Introduction to Acts

The Synoptic Gospels and Acts

How to Study the Bible

1:1 former account The Gospel of Luke. See Luke 1:1–4.

Theophilus This Greek name means “friend of God.” Theophilus could have been a specific person (perhaps Luke’s benefactor), or Luke could have intended this as a general description for all readers who considered themselves friends of God (compare John 15:15).

began The ministry of Jesus recorded in the Gospel of Luke was not the end of Christ’s work; Acts recounts the ongoing work of Jesus through the Holy Spirit and the early church.

1:2 until the day The Gospel of Luke records Jesus’ earthly ministry from His birth through His crucifixion and resurrection, ending with His ascension (Luke 24:50–53).

1:3 alive Luke emphasizes the reality of Jesus’ physical, bodily resurrection (compare 1 Cor 15). His resurrection and its implications then become the heart of the apostles’ message (e.g., Acts 2:24, 32; 3:15; 17:31).

after he suffered A reference to Jesus’ crucifixion, which together with His resurrection forms the foundation of the apostles’ preaching of repentance and forgiveness to all people (Luke 24:46–48).

proofs Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances to His disciples established beyond a doubt that He was physically alive, not merely present as a ghost or spiritual being.

forty days This time period may have theological significance for Luke (the narrator), who could be comparing the disciples’ time learning from Jesus after His ascension to Moses’ time learning from God on Mount Sinai (Exod 24:18).

kingdom of God In the ot, the kingdom of God (Yahweh) refers to God’s dominion (e.g., Psa 145:13; Isa 9:7; see 1 Chr 17:14 and note). Ultimately, the ot looks forward to fulfillment of God’s kingdom in the Messiah’s reign in grace and righteousness over the whole earth (e.g., Gen 49:10–11; Isa 11:1–9; Dan 2:44).

1:4 promised by the Father God promised to give a new spirit (or His Spirit) abundantly when He inaugurates the new covenant (Ezek 36:26; Joel 2:28–32). Jesus had told His disciples that the Holy Spirit would empower them to be effective in their mission (Luke 12:11–12; John 14:26).

1:5 John baptized John the Baptist’s ministry occurred just prior to, and in the early days of, Jesus’ ministry (compare Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16).

not many days from now If Jesus’ instruction here occurs 40 days (Acts 1:3) after Passover when He was crucified (see Luke 2:41 and note), no more than 10 days remain before the Festival of Weeks, or Pentecost (since the two feasts were 50 days apart; Lev 23:16). Pentecost is when the apostles’ baptism by the Holy Spirit took place (Acts 2:1).

1:6 they began asking him The ot affirms that the kingdom of God as inaugurated by the Messiah would be applicable to all people, marking the completion of God’s purposes of blessing the entire world through Abraham’s descendants (compare Gen 12:1–3; Isa 2:2–4; 53:12; Zech 14:9–21). The apostles may have expected a political fulfillment of this kingdom (compare John 6:15 and note; note on Acts 1:3).

Leviticus 26 and the New Testament

1:7 not for you to know Jesus deflects the apostles’ question and tells them they should not be concerned with timing.

power The Greek word used here, dynamis, can refer to power displayed in miracles (e.g., Acts 2:22; 4:7; 19:11), or (more generally) the ability of God or people to carry out their purposes (e.g., 3:12; 4:33). God will enable the apostles to accomplish His work, wherever and whatever it is.

my witnesses The apostles are called to testify about Christ—to proclaim the reality of His death and resurrection as well as His kingdom and lordship (compare v. 3 and note).

Mission in the Biblical Narrative

1:10 two men in white clothing The dress of these figures suggests they are angels (compare Luke 24:4).

Angels in the Bible Table

1:11 will come back The angels attest to Jesus’ future bodily return. Since Jesus ascended from the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:12), the angels may be alluding to the prophet Zechariah’s vision of the day of Yahweh, when Yahweh will come to stand upon the Mount of Olives, defeat His people’s enemies, and establish His rule over the earth (Zech 14).

The Kingdom of God: Already but Not Yet

1:12 Olive Grove The Mount of Olives is a ridge east of Jerusalem.

Sabbath day’s journey 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).

The Twelve Apostles Table

1:14 prayer 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.

1:15 Peter stood up 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).

1:16 it was necessary that the scripture be fulfilled 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.

1:18 this man acquired a field 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.

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

Akeldama 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.

1:20 it is written in the book of Psalms 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).

1:21 during all the time 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.

went in and went out 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).

1:23 Joseph called Barsabbas (who was called Justus) and Matthias Neither of these figures appears elsewhere in the nt. Although the narrative of Acts does not provide details about Joseph (Justus) and Matthias, it implies that both men were worthy candidates to replace Judas among the disciples.

1:24 who know the hearts of all This description of God also occurs in 15:8. The disciples acknowledge that God perceives their needs and their motives and will guide them in the way that is best.

you have chosen Just as the Lord Jesus had chosen the original twelve apostles, so He will choose Judas’ replacement as well. The Greek word used here for choosing also appears in v. 2.

1:25 his own place This could refer either to Judas abandoning his role as Jesus’ apostle to take up his role as Jesus’ traitor, or to Judas departing this life in condemnation and taking his place in death or hell.

1:26 they cast lots The practice of casting lots is known from the ot. The ot depicts certain types of lot casting not as a matter of chance but as an opportunity for God to make His will known in an unmistakable way (e.g., Lev 16:8; Josh 18:6, 8).

added The Greek word used here, synkatapsēphizomai, denotes an official enrollment into the ranks of the apostles: Matthias becomes one of the twelve apostles.