Acts 1:1-2 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 1:1-5

In these verses, I. Theophilus is put in mind, and we in him, of St. Luke's gospel, which it will be of use for us to cast an eye upon before we enter upon the study of this book, that we may not only see how this begins where that breaks off, but that, as in water face answers to face, so do the acts of the apostles to the acts of their Master, the acts of his grace. 1. His patron, to whom he dedicates this book (I should rather say his pupil, for he designs, in dedicating it to him, to... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 1:1-5

1:1-5 My Dear Theophilus, I have already given you an account of all the things that Jesus began to do and to teach, right up to the day when he was taken up to heaven, after he had, through the Holy Spirit, given his instructions to the apostles whom he had chosen. In the days that followed his sufferings he also showed himself living to them by many proofs, for he was seen by them on various occasions throughout a period of forty days; and he spoke to them about the kingdom of God. While he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 1:1

The former treatise have I made ,.... Meaning the Gospel written by him the Evangelist Luke, for from that he makes a transition to this, beginning here where he there left off; namely, at the ascension of Christ; see Luke 24:51 . O Theophilus ; See Gill on Luke 1:3 . of all that Jesus began both to do and teach . This is a summary of his former treatise, his Gospel, which gave an account of what Christ began to do, and did; not of the common and private actions of his life; or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 1:2

Until the day in which he was taken up ,.... That is, into heaven. The historian suggests, that his former treatise took in the main and principal things Jesus did and taught, until such time that he ascended to heaven: after that he, through the Holy Ghost, had given commandments unto the apostles, whom he had chosen : our Lord having chosen twelve of his own free grace and goodness, and not according to their worth and merit, to be his apostles, a little before his ascension to heaven,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 1:1

The former treatise - The Gospel according to Luke, which is here most evidently intended. O Theophilus - See the note on Luke 1:3 . To do and teach - These two words comprise his miracles and sermons. This introduction seems to intimate that, as he had already in his Gospel given an account of the life and actions of our Lord, so in this second treatise he was about to give an account of the lives and acts of some of the chief apostles, such as Peter and Paul. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 1:2

After that he, through the Holy Ghost, etc. - This clause has been variously translated: the simple meaning seems to be this - that Christ communicated the Holy Spirit to his disciples, after his resurrection, as he had not done before. In Luke 24:45 , it is said that he opened their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures; and in John 20:22 , that he breathed on them, and said, receive ye the Holy Ghost. Previously to this, we may suppose that the disciples were only on... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 1:1

Verse 1 That he may pass over unto those things which followed the ascension of Christ, he briefly gathereth the sum of all those which before he had handled in the former book, that he may annex this thereunto. And he briefly setteth down this description of the history of the gospel, that it is a narration of those things which Christ did and said so long as he was conversant upon earth. Furthermore, whereas they interpret this commonly, that there was first in Christ purity of life, before... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 1:2

Verse 2 2Even until that day. Therefore, the ascension of Christ is the end of the history of the gospel. For he hath ascended, saith Paul, that he might fulfill all things, (Ephesians 4:10.) Our faith gathereth other fruit thereby; but it shall be sufficient to note in this place, that our redemption was fully complete and finished then when Christ did ascend unto his Father; and, therefore, that Luke did fully perform his duty in this narration, as touching the doctrine and works of Christ.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 1:1

I made for have I made, A.V.; concerning for of, A.V.; to teach for teach, A.V. The former treatise; literally, the first history, narrative, or discourse. The form of the Greek, τὸν μὲν τρῶτον , shows that the writer had in his mind at the time to contrast the second history , which he was just beginning, and that naturally τὸν δὲ δεύτερον or τοῦτον δὲ τὸν λόγον , ought both grammatically and logically, to have followed. But the mention of "the apostles... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 1:1

"Alpha and Omega." "Concerning all that Jesus began both to do and to teach." This opening sentence of the Acts, full of significance, as pointing at once to the past years of Christ's earthly ministry and to the future work of his people, in his Name and by his power, and connecting them together. He himself is the Alpha of the kingdom, and he is the Omega. His doing and his teaching really one; in matter and in manner, Divine; the standard for apostles and all others; the Acts... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 1:1-5

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 1:1-5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 1:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 1:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 1:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 1:2

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 1:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 1:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 1:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 1:1

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