Acts 1:24-25

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 1:15-26

The sin of Judas was not only his shame and ruin, but it made a vacancy in the college of the apostles. They were ordained twelve, with an eye to the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from the twelve patriarchs; they were the twelve stars that make up the church's crown (Rev. 12:1), and for them twelve thrones were designated, Matt. 19:28. Now being twelve when they were learners, if they were but eleven when they were to be teachers, it would occasion every one to enquire what had become of... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 1:21-26

1:21-26 "So then, of the men who were with us during all the time our Lord went in and out amongst us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day on which he was taken up from us--of these we must choose one to be a witness of the resurrection along with us." So they selected two, Joseph, who was called Barsabbas, whose surname was Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed and said, "O Lord. who knowest the hearts of all, do thou show us which of these two thou hast chosen to take his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 1:24

And they prayed and said ,.... Having proposed the above two persons, and not well knowing which to pitch upon, they being both very agreeable and fit for such service; they chose not to determine the affair without seeking to God for direction; a method to be taken in all cases, and especially in matters of importance: and the substance of their petition, though perhaps not in just the same words, was, thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men ; which is a character peculiar to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 1:25

That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship ,.... Of the ministry of the apostles, or of the apostolical ministration; which lay in preaching the Gospel, administering ordinances, planting churches, and working miracles; and which part, lot, or inheritance, Judas had; see Acts 1:17 . And from which Judas by transgression fell ; by betraying his Lord, whose apostle he was, he was turned out of his office, and had no longer part in the apostolical ministry: that he might go... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 1:24

Thou Lord, which knowest the hearts - Συ, κυριε, καρδιογνωστα . The word καρδιογνωστης , the searcher of hearts, seems to be used here as an attribute of God; he knows the hearts, the most secret purposes, intentions, and dispositions of all men; and because he is the knower of hearts, he knew which of these men he had qualified the best, by natural and gracious dispositions and powers, for the important work to which one of them was now to be appointed. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 1:25

That he may take part of this ministry, etc. - Instead of τον κληρον , the lot, which we translate part, τον τοπον , the place, is the reading of ABC*, Coptic, Vulgate, and the Itala in the Codex Bezae, and from them the verse may be read thus, That he may take the place of this ministry and apostleship, (from which Judas fell) and go to his own place; but instead of ιδιον , own, the Codex Alexandrinus, and one of Matthai's MSS., read δικαιον , just - that he might go to his just or... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 1:24

Verse 24 24.In praying, they said. Word for word it is, Having prayed, they said; but there is no obscurity in the sense, because his meaning was to speak as followeth, that they prayed; and yet he doth not reckon up all the words, being content briefly to show the sum. Therefore, although they were both of honest conversation, yea, although they did excel in holiness and other virtues, yet because the integrity of the heart, whereof God is the alone knower and judge, is the chief, the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 1:25

Verse 25 25.(75) Of the ministry and apostleship. Because the word ministry was base, he addeth apostleship, wherein there is greater dignity; although the sense shall be more plain if you expound it, “the ministry of the apostleship.” For the figure hypallage is common in the Scriptures. Assuredly Luke meant to join with the burden the excellency of the office, that it might have the greater reverence and authority; and yet this was his intent also, to declare that the apostles are called unto... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 1:12-26

The interval between the Ascension and Pentecost. I. THE SCENE IN THE UPPER ROOM . Obedient to the Lord's command, the disciples return to Jerusalem. A certain upper chamber, probably in a private dwelling, became the first Christian Church. Epiphanius says that when Hadrian came to Jerusalem, he found the temple desolate and but few houses standing. This "little church of God," however, remained; and Nicephorus says that the Empress Helena enclosed it in her larger church.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 1:15-26

The rewards of iniquity. The physical laws by which the material world is governed are not more fixed and certain than the moral laws which secure to iniquity its just reward. Nor has the patient and honest inquirer more difficulty in ascertaining those laws than the physicist has in ascertaining the laws of nature by observation and experiment. Neither is it peculiar to Holy Scripture to set forth the sequences of cause and effect which occur under those moral laws; the history of the... read more

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