Jesus shifts from his typical role as authoritative judge to promise-giver and witness-enabler, appearing with "kingdom-of-God" and "witness" themes in only 3 of his 98 biblical appearances.
Acts 1
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
1The first book I wrote, Theophilus, concerned all that Jesus began both to do and to teach,
2until the day in which he was received up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.
3To these he also showed himself alive after he suffered, by many proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about God’s Kingdom.
4Being assembled together with them, he commanded them, “Don’t depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me.
5For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
6Therefore, when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?”
7He said to them, “It isn’t for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within his own authority.
8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”
9When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight.
10While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing,
11who also said, “You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky, will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky.”
Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas
12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away.
13When they had come in, they went up into the upper room where they were staying, that is Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.
14All these with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer and supplication, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
15In these days, Peter stood up in the middle of the disciples (and the number of names was about one hundred twenty), and said,
16“Brothers, it was necessary that this Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to those who took Jesus.
17For he was counted with us, and received his portion in this ministry.
18Now this man obtained a field with the reward for his wickedness; and falling headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines gushed out.
19It became known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem that in their language that field was called ‘Akeldama,’ that is, ‘The field of blood.’
20For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his habitation be made desolate. Let no one dwell in it;’ and, ‘Let another take his office.’
21“Of the men therefore who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
22beginning from the baptism of John to the day that he was received up from us, of these one must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”
23They put forward two: Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias.
24They prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two you have chosen
25to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place.”
26They drew lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was counted with the eleven apostles.
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Theme
Acts 1 serves as a bridge between Jesus' earthly ministry and the birth of the church, beginning with Jesus' final instructions to his apostles before his ascension. After promising the coming Holy Spirit and commissioning the disciples as witnesses to all nations, Jesus ascends to heaven, leaving the apostles to wait and pray in Jerusalem. The chapter concludes with the apostles selecting Matthias to replace Judas Iscariot, restoring the twelve and preparing for the momentous events of Pentecost.
Context
This opening chapter transitions from Luke's Gospel account to the establishment of the early church, setting the stage for the Holy Spirit's arrival at Pentecost in chapter 2.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-3 Introduction and Jesus' Post-Resurrection Ministry Luke addresses Theophilus and summarizes Jesus' forty-day ministry after his resurrection.
- 4-8 The Promise of the Holy Spirit and Great Commission Jesus commands the apostles to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit and outlines their global mission.
- 9-11 The Ascension of Jesus Jesus ascends to heaven as the disciples watch, with angels promising his return.
- 12-14 Return to Jerusalem and United Prayer The apostles return to the upper room and devote themselves to prayer with other believers.
- 15-26 Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas Peter addresses the need to replace Judas, and Matthias is selected by lot to complete the twelve apostles.
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
1:1–1:11 narrative instruction hopeful
Jesus promises the Holy Spirit's power to his apostles for worldwide witness and ascends to heaven with the promise of his return.
person_contrast
Jesus shifts from his typical role as authoritative judge to promise-giver and witness-enabler, appearing with "kingdom-of-God" and "witness" themes in only 3 of his 98 biblical appearances.
Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas
1:12–1:26 narrative narration solemn
The apostles gather in prayer and select Matthias by lot to replace Judas Iscariot, fulfilling Scripture and restoring the twelve.
quotation_chain
Peter's dual quotation from Psalms 69:25 and 109:8 transforms individual lament psalms into corporate apostolic theology, creating the New Testament's first hermeneutical precedent for reading Hebrew Scripture christologically.
Insights
Peter's dual quotation from Psalms 69:25 and 109:8 transforms individual lament psalms into corporate apostolic theology, creating the New Testament's first hermeneutical precedent for reading Hebrew Scripture christologically.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Acts 1:1 3 references
Lexicals 3
Acts 27:21 Lexical
When they had been long without food, Paul stood up in the middle of them and said, “Sirs, you should have listened to m…
Acts 18:14 Lexical
But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked cr…
Hebrews 9:1 Lexical
Now indeed even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and an earthly sanctuary.
Acts 1:2 3 references
Lexicals 3
Luke 6:13 Lexical
When it was day, he called his disciples, and from them he chose twelve, whom he also named apostles:
Acts 6:5 Lexical
These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochor…
Ephesians 3:5 Lexical
which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles a…
Acts 1:3 5 references
Lexicals 5
Romans 6:13 Lexical
Also, do not present your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as alive from…
Acts 23:21 Lexical
Therefore don’t yield to them, for more than forty men lie in wait for him, who have bound themselves under a curse to n…
Luke 9:22 Lexical
saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be kille…
Mark 8:31 Lexical
He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, an…
Matthew 16:21 Lexical
From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, c…
Acts 1:4 1 reference
Acts 1:5 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 3:16 Lexical
John answered them all, “I indeed baptize you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandal…
Acts 11:16 Lexical
I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spi…
Matthew 3:11 Lexical
“I indeed baptize you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not wort…
John 3:23 Lexical
John also was baptizing in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. They came and were baptized;
Acts 10:47 Lexical
“Can anyone forbid these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just like us.”
Acts 1:7 3 references
Lexicals 3
Romans 7:1 Lexical
Or don’t you know, brothers (for I speak to men who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man for as long as h…
John 10:18 Lexical
No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down by myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it agai…
John 10:15 Lexical
even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep.
Acts 1:8 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 9:31 Lexical
So the assemblies throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were built up. They were multiplied, walking…
Luke 1:35 Lexical
The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore…
Hebrews 2:4 Lexical
God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders, by various works of power, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, ac…
Acts 2:33 Lexical
Being therefore exalted by the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he…
Luke 5:17 Lexical
On one of those days, he was teaching; and there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by who had come out of e…
Acts 1:10 4 references
Lexicals 4
Luke 24:13 Lexical
Behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was sixty stadia from Jerusalem.
Luke 24:4 Lexical
While they were greatly perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling clothing.
Luke 9:30 Lexical
Behold, two men were talking with him, who were Moses and Elijah,
Acts 8:27 Lexical
He arose and went; and behold, there was a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethi…
Acts 1:11 1 reference
Acts 1:12 3 references
Lexicals 3
Luke 21:37 Lexical
Every day Jesus was teaching in the temple, and every night he would go out and spend the night on the mountain that is…
Luke 19:29 Lexical
When he came near to Bethsphage and Bethany, at the mountain that is called Olivet, he sent two of his disciples,
Matthew 21:1 Lexical
When they came near to Jerusalem and came to Bethsphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,
Acts 1:13 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 3:18 Lexical
Andrew; Philip; Bartholomew; Matthew; Thomas; James, the son of Alphaeus; Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot;
Luke 6:15 Lexical
Matthew; Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus; Simon who was called the Zealot;
Matthew 10:3 Lexical
Philip; Bartholomew; Thomas; Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus; Lebbaeus, who was also called Thaddae…
Luke 6:14 Lexical
Simon, whom he also named Peter; Andrew, his brother; James; John; Philip; Bartholomew;
Matthew 10:2 Lexical
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these. The first, Simon, who is called Peter; Andrew, his brother; James the so…
Acts 1:14 4 references
Lexicals 4
Mark 15:40 Lexical
There were also women watching from afar, among whom were both Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James the less and…
Matthew 13:55 Lexical
Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother called Mary, and his brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?
Acts 2:46 Lexical
Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with…
Luke 14:26 Lexical
“If anyone comes to me, and doesn’t disregard his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters, yes, and hi…
Acts 1:15 1 reference
Acts 1:16 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 2:29 Lexical
“Brothers, I may tell you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to th…
Matthew 26:54 Lexical
How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that it must be so?”
John 19:24 Lexical
Then they said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it to decide whose it will be,” that the Scripture…
John 13:18 Lexical
I don’t speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats br…
Acts 3:21 Lexical
whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God spoke long ago by the mouth of his holy…
Acts 1:17 1 reference
Acts 1:19 4 references
Lexicals 4
Acts 2:14 Lexical
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice and spoke out to them, “You men of Judea and all you who dwe…
Acts 4:16 Lexical
saying, “What shall we do to these men? Because indeed a notable miracle has been done through them, as can be plainly s…
Luke 13:4 Lexical
Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all…
Matthew 27:8 Lexical
Therefore that field has been called “The Field of Blood” to this day.
Acts 1:20 4 references
Quotations 1
Lexicals 3
Luke 3:4 Lexical
As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready…
Acts 7:42 Lexical
But God turned away and gave them up to serve the army of the sky, as it is written in the book of the prophets, ‘Did yo…
Luke 20:42 Lexical
David himself says in the book of Psalms, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand,
Acts 1:21 1 reference
Acts 1:22 3 references
Lexicals 3
Acts 21:26 Lexical
Then Paul took the men, and the next day purified himself and went with them into the temple, declaring the fulfillment…
Acts 21:5 Lexical
When those days were over, we departed and went on our journey. They all, with wives and children, brought us on our way…
Matthew 11:12 Lexical
From the days of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
Interlinear
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Lemma
Morphology
Semantic Range
Theological Significance
Translation Notes
Key Passages
Historical Context
Places and events in this chapter
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Timeline
Resurrection
~30 ADJesus' victory over death through his bodily resurrection on the third day after crucifixion. This cornerstone event validates Jesus' divinity and provides hope of eternal life for believers.
Jesus' resurrection enables his promise of the Holy Spirit before his ascension.
The Promise of the Holy Spirit