Acts 1:25 - Printer Friendly

ESV: to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”

NIV: to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.'

NASB: to occupy this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.'

CSB: to take the place in this apostolic ministry that Judas left to go where he belongs."

NLT: as an apostle to replace Judas in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs.'

KJV: That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

NKJV: to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.”

The spiritual explanation for Judas is complicated. Jesus knew from the beginning Judas would betray Him (John 6:70). Judas did not commit the act of betrayal until he was possessed by Satan (John 13:27). But Judas had already demonstrated his greed (John 12:1–6). And he coordinated to betray Jesus a week before Satan pushed him to complete the act (Matthew 26:14–16). So, while Judas was always destined to be the "son of destruction" (John 17:12), it was always Judas' choice to turn aside and betray Jesus.

Judas was a part of Jesus' ministry on earth. He did follow Jesus with the other eleven for about three years, and he went off with them to heal, cast out demons, and preach Jesus' message (Mark 6:7–13). Jesus had bigger plans for the apostles, however. He promised that the Twelve will "sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel" (Matthew 19:28) and that their names will be on the twelve foundations of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:14).

The ministry Peter is talking about, however, is to be Jesus' witness to Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). "Witness" is from the Greek root word martys. It refers to someone who will vow to what he has seen. Martys is also the origin of our word "martyr." A witness is someone who is willing to die in the mission of telling what they know about Jesus. According to church tradition, all the apostles except John will be martyred for their faith, including Judas' replacement.

"Take the place" is from the Greek root word lambanō. It doesn't mean just to fill an empty position but to take hold of something and be identified with it. Judas was unable to fully take hold of Jesus and be identified as his faithful disciple. "Turned aside" is from the Greek root word parabainō which in other passages is translated "transgress." It means to pass by, neglect, or abandon. Judas abandoned the place he was to have by Jesus' side. Instead, his "place" became the cemetery the chief priests purchased with his thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 27:3–10).

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.