Acts 1:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry."

NIV: He was one of our number and shared in our ministry."

NASB: For he was counted among us and received his share in this ministry.'

CSB: For he was one of our number and shared in this ministry."

NLT: Judas was one of us and shared in the ministry with us.'

KJV: For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.

NKJV: for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.”

Peter is recounting the story of Judas Iscariot to the group of 120 Jesus-followers who are in Jerusalem, waiting for the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5, 15). Judas betrayed Jesus to the chief priests and elders (Matthew 26:47–56), but he betrayed his fellow disciples, as well. He was "numbered among" them, meaning he was included in all the rollcalls of the Twelve disciples (Mark 3:16–19; Luke 6:13–16). He joined in their ministry when Jesus sent the Twelve out to teach, heal, and expel demons (Mark 6:7–13). He was included in the Twelve who would receive thrones in Jesus' kingdom and the responsibility to judge Israel (Matthew 19:28). Ironically, Isaiah pointed out that Jesus was "numbered with the transgressors" (Isaiah 53:12)—a reference to His death, but foreshadowed by His association with Judas.

But the Gospels also hint at Judas' serious character flaw. Six days before the crucifixion, Mary of Bethany anointed Jesus' feet with sweet ointment and wiped them with her hair. It was the day that the families first anointed the lambs they'd chosen to sacrifice for Passover. Judas, however, completely missed the symbolism. All he could think of was the three hundred denarii the perfume could have been sold for. In his grumblings, he mentioned the money should have gone to the poor. In reality, he held the disciples' money, and he wanted it for himself (John 12:1–8). In retrospect, it is little wonder that, days later, he sold Jesus to the Jewish leaders for silver (Matthew 26:14–16).

Peter knows that Judas' betrayal was predetermined by God, even planned by God (John 17:12). But he also acknowledges the personal side of the issue: how the people sitting in that room are affected. God's plan is perfect, but rarely easy; it's important to allow ourselves permission to feel that hurt, and to acknowledge it.

Acts 1:12–26 records what happens when the Jesus-followers pray. Jesus has ascended (Acts 1:9). The Holy Spirit is coming (Acts 1:5). The apostles don't really know what these things mean, but they know where to start. They join the other Jesus-followers in Jerusalem and start praying. The next order of business is to find a replacement for Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus (Matthew 26:14–16, 47–50) and then hanged himself (Matthew 27:3–10). The remaining eleven apostles don't know this yet, but their third task will literally be to change the world.

Acts 1 sets the stage for the establishment of the church and the spread of the gospel. Jesus is alive but if the Holy Spirit is to come Jesus must ascend into heaven (John 16:7). The disciples obey His last instructions and wait in Jerusalem. Peter uses Old Testament Scripture to show the group of about 120 they must choose a disciple to replace Judas. The man must have been with them from Jesus' baptism to His ascension. Joseph Barsabbas and Matthias are put forward and, in the last use of the lots found in the Bible, Matthias is chosen.

Acts 1 is the second letter Luke wrote for Theophilus. In it, he narrates the transition between Jesus' ministry as described in the Gospel of Luke and the development and spread of the church. The disciples have received a temporary indwelling of the Holy Spirit (John 20:22), and Jesus has spent forty days reassuring His faithful followers (Acts 1:3), appearing to over five hundred in that short time (1 Corinthians 15:6). Now, the disciples complete some administrative-like tasks before the Holy Spirit can begin the ministry of the church on Pentecost (Acts 2).

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.