Acts 1:12-26

Acts 1:12 The Mount of Olives is a ridge east of Jerusalem. The later rabbinic work, the Mishnah, sets this at about three-fifths of a mile, the longest distance Jews were allowed to walk without breaking the Sabbath (Mishnah Eruvin 4.8).

Acts 1:13. Normally second-story rooms were large in first-century Jerusalem, so they offered a likely meeting place. We must avoid making a holy shrine of this or any place. It could have been the same room in which they met for the Last Supper, or the one in which the events of John 20 occurred; the specific location is of no concern. Remember the Samaritan woman’s argument about worshiping in Samaria or Jerusalem? Jesus regarded place unimportant; only heart attitude mattered.

Acts 1:14 Luke often shows how God uses prayer to work in and through His Church (e.g., 4:24–30; 16:25; 21:5).

the women and Mary the mother of Jesus The mention of women in Luke’s account (9:36; 16:14; 21:9) reflects his theological emphasis that all people (Jew and Gentile, rich and poor, men and women) are included in the community and mission of the Church.

Acts 1:15 Peter is portrayed throughout Luke and Acts as one of the primary leaders among the apostles—although that does not mean he possessed sole authority (15:6,22–23) or was beyond rebuke (see Gal 2:11–14 and note; compare note on Acts 1:13).

James the brother of Jesus was also very influential, as the leader of the Jerusalem church (e.g., 15:13; 21:18).

Acts 1:16 Peter’s speech continues its emphasis on the fulfillment of Scripture. In v. 20, Peter explains that he has in mind two psalms of David being fulfilled via Judas’ actions.

Peter interprets Judas’ betrayal of Jesus as, though evil, ultimately used by God for His purposes of saving sinners, since it led to Jesus’ sacrificial death (compare Luke 22:21–22; Matt 26:23–25; John 13:18–30). The Gospel of Luke’s depiction of Jesus shows how Jesus’ entire mission aligns with what was prophesied about Him (e.g., Luke 4:16–21).

Acts 1:18 Acts records that Judas purchased the property himself with the 30 pieces of silver the Jewish religious leaders had paid him for betraying Jesus (Matt 26:14–15) and died in a gruesome manner, falling and bursting open in the field. Matthew records that these religious leaders bought the field with Judas’ money after Judas had hung himself (Matt 27:3–8). The two accounts could provide different aspects of the same episode: Judas hung himself, and his body fell and burst open on the ground; the religious leaders then bought the property in his name following his suicide.

Acts 1:19 Aramaic, the primary language spoken by Jews in the first-century ad.

The exact location of this field is uncertain. It may be on the southeast side of the Hinnom Valley, which is on the southwest side of Jerusalem.

Acts 1:20 Peter claims two psalms foretell God’s judgment upon Judas (citing Psa 69:25) and the need for his replacement (Psa 109:8). These are psalms of David (compare Acts 1:16). Just as God judged David’s betrayers, so He has judged and punished Judas, the one who betrayed the Son of David (Jesus).

Acts 1:21 The new apostle must have been a companion of Jesus and His disciples from the beginning of His earthly ministry to the end, especially the defining moments—John the Baptist’s time, seeing the resurrected Jesus, and witnessing Jesus’ ascension. These moments pointed the disciples toward a true understanding of who Jesus is and what He came to accomplish. The apostle who replaces Judas must be able to bear witness to all that occurred in Jesus’ ministry and have been the beneficiary of the whole of Jesus’ ministry.

Judas’ replacement had to have personally interacted with Jesus during His earthly ministry. This is so that the new apostle can be a legitimate and effective eyewitness alongside the other apostles, as Jesus had specified (see v. 8).