Acts 1:15-26 · Bible study
Acts 1:15-26 Commentary: Restoring the Twelve
Greek · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
How the early church, led by Peter, chose Matthias to replace Judas. The role of Scripture, prayer, and community in Acts 1:15-26.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The early church, led by Peter, uses Scripture and prayer to choose Matthias as the twelfth apostle, replacing Judas.
- Key words: klēros (lot) appears three times, linking the concepts of divine allotment and shared ministry; kardiognōsta (heart-knower) is used only here and in Acts 8:24.
- Main debate: Whether the use of lots is prescriptive for church decision-making or a unique, transitional method before Pentecost.
- Theological theme: God's sovereignty over human failure; the number twelve symbolizes the restored people of God; Jesus continues to lead His church from heaven.
- Best use: A model for corporate discernment: grounding decisions in Scripture, defining clear qualifications, praying earnestly, and trusting God to reveal His choice.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
15In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (a gathering of about a hundred and twenty) and said,
16“Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit foretold through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus.
17He was one of our number and shared in this ministry.”
18(Now with the reward for his wickedness Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong and burst open in the middle, and all his intestines spilled out.
19This became known to all who lived in Jerusalem, so they called that field in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
20“For it is written in the book of Psalms: ‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and, ‘May another take his position.’
21Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
22beginning from John’s baptism until the day Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”
23So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.
24And they prayed, “Lord, You know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two You have chosen
25to take up this ministry and apostleship, which Judas abandoned to go to his rightful place.”
26Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
WEB World English Bible 2000
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.
KJV King James Version 1769
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.
21Wherefore 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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
15And in these days Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren, and said (and there was a multitude of persons gathered together, about a hundred and twenty),
16Brethren, it was needful that the scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spake before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to them that took Jesus.
17For he was numbered among us, and received his portion in this ministry.
18(Now this man obtained a field with the reward of his iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
19And it became known to all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch 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, And let no man dwell therein: and, His office let another take.
21Of the men therefore that have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us,
22beginning from the baptism of John, unto the day that he was received up from us, of these must one become a witness with us of his resurrection.
23And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
24And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show of these two the one whom thou hast chosen,
25to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place.
26And they gave lots for them; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
15And in these days, Peter having risen up in the midst of the disciples, said, (the multitude also of the names at the same place was, as it were, an hundred and twenty,)
16`Men, brethren, it behoved this Writing that it be fulfilled that beforehand the Holy Spirit spake through the mouth of David, concerning Judas, who became guide to those who took Jesus,
17because he was numbered among us, and did receive the share in this ministration,
18this one, indeed, then, purchased a field out of the reward of unrighteousness, and falling headlong, burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed forth,
19and it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem, insomuch that that place is called, in their proper dialect, Aceldama, that is, field of blood,
20for it hath been written in the book of Psalms: Let his lodging-place become desolate, and let no one be dwelling in it, and his oversight let another take.
21`It behoveth, therefore, of the men who did go with us during all the time in which the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us,
22beginning from the baptism of John, unto the day in which he was received up from us, one of these to become with us a witness of his rising again.'
23And they set two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias,
24and having prayed, they said, `Thou, Lord, who art knowing the heart of all, shew which one thou didst choose of these two
25to receive the share of this ministration and apostleship, from which Judas, by transgression, did fall, to go on to his proper place;'
26and they gave their lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
15And in those days Peter, standing up in the midst of the brethren, said, (the crowd of names [who were] together [was] about a hundred and twenty,)
16Brethren, it was necessary that the scripture should have been fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before, by the mouth of David, concerning Judas, who became guide to those who took Jesus;
17for he was numbered amongst us, and had received a part in this service.
18(This [man] then indeed got a field with [the] reward of iniquity, and, having fallen down headlong, burst in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
19And it was known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that that field was called in their own dialect Aceldama; that is, field of blood.)
20For it is written in [the] book of Psalms, Let his homestead become desolate, and let there be no dweller in it; and, Let another take his overseership.
21It is necessary therefore, that of the men who have assembled with us all [the] time in which the Lord Jesus came in and went out among us,
22beginning from the baptism of John until the day in which he was taken up from us, one of these should be a witness with us of his resurrection.
23And they appointed two, Joseph, who was called Barsabas, who had been surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
24And they prayed, and said, Thou Lord, knower of the hearts of all, shew which one of these two thou hast chosen,
25to receive the lot of this service and apostleship, from which Judas transgressing fell to go to his own place.
26And they gave lots on them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
15In those days Peter rising up in the midst of the brethren, said (now the number of persons together was about an hundred and twenty):
16Men, brethren, the scripture must needs be fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was the leader of them that apprehended Jesus:
17Who was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
18And he indeed hath possessed a field of the reward of iniquity, and being hanged, burst asunder in the midst: and all his bowels gushed out.
19And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem: so that the same field was called in their tongue, Haceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.
20For it is written in the book of Psalms: Let their habitation become desolate, and let there be none to dwell therein. And his bishopric let another take.
21Wherefore of these men who have companied with us, all the time that the Lord Jesus came in and went out among us,
22Beginning from the baptism of John, until the day wherein he was taken up from us, one of these must be made a witness with us of his resurrection.
23And they appointed two, Joseph, called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
24And praying, they said: Thou, Lord, who knowest the heart of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
25To take the place of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas hath by transgression fallen, that he might go to his own place.
26And they gave them lot, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Acts 1:15
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that this passage describes the first corporate act of the reconstituted apostolic community. Peter, as spokesman, grounds the need to replace Judas in Scripture, specifically Psalms 69:25 and 109:8, showing that the betrayal and its aftermath fulfill divine purpose (Clarke; Barnes). The parenthesis in verses 18-19 (Judas's death and the field's name) is widely recognized as Luke's explanatory note, not part of Peter's speech (Calvin; Cambridge Bible). The community of about 120, not just the eleven, nominates two qualified men who had accompanied Jesus from John's baptism to the ascension. The prayer addresses Jesus as kardiognōsta (heart-knower), a title for God, which several commentators take as evidence for the early church's worship of Christ (JFB; Gill). Lots are cast to seek divine choice, an Old Testament practice (Proverbs 16:33), and the lot falls to Matthias, who is then numbered with the eleven. The core consensus is that the disciples acted in faithful continuity with Scripture, prayer, and the authority of the risen Lord, not by human preference.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Lot as divine directional tool: Proverbs 16:33 ('The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from Yahweh'); the apostles' prayer and the lot's outcome show that God directly chose Matthias.
- Lot as a temporary measure: The church later received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2) and thereafter used prayer and spiritual discernment rather than lots; Paul's later calling suggests a different method.
What is clear: The early church acted with a clear sense of biblical precedent, spiritual qualifications, prayerful dependence on God, and unity in accepting Matthias as the twelfth apostle.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Role of lots in church decision-making | All traditions recognize that the apostles used lots to discern God's will in this unique situation between the ascension and Pentecost. | Some see the method as temporary and never repeated, preferring scriptural qualifications and congregational consensus today. Others hold that lots remain a valid way to seek God's direction when human judgment is divided. |
| Peter's leadership | Most agree that Peter acts as a spokesman and leader, reflecting his restoration and the authority Jesus gave him. | Catholic traditions see this as an early exercise of Petrine primacy; Protestant and Eastern Orthodox traditions emphasize the collective action of the whole community with Peter as first among equals. |
| Necessity of the twelve apostles | All agree that the early church believed it was necessary to maintain the number twelve, symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel. | Some argue that Matthias is the divinely chosen twelfth apostle; others point to Paul's later calling as God's intended replacement, suggesting that the church acted prematurely. |
| Judas's death and destination | All affirm that Judas died tragically and went to a place of judgment ('his own place'). | The manner of death (hanging vs. falling headlong) is harmonized differently: some see a broken rope, others emphasize the spiritual and physical ruin. |
Historical & Cultural Context
The scene unfolds in the ten days between Jesus' ascension (Acts 1:9-11) and Pentecost (Acts 2:1). The disciples have been waiting in Jerusalem as instructed, staying in an upper room (Acts 1:13). The group of 120 includes the eleven apostles, women, Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers (Acts 1:14). This number may echo the Jewish requirement of a minyan (ten men) for a synagogue, but here it is a larger gathered assembly ready to act.
Peter's leadership is striking. After his denial and restoration (John 21:15-19), he now stands to address the whole group. The qualification for apostleship, having accompanied Jesus from John's baptism until the ascension, reflects the need for an eyewitness of the resurrection, the central apostolic testimony.
The use of lots was familiar in Jewish practice. The Old Testament describes the casting of lots to discern God's will (Leviticus 16:8; Joshua 18:6; Proverbs 16:33). For the disciples, this method ensured that the choice was God's, not theirs. The two candidates, Joseph called Barsabbas (also Justus) and Matthias, were likely from the seventy disciples Jesus had earlier sent out (Luke 10:1). Nothing more is known of Matthias in the New Testament; he appears only here and in the list of apostles.
The account of Judas's death in verses 18-19 supplements Matthew 27:3-10. Matthew tells of Judas hanging himself and the priests buying the field; Acts describes a fall with bursting bowels. The details are not contradictory: the rope may have broken, causing a fatal fall (Barnes; JFB). The field's Aramaic name, Akeldama, meaning "Field of Blood," preserved the shame of the betrayal in Jerusalem's geography.
Textual Notes
The most significant textual variant is in verse 15, where the best manuscripts (Alexandrinus, Vaticanus, and others) read adelphōn ('brothers') rather than mathētōn ('disciples'). The weight of early versions (Coptic, Vulgate) supports 'brothers,' which is now accepted as the original reading (Clarke; Cambridge Bible). In verse 25, the Byzantine text reads ton klēron ('the lot'), but the older manuscripts (Sinaiticus, Vaticanus) read ton topon ('the place'), as reflected in the BSB translation. The context supports 'the place,' since Judas left 'his own place' (v.25b) and the new apostle is to take the 'place' of ministry. The consulted sources note no other significant variants that affect interpretation.
Reception History
In the early church, the selection of Matthias was seen as the first apostolic election, establishing a pattern for filling vacancies in church leadership. Origen and Chrysostom noted the apostles' careful qualifications and prayer. During the Reformation, both Catholic and Protestant readings emphasized different aspects: Catholic commentators saw Peter's role as a sign of papal authority; Reformed writers stressed the congregation's involvement and the use of lots to submit to God's choice. The phrase 'his own place' (v.25) was widely interpreted as a reference to hell, appearing in sermons on divine judgment. In modern discussions, the passage often surfaces in debates about church polity and the role of corporate prayer in decision-making. The observation that Matthias disappears from the biblical narrative after this chapter has led some traditions to view him as a transitional figure, while others simply note that many faithful servants of God remain unknown to us.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Scripture guides the church’s action (vv.16-20). Peter shows that the betrayal and vacancy were not accidents; the Psalms had spoken of it. The church's decisions are never without biblical precedent, even in crisis.
- Qualifications matter (vv.21-22). The candidate must have been a companion of Jesus from beginning to end, an eyewitness of the resurrection. Integrity and continuity with Jesus' ministry are non-negotiable.
- Community prayer and God’s choice (vv.23-26). The disciples nominate, but God decides through the lot. Prayer precedes every step, trusting that the Lord who knows hearts will provide.
Five-point outline
- Gathering in unity (v.15). One hundred twenty believers, gathered in one place, waiting and ready to act.
- Interpreting Scripture (v.16-20). Peter reads the Psalms as prophecy about Judas and the need for replacement. Scripture is living and directional.
- Defining the witness (vv.21-22). The apostolic role requires firsthand knowledge of Jesus’ entire public ministry and resurrection.
- Prayerful dependence (vv.24-25). The congregation prays, addressing Christ as the heart-knower, and submits to His sovereign choice.
- Divine confirmation (v.26). The lot falls on Matthias, and he is received as the twelfth apostle. The number twelve is restored.
Illustration hooks
- A church board that needs to fill a vacant pastoral role: they spend weeks in prayer before even posting the job description.
- When a team loses a key player, the rest feel the gap. The early church felt the absence of Judas and acted deliberately, not panicking.
- Selecting a leader for a mission trip: everyone has ideas, but the group prays together and asks God to show whom He has already chosen.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why does the church today not choose leaders by casting lots?
- Was Matthias the right choice, or should the church have waited for Paul? Could this be a mistake?
- How can I know if God is calling me, or someone else, to a specific role in the church?
Leading a Discussion
This passage shows the early church responding to a crisis with Scripture, prayer, and community discernment. As you discuss it, consider how your own church makes decisions when a key leader steps away. What does it mean to trust that God already knows the outcome?
Discussion questions
- Why does Luke mention that about 120 people were present? Why is the number and composition of the group significant?
- How does Peter use Scripture in verses 16-20? What does his approach tell us about the way the early church read the Psalms?
- Verses 18-19 interrupt Peter's speech. Why might Luke include these gruesome details? What do they reveal about Judas's end?
- The apostles required the replacement to have been with Jesus from John's baptism to the ascension. Why were these particular qualifications necessary for being a witness of the resurrection?
- In verse 24, the disciples pray, "Lord, You know everyone's heart." How does this address shape their trust in the process? What does it reveal about whom they are praying to?
- They cast lots to decide between the two candidates. How does this method compare to how we make choices in the church today? What principles from this process can we keep even if we don't use lots?
- Matthias is immediately "numbered with the eleven apostles." What does this say about the restoration of the twelve? How does this comfort or challenge your understanding of God's sovereignty over leadership in the church?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Psalms 32:5 | I acknowledged my sin to you. I didn’t hide my iniquity. I said, I will confess my transgressions to Yahweh, and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah. |
| Psalms 32:6 | For this, let everyone who is godly pray to you in a time when you may be found. Surely when the great waters overflow, they shall not reach to him. |
| Psalms 51:9 | Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all of my iniquities. |
| Psalms 51:13 | Then I will teach transgressors your ways. Sinners will be converted to you. |
| Matthew 13:31 | He set another parable before them, saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took, and sowed in his field, |
| Luke 22:32 | but I prayed for you, that your faith wouldn’t fail. You, when once you have turned again, establish your brothers.” |
| John 14:12 | Most certainly I tell you, he who believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also; and he will do greater works than these, because I am going to my Father. |
| John 21:15 | So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
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What the Commentators Say
8 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes emphasizes that Matthias was chosen to fill a temporary, specific role as a witness to the resurrection, not to establish a line of successors. He argues that the entire church had a voice in the election, setting a precedent for congregational selection of ministers. The casting of lots was a solemn appeal to God for guidance in a matter they could not decide themselves.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin emphasizes that the apostles used lots so Matthias would be known as chosen by God, not merely by human vote, preserving the divine calling of the apostolic office. He defends the lawful use of lots in sacred matters when accompanied by prayer and submission to God’s will, distinguishing this from superstitious fortune-telling.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
This commentary treats the description of Judas's death as a parenthetical note from
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes emphasize that replacing Judas was necessary to keep the number of apostles at twelve, as foretold by the Holy Spirit through David. The choice of Matthias by lot, after prayer, shows the apostles trusted God alone to reveal His chosen successor for this sacred office.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB's distinctive emphasis is that the apostles' prayer to "Thou, Lord" was directed to the risen Christ, making this the first recorded prayer offered to the exalted Redeemer and giving indirect but strong proof of His divinity. The phrase "his own place" for Judas is a softened euphemism for his destined and congenial future, not merely a location.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry emphasizes that the apostles were originally chosen as twelve to mirror the twelve tribes of Israel, the twelve patriarchs, and the twelve stars of the church's crown in Revelation. Judas's defection created a vacancy in this divinely appointed number, making it necessary to fill it so the symbolic completeness could be restored.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent carefully examines the original Greek terms, noting that "obtained" literally means "received by lot" and that Judas did not personally purchase the field but the priests bought it with his returned money. He also clarifies that "witness" means one who testifies, not a spectator, and that "another" refers to a different person entirely.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley highlights that the lot was used because after human consultation reached its limit, the decision was committed directly to God. He also notes that "his own place" refers not to a geographical location but to the state Judas deserved and chose for himself, far from the other apostles.