The Acts of the Apostles
Acts 1
Chapter I · Vol. IV, pp. 254–255
1 Christ, preparing his apostles to the beholding of his ascension, gathereth them together into the mount Olivet, commandeth them to expect in Jerusalem the sending down of the Holy Ghost, promiseth after few days to send it: by virtue whereof they should be witnesses unto him, even to the utmost parts of the earth. 10 After his ascension they are warned by two angels to depart, and to set their minds upon his second coming. 12 They accordingly return, and, giving themselves to prayer, choose Matthias apostle in the place of Judas.
1 The formera treatise have I made, O Theophilus, bof all that Jesus began both to do and teach,Cited in WSC 24
2 Until the day in which he cwas taken up, after that he dthrough the Holy Ghost ehad given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:1Cited in WSC 24 · WLC 53
c Mar.16.19. Lu.24.51. ver.9. He.1.3. 1 Ti.3.16.
d Jn.3.34. Mat.3.16. Is.11.2-4;61.1-3.
e Mat.28.19,20. Mar.16.15-18. Lu.24.45-49. Jn.20.21-23; 21.15-17. ch.10.41,42.
1 Luke here states the scope and purpose of his Gospel in a few words—Christ's life, acts, and teachings, in so far as these were designed to develop Christianity, and to set an example to the church in every age. He began with the advent, and closed with the ascension. Now he takes up the narrative in order to show the subsequent results.—P.
3 Tog whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them hforty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the ikingdom of God:Cited in WLC 53
g Mat. xxviii. Mar. xvi. Lu. xxiv. Jn. xx. xxi. ch.10.40-42. 1 Co.15.5-8.
4 And, being assembled together with them,2 commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for jthe promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
2 Or, eating together with them.
j Lu.24.49. Jn.14.16,26; 15.26; 16.7; 20.22. ch.2.4,33;4.8.
5 Fork John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
k Mat.3.11. ch.2.4; 11.15,16;19.4.
6 When they therefore were come together3 they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time lrestore again the kingdom to Israel?
7 And he said unto them, nIt is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
* This verse is in antithesis to the preceding. Knowledge of the future, which might gratify curiosity, but would be of no practical advantage, is denied to the disciples: but, on the other hand, power is promised to them which would enable them to accomplish God's great work on earth. The extent of their field of labour is here indicated. It is no longer limited to the Jews. They are no longer prohibited from entering the territory of the Samaritans. Even the Gentiles are now embraced in the apostles' grand commission.—P.
A.M. cir. 4037. A.D. cir. 33.
n De.29.29. Mat.24.36;13.32. Lu.17.20. See Jn.21.21. 1 Th.5.1.
8 Buto ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:4 and ye shall be pwitnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.5
9 Andq when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.Cited in WLC 53 · HC 46, 76
q Mar.16.19. Lu.24.50,51. Jn.6.62. Mat.17.5.
10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven, as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in rwhite apparel;Cited in WLC 53 · HC 46, 76
11 Which also said, Ye smen of Galilee, twhy stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, ushall so come in like manner6 as ye have seen him go into heaven.Cited in WSC 21, 28 · WLC 51, 53 · WCF 8.4 · HC 46, 76
12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from vthe mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a 7sabbath-day's journey.8
13 And when they were come in, they went up into an xupper room, where abode both yPeter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
x ch.20.8; 9.37,39. Lu.22.12; 24.53. Jn.20.19,26.
14 Thesez all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
15 And in those days aPeter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of the names9 together were about an hundred and twenty,)1
16 Men and brethren, bThis 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 he was cnumbered with us, and had obtained part of this dministry.
c Jn.6.70,71. Mat.10.4. Lu.6.16. ver.25.
d ch.12.25;20.24;21.19.
18 Nowe this man purchased2 a field with the reward of iniquity; and gfalling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.3
e Mat.27.5-10;26.15. 2 Pe.2.15.
2 Though the priests bought it for a stranger's cemetery, it appears from this statement that they only paid for a purchase that Judas had previously made.—C.
g Mat.27.5. Ps.55.15,23.
3 Matthew states that Judas, when he saw that Jesus was condemned, 'went and hanged himself.' Here Luke says, 'falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst.' There is no real discrepancy. Matthew shows that he attempted suicide; Luke is more particular, and shows that during the suicidal attempt a catastrophe of some kind occurred; he fell, and in the fall was fearfully mutilated. He was thus in reality guilty of the crime of self-murder; while at the same time the vengeance of Heaven reached him in a direct and terrible form. The diversity of narrative indicates very clearly the entire independence of the historians.—P.
19 And 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.
20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Leth his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and, His bishopric4 let another take.
21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us iall the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained5 to be a jwitness with us of his resurrection.
5 The original has no word for 'ordained,' but would run thus:—'must one be or become a witness with us,' &c.—C.
j ver.8; ch.2.32;10.39,41;13.31. He.2.3.
23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas,k who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
k ch.15.22.
24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, whichl knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen,6Cited in WLC 112, 179
l De.31.21. 1 Sa.16.7. Ps.7.9;44.21;94.9-11. Pr.15.11. Je.11.20;17.10;20.12. ch.15.8. He.4.13. Re.2.23. Jn.2.24,25.
6 The scope of this verse, especially the last clause, appears to indicate that this prayer was addressed to Jesus. It was he who chose the apostles, and to him their risen and glorified Lord it is natural for them now to appeal when a successor to Judas is to be appointed.—P.
Notes
Ver. 6. Restore the kingdom. Not merely by breaking the Roman yoke, but by overturning the Pharisaic or Sadducean oligarchy, and re-establishing the constitutional monarchy of David. This idea of an immediate temporal kingdom still haunted the disciples; and, in prospect, is still the hope of the Jewish nation, unless where, alas! they have become totally infidel. The answer of our Lord (ver. 7) seems clearly to intimate that a national restoration is one of the purposes of Providence, though the date of its accomplishment has not been revealed. C.
Ver. 7, 8. Power. The word translated power in ver. 7 is ἐξουσία. The passage there may be rendered thus: 'which the Father hath reserved in his own disposal,' as things unrevealed.—The word here translated power is δύναμις, signifying miraculous power communicated from God. C.
Ver. 13. Upper room. Some have supposed this 'room' to have been in the temple; no opinion can seem more unnatural. If, in the absence of certainty, conjecture may be indulged, might not our thoughts turn to 'the large upper room furnished' in which our Lord and his disciples partook of the last supper? Lu. 22. 12. C.
Ver. 25. His own place. The place suited to him, 'prepared' for him, Mat. 25. 41; the place that, in the face of all warning, he had literally chosen, by choosing covetousness and lies, Col. 3. 5; 1 Co. 6. 9, 10; Mat. 26. 48; Re. 21. 8. C.
Reflections.—The most glorious and uncontrollable evidence is given us of the resurrection and exaltation of our once crucified Redeemer, that through him our faith and hope might be in God. Great numbers of disciples had frequent opportunities of seeing and conversing with him after his death, and could not possibly mistake him for any other; yea, saw him ascend, in our nature, to heaven, and heard the angel's attestation concerning him. Most gladdening truth! He has carried our nature to the right hand of God, and will in due time return, for our salvation, to judge the quick and the dead. And infinite is the mercy that in his absence he has, by promise and fulfilment, secured for us the presence and influence of the Holy Ghost to supply his room, and to own, assist, and comfort us in his work. Let us then, in a humble dependence on and patient waiting for him, avoid all carnal views of his kingdom, or curious prying into God's secrets. For there is need of great activity in this honourable work, and of preparation for his second coming, at which we must give our account. While the world rages in wickedness, let united devotions be the delight of our souls! The joint effectual fervent prayers of righteous men avail much. But O the inexpressibly terrible end of treacherous ministers! Their honour or wealth avail them but little in the day of God's wrath. Happy is it when God, even by terrible things in righteousness, degrades and punishes them for the confirmation of his truths, and supplies their room with such as are qualified and faithful. And great care ought to be taken that none but such be admitted. But if God testify his call and approbation, all ought to receive and regard them as his ambassadors. Ever solicitous for the welfare of the church, we ought to commit all her matters to Jesus, as her kind head and gracious Lord of all things. And never let us, by lot, appeal to God in matters ludicrous or trifling, but only in cases of great importance which cannot be otherwise decided, and that with solemn prayer for his direction and a ready submission to his decision.