:64), in visible ‘majesty and glory. Here, again, men have asked questions which they cannot answer; not only, when shall the end be, but where shall the Judge thus appear? what place sha...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12-16. And from thenceforth--**particularly this speech, which seems to have filled him with awe, and redoubled his anxiety.
**Pilate sought to release him--**that is, to gain their consent to it, for he could have done it at once on his authority.
**but the Jews cried--**seeing their advantage, and not slow to profit by it. If thou let this man go, thou art not Cæsar's friend, &c.--"Thi...
Read full commentary →Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas
Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey .
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KJV Study Commentary
The 'sabbath day's journey' (about 2,000 cubits or half a mile) indicates the disciples remained observant Jews. Their return to the 'upper room' established a place of prayer and community. Luke's list of the eleven apostles (minus Judas) emphasizes the witnesses who would carry Christ's testimony to the world.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **From the mount called Olivet.**—As to the name, see Note on Luke 19:29. The mention of the distance, and the measure of distance employed are, both of them, remarkable, and suggest the thought that St. Luke’s reckoning was a different one from that which Christendom has commonly received, and that the “forty days” expired before the last renewal of our Lord’s intercourse with His disciples,...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Joh 19:17-30. Crucifixion and Death of the Lord Jesus.
**17. And he bearing his cross--**(See on Lu 23:26).
**went forth--**Compare He 13:11-13, "without the camp"; "without the gate." On arriving at the place, "they gave Him vinegar to drink mingled with gall [wine mingled with myrrh, Mr 15:23], and when He had tasted thereof, He would not drink" (Mt 27:34). This potion was stupefying, and giv...
Read full commentary →And 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.
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KJV Study Commentary
The comprehensive list of apostles emphasizes the foundation of apostolic witness. Luke includes 'Mary the mother of Jesus' and Jesus' brothers who had previously disbelieved (John 7:5). Their presence indicates resurrection faith had transformed family skepticism into devoted discipleship.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13) **They went up into an upper room, where abode . . .**—Better, *into the upper room, where they* *were abiding.* The Greek noun has the article. The room may have been the same as that in which the Paschal Supper had been eaten (Mark 14:15). On the other hand, that room seems to have been different from that in which the disciples had lodged during the Paschal week, and to have been chosen sp...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**18. they crucified him, and two others with him--**"malefactors" (Lu 23:33), "thieves" (rather "robbers," Mt 27:38; Mr 15:27).
**on either side one and Jesus in the midst--**a hellish expedient, to hold Him up as the worst of the three. But in this, as in many other of their doings, "the scripture was fulfilled, which saith (Is 53:12), And he was numbered with the transgressors"--(Mr 15:28)--t...
Read full commentary →These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
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KJV Study Commentary
United, continual prayer characterizes the pre-Pentecost community, establishing a pattern for church life. The inclusion of women and Jesus' family shows the Spirit creates a new community transcending social and familial boundaries. The Greek 'proskartereo' (devoted themselves) implies persistent, patient waiting in prayer.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(14) **With the women.**—Looking to what we have seen in the Gospels, it is a natural inference that here, too, the “devout women” of Luke 8:2-3, were among St. Luke’s chief informants. This may, perhaps, account for the variations in the list just noticed. The women were less likely than the disciples to lay stress on what we may call the accurate coupling of the Twelve. The mention of “the women...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**19-22. Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross ... Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews ... and it was written in Hebrew--**or Syro-Chaldaic, the language of the country.
**and Greek--**the current language.
**and Latin--**the official language. These were the chief languages of the earth, and this secured that all spectators should be able to read it. Stung by this, the Jewish eccl...
Read full commentary →And 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,)
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KJV Study Commentary
Peter's leadership in addressing the 'hundred and twenty' shows his restoration after denial. The phrase 'in those days' indicates the ten-day period between Ascension and Pentecost. Peter's interpretation of Judas' betrayal as Scripture fulfillment (Psalm 69:25, 109:8) demonstrates early christological hermeneutics.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(15) **The number of names together were about an hundred and twenty.**—The number probably included the Seventy of Luke 10:1, perhaps also Joseph of Arimathæa and Nicodemus, and some of the “five hundred” who had seen their risen Lord in Galilee or elsewhere (1Corinthians 15:6). The use of “names” may be merely as a synonym for “persons,” but It suggests the idea of there having been a list from ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**19-22. Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross ... Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews ... and it was written in Hebrew--**or Syro-Chaldaic, the language of the country.
**and Greek--**the current language.
**and Latin--**the official language. These were the chief languages of the earth, and this secured that all spectators should be able to read it. Stung by this, the Jewish eccl...
Read full commentary →Men 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.
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KJV Study Commentary
Peter attributes Judas' betrayal to Scripture's necessity - 'this scripture must needs have been fulfilled.' The phrase 'the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David' affirms the Spirit's authorship of Scripture through human writers. Divine sovereignty over even betrayal demonstrates that God's purposes cannot be thwarted.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(16) **Men and brethren.**—Better, *brethren* only, the word being used as in the LXX. of Genesis 13:8. The tone of St. Peter’s speech is that of one who felt that his offence had been fully forgiven, and that he was now restored by the charge given him, as in John 21:15-17, to his former position as guide and leader of the other disciples. To do that work faithfully was a worthier fruit of repent...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**19-22. Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross ... Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews ... and it was written in Hebrew--**or Syro-Chaldaic, the language of the country.
**and Greek--**the current language.
**and Latin--**the official language. These were the chief languages of the earth, and this secured that all spectators should be able to read it. Stung by this, the Jewish eccl...
Read full commentary →For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
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KJV Study Commentary
Judas 'was numbered with us' emphasizes the tragedy of his apostasy - he had genuine apostolic calling yet chose destruction. The phrase 'obtained part of this ministry' uses lot-casting language (<em>kleros</em>), suggesting divine appointment he later forfeited. This serves as warning against presuming upon spiritual privilege.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(17) **For he was numbered with us.**—Literally, *he had been numbered.*
**Had obtained part of this ministry.**—Better, *the portion, *or *inheritance.* The Greek has the article, and the noun (*cleros*) is one which afterwards acquired a special half-technical sense in the words, *clerus, clericus, “*clerk,” “clergy.” In 1Peter 5:3, as being “lords over the heritage,” we find it in a transition ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**19-22. Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross ... Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews ... and it was written in Hebrew--**or Syro-Chaldaic, the language of the country.
**and Greek--**the current language.
**and Latin--**the official language. These were the chief languages of the earth, and this secured that all spectators should be able to read it. Stung by this, the Jewish eccl...
Read full commentary →Now 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.
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KJV Study Commentary
The gruesome details of Judas' death - 'falling headlong, he burst asunder' - demonstrate the wages of sin. The 'field of blood' became a memorial to treachery. Luke provides different details than Matthew 27:5 (hanging), likely describing what happened to the body afterward.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(18, 19) **Now this man purchased a field.**—Better, *acquired, got possession of, a field, *the Greek not necessarily including the idea of buying. On the difficulties presented by a comparison of this account with that in Matthew 27:5-8, see Note on that passage. Here the field bought with Judas’s money is spoken of as that which he gained as the reward of his treachery. The details that follow ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**23-24. Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts; to every soldier--**the four who nailed Him to the cross, and whose perquisite they were.
**a part, and also his coat--**the Roman tunic, or close-fitting vest.
**without seam, woven from the top throughout--**"perhaps denoting considerable skill and labor as necessary to produce such a garment, ...
Read full commentary →And 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.
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KJV Study Commentary
The public knowledge of Judas' fate - 'known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem' - served as divine judgment displayed openly. The Aramaic 'Aceldama' (field of blood) memorialized both the blood money and the bloody death, testifying to God's justice.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(19) **In their proper tongue.**—Literally, *in their own dialect.* The word is used frequently in the Acts (Acts 2:6; Acts 2:8; Acts 21:40), but not elsewhere in the New Testament.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**23-24. Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts; to every soldier--**the four who nailed Him to the cross, and whose perquisite they were.
**a part, and also his coat--**the Roman tunic, or close-fitting vest.
**without seam, woven from the top throughout--**"perhaps denoting considerable skill and labor as necessary to produce such a garment, ...
Read full commentary →For 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. bishoprick: or, office, or, charge
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KJV Study Commentary
Peter quotes Psalm 69:25 and 109:8, applying David's words about personal enemies to Judas. The phrase 'let his habitation be desolate' connected to the abandoned field. The directive 'his bishoprick let another take' justified replacing Judas to restore the twelve.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(20) **For it is written in the book of Psalms**—St. Peter’s speech is continued after the parenthetical note. His purpose in making the quotation is to show that the disciples should not be staggered by the treachery of Judas, and the seeming failure of their hopes. The Psalms had represented the righteous sufferer as the victim of treachery. They had also spoken of the traitor as receiving a rig...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**25-27. Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary, wife of Cleophas--**This should be read, as in the Margin, "Clopas," the same as "Alpheus" (Mt 10:3). The "Cleopas" of Lu 24:18 was a different person.
Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
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KJV Study Commentary
The qualifications for apostolic replacement - 'companied with us all the time' - emphasized eyewitness testimony. The phrase 'beginning from the baptism of John' indicates the full scope of Jesus' public ministry. Apostolic authority required personal experience with the incarnate Christ.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(21) **Wherefore of these men which have companied with us.**—From the retrospective glance at the guilt and punishment of the traitor, Peter passes, as with a practical sagacity, to the one thing that was now needful for the work of the infant Church. They, the Apostles, must present themselves to the people in their symbolic completeness, as sent to the twelve tribes of Israel, and the gap left ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**25-27. Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary, wife of Cleophas--**This should be read, as in the Margin, "Clopas," the same as "Alpheus" (Mt 10:3). The "Cleopas" of Lu 24:18 was a different person.
Beginning 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.
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KJV Study Commentary
The replacement must witness 'his resurrection' - the central apostolic testimony. The phrase 'be ordained to be a witness' (<em>martyra</em>) emphasizes the witnessing role. Apostleship was fundamentally about testifying to the risen Christ based on personal encounter.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**25-27. Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary, wife of Cleophas--**This should be read, as in the Margin, "Clopas," the same as "Alpheus" (Mt 10:3). The "Cleopas" of Lu 24:18 was a different person.
And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
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KJV Study Commentary
The two candidates - Joseph Barsabas (called Justus) and Matthias - both met the qualifications. The choice between equally qualified candidates was submitted to divine determination through prayer and lot-casting. This demonstrates dependence on God's wisdom beyond human assessment.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(23) **They appointed.**—It is uncertain whether this was the act of the Apostles, presenting the two men to the choice of the whole body of disciples, or of the community choosing them for ultimate decision by lot.
**Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus.**—Some MSS. give the various-reading of “Joses,” which was, perhaps, only another form of the same name. Nothing further is known of ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**28-30. After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished--**that is, the moment for the fulfilment of the last of them; for there was one other small particular, and the time was come for that too, in consequence of the burning thirst which the fevered state of His frame occasioned (Psa 22:15).
**that the scripture--**(Psa 69:21).
**might be fulfilled saith, I thirst. Now there...
Read full commentary →And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
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KJV Study Commentary
The appeal to God as 'heart-knower' (Greek 'kardiognostes') acknowledges that leadership selection requires divine insight beyond human perception. This prayer demonstrates the early church's submission to God's sovereignty in decision-making, refusing to trust human wisdom alone for apostolic appointment.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(24) **Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of** **all men.**—Literally, *heart-knower of all men.* The compound word is not found in any Greek version of the Old Testament, but meets us again in Acts 15:8. The question meets us whether the prayer is addressed to the Lord Jesus, as with a recollection of His insight into the hearts of men (John 2:24; John 6:64), or to the Father. The prayer of Ste...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**28-30. After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished--**that is, the moment for the fulfilment of the last of them; for there was one other small particular, and the time was come for that too, in consequence of the burning thirst which the fevered state of His frame occasioned (Psa 22:15).
**that the scripture--**(Psa 69:21).
**might be fulfilled saith, I thirst. Now there...
Read full commentary →That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
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KJV Study Commentary
The apostolic office's purpose - 'this ministry and apostleship' - was service, not privilege. Judas fell 'by transgression' to go 'to his own place' - a solemn euphemism for perdition. His departure created vacancy requiring divine filling.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(25) **That he may take part of this ministry.**—Better, *the portion, *or *the lot, *so as to give the word (*cleros, *as in Acts 1:17) the same prominence in English as it has in the Greek.
**From which Judas by transgression fell.**—The last three words are as a paraphrase of the one Greek verb. Better, *fell away.*
**That he might go to his own place.**—Literally, as the verb is in the infinit...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**28-30. After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished--**that is, the moment for the fulfilment of the last of them; for there was one other small particular, and the time was come for that too, in consequence of the burning thirst which the fevered state of His frame occasioned (Psa 22:15).
**that the scripture--**(Psa 69:21).
**might be fulfilled saith, I thirst. Now there...
Read full commentary →And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
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KJV Study Commentary
Lot-casting, common in Old Testament practice (Proverbs 16:33), determined Matthias' selection. This was the last recorded biblical use of lots - afterward, the Spirit's direct guidance replaced mechanical methods. Matthias was 'numbered with the eleven,' restoring apostolic completeness.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(26) **And they gave forth their lots.**—As interpreted by the prayer of Acts 1:24, and by the word “fell” here, there can be no doubt that the passage speaks of “lots” and not “votes.” The two men were chosen by the disciples as standing, as far as they could see, on the same level. It was left for the Searcher of hearts to show, by the exclusion of human will, which of the two He had chosen. The...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Joh 19:31-42. Burial of Christ.
**31-37. the preparation--**sabbath eve.
**that the bodies should not remain--**over night, against the Mosaic law (De 21:22, 23).
**on the sabbath day, for that sabbath day was an high day--**or "great" day--the first day of unleavened bread, and, as concurring with an ordinary sabbath, the most solemn season of the ecclesiastical year. Hence their peculiar je...
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