Acts 1:12-26

Acts 1:12-26

[12] Then  returned they  unto  Jerusalem  from  the mount  called  Olivet,  which  from  Jerusalem  a sabbath  day's journey.  [13] And  when  they were come in,  they went up  into  an upper room,  where  both  Peter,  and  James,  and  John,  and  Andrew,  Philip,  and  Thomas,  Bartholomew,  and  Matthew,  James  the son of Alphaeus,  and  Simon  and  Judas  the brother of James.  [14] These  all  with one accord  in prayer  and  with  the women,  and  Mary  the mother  of Jesus,  and  with  his  brethren.  [15] And  in  days  Peter  stood up  in  the midst  and said,  (the number  of names  together  an hundred  and twenty,)  [16] Men  and brethren,  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.  [17] For  numbered  and  had obtained  part  ministry.  [18] 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.  [19] And  it was  known  unto all  the dwellers  at Jerusalem;  insomuch as  that  field  is called  in their  proper  tongue,  Aceldama,  The field  of blood.  [20] For  it is written  in  the book  of Psalms,  his  habitation  be  desolate,  and  no man  dwell  therein:  and  his  bishoprick  another  take.  [21] Wherefore  men  which have companied  all  the time  that  the Lord  Jesus  in  and  out  among  [22] Beginning  from  the baptism  of John,  unto  that same day  that  he was taken up  from  one  be ordained  to be a witness  with  of his  resurrection.  [23] And  they appointed  two,  Joseph  called  Barsabas,  who  was surnamed  Justus,  and  Matthias.  [24] And  they prayed,  and said,  Thou,  Lord,  which knowest the hearts  of all  men, shew  whether  of  two  thou hast chosen,  [25] That he may take  ministry  and  apostleship,  which  Judas  by transgression fell,  that he might go  to  his own  place.  [26] And  they gave forth  their  lots;  and  the lot  fell  upon  Matthias;  and  he was numbered  with  the eleven  apostles. 

What does Acts 1:12-26 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Peter perceived the importance of asking God to identify Judas" successor in view of the ministry that Jesus had said the Twelve would have in the future. He led the disciples in obtaining the Lord Jesus" guidance in this important matter (cf. Acts 1:21; Acts 1:24). From his viewpoint, the Lord could have returned very soon to restore the kingdom to Israel ( Acts 1:6), so the Twelve had to be ready for their ministry of judging the twelve tribes of Israel when He did.