Prologue
Here Luke summarizes his first book, the Gospel...
Here Luke summarizes his first book, the Gospel of Luke, which Luke had previously written to Theophilus (Luke 1:3). Theophilus is elsewhere called “most honorable” (Luke 1:3)—the title indicates that he was a person of very high social standing (cp. Acts 23:26; 24:2; 26:25). He was probably a benefactor or patron who assisted Luke with the expenses of publication or distribution of his work (see study note on Luke 1:3).
1In my first book, O Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach, 2until the day He was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles He had chosen. 3After His suffering, He presented Himself to them with many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a span of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
4And while they were gathered together,† He commanded them: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift the Father promised, which you have heard Me discuss. 5For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”†
The Ascension
(Mark 16:19–20; Luke 24:50–53)
Jesus’ ascent into heaven (see also Luke 24:50–53)...
Jesus’ ascent into heaven (see also Luke 24:50–53) took place on the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:12; Luke 24:50). It was Jesus’ last physical appearance—he was taken into heaven, where he will remain “until the time for the final restoration of all things” (Acts 3:21).
6So when they came together, they asked Him, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9After He had said this, they watched as He was taken up, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. 10They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.”
Matthias Replaces Judas
12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near the city, a Sabbath day’s journey away.†
While the apostles waited for the promised gift...
While the apostles waited for the promised gift of the Holy Spirit (1:4–5), the whole company of 120 disciples in Jerusalem engaged in earnest prayer (1:13–14) and then appointed an apostle to replace Judas Iscariot (1:15–26).
13When 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. 14With one accord they all continued in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
15In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (a gathering of about a hundred and twenty) and said,
the Scriptures had to be fulfilled: See 1:20.
the Scriptures had to be fulfilled: See 1:20.
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. 17He was one of our number and shared in this ministry.”
Matthew’s account (Matt 27:3–10) is somewhat different; the...
Matthew’s account (Matt 27:3–10) is somewhat different; the two can be harmonized by considering the priests’ purchase of the “Field of Blood” as acting in Judas’s name. In addition, Judas may have committed suicide by hanging, but he subsequently fell headfirst and his body split open, perhaps when the rope broke.
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. 19This became known to all who lived in Jerusalem, so they called that field in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
‘Let someone else take his position’: It was...
‘Let someone else take his position’: It was imperative that a replacement be found for Judas so that his position as the twelfth apostle would not remain empty. The new people of God, like Israel, were to have twelve designated and appointed leaders (see Matt 19:28; Luke 22:29–30).
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.’†
To qualify for nomination as an apostle, a...
To qualify for nomination as an apostle, a man had to have been with the other apostles the entire time of Jesus’ public ministry, from the time he was baptized by John until his ascension.
21Therefore 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, 22beginning 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.”
With prayer (1:14, 24) and humble dependence on...
- With prayer (1:14, 24) and humble dependence on God to reveal his will, the apostles cast lots, using an established method of finding God’s will (see Lev 16:8; Num 27:21; Deut 33:8; Josh 14:2; 18:3–10; Prov 16:33). Matthias was selected to replace Judas. After Pentecost, the Holy Spirit guided Jesus’ followers through dreams, visions, and prophecies instead of through lots (cp. Acts 2:17–18; 13:2; 16:7–10).
- you know every heart: See also 1 Sam 16:6–7; 1 Kgs 8:39; 1 Chr 28:9; 2 Chr 6:30; Pss 7:9; 44:21; Jer 11:20; John 2:24–25; Rev 2:23.
23So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24And they prayed, “Lord, You know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two You have chosen 25to take up this ministry and apostleship, which Judas abandoned to go to his rightful place.”
26Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias. So he was added to the eleven apostles.