Acts 1:26 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

NIV: Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

NASB: And they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.

CSB: Then they cast lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias and he was added to the eleven apostles.

NLT: Then they cast lots, and Matthias was selected to become an apostle with the other eleven.

KJV: And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

NKJV: And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

One hundred twenty Jesus-followers wait in an upper room in Jerusalem for the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5, 15). After prayer and consideration, they have identified two men, Joseph Barsabbas and Matthias, who are qualified to replace Judas Iscariot as one of the twelve apostles. Both men witnessed Jesus' ministry from His baptism to His resurrection (Acts 1:21–22). Now the group needs to know which one God has chosen.

The practice of casting lots was an honored tradition in Israel for determining the will of God. Unlike fortune telling or scrying, God ordained and directed the Urim and Thummim that were kept with the high priest (Leviticus 8:8). Lots were used often in the Old Testament, most importantly in dividing up the Promised Land to the twelve tribes (Joshua 18:6). In this case, the names of Joseph and Matthias are probably written on stones and placed in a jar. The jar is shaken until one of the stones comes out.

This is the last recorded case in the Bible of God's people using lots. Within days, the Holy Spirit will come upon this room and permanently dwell inside the hearts of the people (Acts 2:1–4). As Jesus promised, the Holy Spirit will guide Jesus-followers into truth; lots are no longer needed (John 16:13).

There is great discussion as to whether God really wanted Matthias to be the twelfth apostle or if he was a placeholder until Paul was converted. Everything points to Matthias. Although Paul saw Jesus after the resurrection (1 Corinthians 9:1), he did not witness Jesus' baptism or travel with Him during His ministry, as Peter stipulated (Acts 1:21–22). There were many godly men and women in that room, and thousands more came after God sent the Holy Spirit. Each of them had specific roles, chosen by God (Ephesians 2:10). Matthias' role is that of an apostle.

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.