Focused Passage

Acts 1:12-26

The Risen Christ Commissions His Waiting Witnesses

The risen Christ proves his life, teaches the kingdom, promises the Spirit, ascends to heaven, and gathers his people into prayerful readiness for witness.

Berean Standard Bible, Public Domain - Translation notes - Reference sources

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near the city, a Sabbath day’s journey away.

13 When they arrived, they went to the upper room where they were staying: Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.

14 With one accord they all continued in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

15 In 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 that the Holy Spirit foretold through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus.

17 He 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.

19 This 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.’

21 Therefore 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,

22 beginning 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.”

23 So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.

24 And they prayed, “Lord, You know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two You have chosen

25 to take up this ministry and apostleship, which Judas abandoned to go to his rightful place.”

26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias. So he was added to the eleven apostles.

Study Helps

References and Original Words

Verse 12

Original words

Then Τότε G5119 Adverb they returned ὑπέστρεψαν G5290 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural to εἰς G1519 Preposition Jerusalem Ἰερουσαλὴμ G2419 Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular from ἀπὸ G575 Preposition [the] Mount ὄρους G3735 Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular - τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Neuter Singular of καλουμένου G2564 Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Genitive Neuter Singular Olives Ἐλαιῶνος G1638 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular which G3739 Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular is ἐστιν G1510 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular near ἐγγὺς G1451 Preposition [the city] Ἰερουσαλὴμ G2419 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular a Sabbath day’s σαββάτου G4521 Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular journey ὁδόν G3598 Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular away ἔχον G2192 Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Neuter Singular

BSB notes

  • A Sabbath day’s journey is 2,000 cubits (approximately 3,000 feet or 914.4 meters)
Verse 13

Original words

- καὶ G2532 Conjunction When ὅτε G3753 Adverb they arrived εἰσῆλθον G1525 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural they went ἀνέβησαν G305 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural to εἰς G1519 Preposition the τὸ G3588 Article - Accusative Neuter Singular upper room ὑπερῷον G5253 Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular where οὗ G3757 Adverb they were ἦσαν G1510 Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural staying καταμένοντες G2650 Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural - τε G5037 Conjunction - G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Peter Πέτρος G4074 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular and καὶ G2532 Conjunction John Ἰωάννης G2491 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular - καὶ G2532 Conjunction James Ἰάκωβος G2385 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular and καὶ G2532 Conjunction Andrew Ἀνδρέας G406 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Philip Φίλιππος G5376 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular and καὶ G2532 Conjunction Thomas Θωμᾶς G2381 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Bartholomew Βαρθολομαῖος G918 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular and καὶ G2532 Conjunction Matthew Μαθθαῖος G3156 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular James [son] Ἰάκωβος G2385 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular of Alphaeus Ἁλφαίου G256 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular - καὶ G2532 Conjunction Simon Σίμων G4613 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular the G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Zealot Ζηλωτὴς G2207 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular and καὶ G2532 Conjunction Judas [son] Ἰούδας G2455 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular of James Ἰακώβου G2385 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Verse 14

Original words

With one accord ὁμοθυμαδὸν G3661 Adverb they οὗτοι G3778 Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural - ἦσαν G1510 Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural all πάντες G3956 Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural continued προσκαρτεροῦντες G4342 Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural - τῇ G3588 Article - Dative Feminine Singular in prayer προσευχῇ G4335 Noun - Dative Feminine Singular along with σὺν G4862 Preposition [the] women γυναιξὶν G1135 Noun - Dative Feminine Plural and καὶ G2532 Conjunction Mary Μαριὰμ G3137 Noun - Dative Feminine Singular the τῇ G3588 Article - Dative Feminine Singular mother μητρὶ G3384 Noun - Dative Feminine Singular - τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Singular of Jesus Ἰησοῦ G2424 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular and καὶ G2532 Conjunction with σὺν G4862 Preposition - τοῖς G3588 Article - Dative Masculine Plural His αὐτοῦ G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular brothers ἀδελφοῖς G80 Noun - Dative Masculine Plural
Verse 15

Original words

- Καὶ G2532 Conjunction In ἐν G1722 Preposition those ταύταις G3778 Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Feminine Plural - ταῖς G3588 Article - Dative Feminine Plural days ἡμέραις G2250 Noun - Dative Feminine Plural Peter Πέτρος G4074 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular stood up ἀναστὰς G450 Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular vvv ἐν G1722 Preposition among μέσῳ G3319 Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular the τῶν G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Plural brothers ἀδελφῶν G80 Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural - τε G5037 Conjunction ( a gathering of ἐπὶ G1909 Preposition . . . ὀνομάτων G3686 Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural - ἦν G1510 Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular about ὡσεὶ G5616 Adverb a hundred ἑκατὸν G1540 Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural [and] twenty ) εἴκοσι G1501 Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural - ὄχλος G3793 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular [and] τὸ G3588 Article - Accusative Neuter Singular - αὐτὸ G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Neuter 3rd Person Singular said εἶπεν G2036 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Verse 16

Original words

vvv Ἄνδρες G435 Noun - Vocative Masculine Plural Brothers ἀδελφοί G80 Noun - Vocative Masculine Plural the τὴν G3588 Article - Accusative Feminine Singular Scripture γραφὴν G1124 Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular had to ἔδει G1163 Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular be fulfilled πληρωθῆναι G4137 Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive that ἣν G3739 Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Singular the τὸ G3588 Article - Nominative Neuter Singular - τὸ G3588 Article - Nominative Neuter Singular Holy Ἅγιον G40 Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular Spirit Πνεῦμα G4151 Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular foretold προεῖπεν G4277 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular through διὰ G1223 Preposition [the] mouth στόματος G4750 Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular of David Δαυὶδ G1138 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular concerning περὶ G4012 Preposition Judas Ἰούδα G2455 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular who τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Singular became γενομένου G1096 Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Genitive Masculine Singular a guide ὁδηγοῦ G3595 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular for those who τοῖς G3588 Article - Dative Masculine Plural arrested συλλαβοῦσιν G4815 Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Dative Masculine Plural Jesus Ἰησοῦν G2424 Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Verse 17

Original words

- ὅτι G3754 Conjunction He was ἦν G1510 Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular one of ἐν G1722 Preposition our ἡμῖν G1473 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Plural number κατηριθμημένος G2674 Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular and καὶ G2532 Conjunction shared ἔλαχεν G2975 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular . . . τὸν G3588 Article - Accusative Masculine Singular . . . κλῆρον G2819 Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular in this ταύτης G3778 Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Feminine Singular - τῆς G3588 Article - Genitive Feminine Singular ministry διακονίας G1248 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Verse 18

Original words

Now οὖν G3767 Conjunction - μὲν G3303 Conjunction with ἐκ G1537 Preposition [the] reward μισθοῦ G3408 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular for [his] τῆς G3588 Article - Genitive Feminine Singular wickedness ἀδικίας G93 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular [Judas] Οὗτος G3778 Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular bought ἐκτήσατο G2932 Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular a field χωρίον G5564 Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular [there] καὶ G2532 Conjunction he fell γενόμενος G1096 Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Singular headlong πρηνὴς G4248 Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular and burst open ἐλάκησεν G2997 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular in [the] middle μέσος G3319 Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular and καὶ G2532 Conjunction all πάντα G3956 Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural his αὐτοῦ G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular - τὰ G3588 Article - Nominative Neuter Plural intestines σπλάγχνα G4698 Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural spilled out ἐξεχύθη G1632 Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Verse 19

Original words

- καὶ G2532 Conjunction [This] became ἐγένετο G1096 Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular known γνωστὸν G1110 Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular to all πᾶσι G3956 Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural - τοῖς G3588 Article - Dative Masculine Plural who lived κατοικοῦσιν G2730 Verb - Present Participle Active - Dative Masculine Plural in Jerusalem Ἰερουσαλήμ G2419 Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular so ὥστε G5620 Conjunction they called κληθῆναι G2564 Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive that ἐκεῖνο G1565 Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular - τὸ G3588 Article - Accusative Neuter Singular field χωρίον G5564 Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular in τῇ G3588 Article - Dative Feminine Singular their αὐτῶν G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural own ἰδίᾳ G2398 Adjective - Dative Feminine Singular language διαλέκτῳ G1258 Noun - Dative Feminine Singular Akeldama Ἁκελδαμάχ* G184 Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular that τοῦτ’ G3778 Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular is ἔστιν G1510 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Field Χωρίον G5564 Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular of Blood αἵματος G129 Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Verse 20

Original words

For γὰρ G1063 Conjunction it is written Γέγραπται G1125 Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular in ἐν G1722 Preposition [the] book βίβλῳ G976 Noun - Dative Feminine Singular of Psalms Ψαλμῶν G5568 Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural {May} his αὐτοῦ G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular - G3588 Article - Nominative Feminine Singular place ἔπαυλις G1886 Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular be Γενηθήτω G1096 Verb - Aorist Imperative Passive - 3rd Person Singular deserted ἔρημος G2048 Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular - καὶ G2532 Conjunction let there be ἔστω G1510 Verb - Present Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular no μὴ G3361 Adverb [one] G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Singular to dwell κατοικῶν G2730 Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular in ἐν G1722 Preposition it αὐτῇ G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Feminine 3rd Person Singular and Καί G2532 Conjunction {May} another ἕτερος G2087 Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular take λαβέτω G2983 Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular his αὐτοῦ G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular - Τὴν G3588 Article - Accusative Feminine Singular position ἐπισκοπὴν G1984 Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular

BSB notes

  • Psalm 69:25
  • Psalm 109:8
Verse 21

Original words

Therefore οὖν G3767 Conjunction it is necessary [to choose] Δεῖ G1163 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular one of the τῶν G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Plural men ἀνδρῶν G435 Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural who have accompanied συνελθόντων G4905 Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Plural us ἡμῖν G1473 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Plural vvv ἐν G1722 Preposition [the] whole παντὶ G3956 Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular time χρόνῳ G5550 Noun - Dative Masculine Singular - G3739 Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular the G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Lord Κύριος G2962 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Jesus Ἰησοῦς G2424 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular went in εἰσῆλθεν G1525 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular and καὶ G2532 Conjunction out ἐξῆλθεν G1831 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular among ἐφ’ G1909 Preposition us ἡμᾶς G1473 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Plural
Verse 22

Original words

beginning ἀρξάμενος G756 Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Singular from ἀπὸ G575 Preposition John’s Ἰωάννου G2491 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular - τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Neuter Singular baptism βαπτίσματος G908 Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular until ἕως G2193 Preposition the τῆς G3588 Article - Genitive Feminine Singular day ἡμέρας G2250 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular - ἧς G3739 Personal / Relative Pronoun - Genitive Feminine Singular [Jesus] was taken up ἀνελήμφθη G353 Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular from ἀφ’ G575 Preposition us ἡμῶν G1473 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural [For] one ἕνα G1520 Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular of these τούτων G3778 Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Plural must become γενέσθαι G1096 Verb - Aorist Infinitive Middle a witness μάρτυρα G3144 Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular with σὺν G4862 Preposition us ἡμῖν G1473 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Plural of τῆς G3588 Article - Genitive Feminine Singular His αὐτοῦ G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular resurrection ἀναστάσεως G386 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Verse 23

Original words

[So] Καὶ G2532 Conjunction they proposed ἔστησαν G2476 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural two [men] δύο G1417 Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural Joseph Ἰωσὴφ G2501 Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular - τὸν G3588 Article - Accusative Masculine Singular called καλούμενον G2564 Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Singular Barsabbas Βαρσαββᾶν G923 Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular ( - ὃς G3739 Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular [also] known as ἐπεκλήθη G1941 Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular Justus) Ἰοῦστος G2459 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular and καὶ G2532 Conjunction Matthias Μαθθίαν G3159 Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Verse 24

Original words

And καὶ G2532 Conjunction they prayed προσευξάμενοι G4336 Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Plural - εἶπαν G2036 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Lord Κύριε G2962 Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular You Σὺ G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Singular know everyone’s heart καρδιογνῶστα G2589 Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular . . . πάντων G3956 Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural Show [us] ἀνάδειξον G322 Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular which ὃν G3739 Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular . . . ἕνα G1520 Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular of ἐκ G1537 Preposition these τούτων G3778 Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Plural - τῶν G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Plural two δύο G1417 Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural You have chosen ἐξελέξω G1586 Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Singular
Verse 25

Original words

to take up λαβεῖν G2983 Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active . . . τὸν G3588 Article - Accusative Masculine Singular . . . τόπον G5117 Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular - τῆς G3588 Article - Genitive Feminine Singular this ταύτης G3778 Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Feminine Singular ministry διακονίας G1248 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular and καὶ G2532 Conjunction apostleship ἀποστολῆς G651 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular - ἀφ’ G575 Preposition which ἧς G3739 Personal / Relative Pronoun - Genitive Feminine Singular Judas Ἰούδας G2455 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular abandoned παρέβη G3845 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular to go πορευθῆναι G4198 Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive to εἰς G1519 Preposition his τὸν G3588 Article - Accusative Masculine Singular - τὸν G3588 Article - Accusative Masculine Singular [rightful] ἴδιον G2398 Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular place τόπον G5117 Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Verse 26

Original words

Then καὶ G2532 Conjunction they cast ἔδωκαν G1325 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural lots κλήρους G2819 Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural . . . αὐτοῖς G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural and καὶ G2532 Conjunction the G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Singular lot κλῆρος G2819 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular fell ἔπεσεν G4098 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular to ἐπὶ G1909 Preposition Matthias Μαθθίαν G3159 Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular [So] καὶ G2532 Conjunction he was added συνκατεψηφίσθη G4785 Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular to μετὰ G3326 Preposition the τῶν G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Plural eleven ἕνδεκα G1733 Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural apostles ἀποστόλων G652 Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural

Berean Standard Bible (BSB): CC0 Public Domain Scripture text. Focused passages are drawn from the same reader contract as the full chapter. Reference sources explains external study-link sources.