ACT 1:12-26

Matthias Replaces Judas

12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem — a Sabbath day's journey away. [1:13] And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room where they were staying: Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. [1:14] These all were persisting steadfastly in prayer with one accord — together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus and his brothers. [1:15] And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers — a crowd of about one hundred and twenty names gathered together — and said: [1:16] 'Men, brothers — it was necessary for the Scripture to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit foretold through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. [1:17] For he was numbered among us and received his divinely allotted portion in this service. [1:18] Now this man acquired a field from the wages of unrighteousness, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his intestines poured out. [1:19] And it became known to all the residents of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama — that is, Field of Blood. [1:20] For it is written in the Book of Psalms: Let his habitation become desolate, and let no one dwell in it — and: Let another take his overseeing position. [1:21] It is necessary, therefore, that one of the men who traveled with us during all the time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, [1:22] beginning from the baptism of John until the day he was taken up from us — one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.' [1:23] And they put forward two: Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. [1:24] And they prayed and said: 'You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen [1:25] to take the place in this humble service and commissioned role from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.' [1:26] And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was added to the eleven commissioned ones.

In the world it was spoken into

In the aftermath of Jesus’ ascension, the disciples returned to Jerusalem, gathering in an upper room—a space likely familiar from earlier gatherings, such as the Last Supper. The mention of Olivet, a Sabbath day’s journey from Jerusalem, situates their movement within Jewish halakhic norms, emphasizing their continued observance of Jewish customs. The group included the eleven remaining apostles, along with women, Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers, reflecting the communal nature of early Jesus-followers. Their steadfast devotion to prayer and supplication underscores their unity , a term denoting shared purpose and harmony, crucial for a group navigating the loss of their leader and the betrayal of Judas. The decision to replace Judas by casting lots reflects a Jewish practice of seeking divine guidance, as seen in the Hebrew Scriptures. This act also highlights the restoration of the Twelve, a symbolic number tied to Israel’s tribes, signaling continuity with Jewish identity and the inauguration of a renewed community.

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How other translations render this

ACT 1:12

KJV: Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey.
BSB: Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near the city, a Sabbath dayʼs journey away.
Koinōnos: Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem — a Sabbath day's journey away.

ACT 1:13

KJV: And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
BSB: When 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.
Koinōnos: And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room where they were staying: Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James.

ACT 1:14

KJV: These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
BSB: With one accord they all continued in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
Koinōnos: These all were persisting steadfastly in prayer with one accord — together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus and his brothers.

ACT 1:15

KJV: And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)
BSB: In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (a gathering of about a hundred and twenty) and said,
Koinōnos: And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers — a crowd of about one hundred and twenty names gathered together — and said:

ACT 1:16

KJV: Men and brethren, this 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.
BSB: “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.
Koinōnos: Men, brothers — it was necessary for the Scripture to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit foretold through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.

ACT 1:17

KJV: For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
BSB: He was one of our number and shared in this ministry.”
Koinōnos: For he was numbered among us and received his divinely allotted portion in this service.

ACT 1:18

KJV: Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
BSB: (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.
Koinōnos: Now this man acquired a field from the wages of unrighteousness, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his intestines poured out.

ACT 1:19

KJV: 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.
BSB: This became known to all who lived in Jerusalem, so they called that field in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
Koinōnos: And it became known to all the residents of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama — that is, Field of Blood.

ACT 1:20

KJV: For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.
BSB: “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.’
Koinōnos: For it is written in the Book of Psalms: Let his habitation become desolate, and let no one dwell in it — and: Let another take his overseeing position.

ACT 1:21

KJV: Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
BSB: Therefore 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,
Koinōnos: It is necessary, therefore, that one of the men who traveled with us during all the time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

ACT 1:22

KJV: Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
BSB: beginning from Johnʼs baptism until the day Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”
Koinōnos: beginning from the baptism of John until the day he was taken up from us — one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.

ACT 1:23

KJV: And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
BSB: So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.
Koinōnos: And they put forward two: Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias.

ACT 1:24

KJV: And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
BSB: And they prayed, “Lord, You know everyoneʼs heart. Show us which of these two You have chosen
Koinōnos: And they prayed and said: 'You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen

ACT 1:25

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.
BSB: to take up this ministry and apostleship, which Judas abandoned to go to his rightful place.”
Koinōnos: to take the place in this humble service and commissioned role from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.

ACT 1:26

KJV: And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
BSB: Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias. So he was added to the eleven apostles.
Koinōnos: And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was added to the eleven commissioned ones.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

ACT 1:14

steadfastly continuing:The word translated 'steadfastly continuing' implies a persistent, unwavering devotion or adherence to something, often in the face of difficulty. It suggests a strong commitment that doesn't easily falter.
with one accord:The term 'with one accord' describes a profound unity of mind and purpose, suggesting that everyone involved was acting with a single, shared will and passion.

ACT 1:17

share:The word translated 'share' here literally refers to a 'lot' or 'allotment,' often determined by casting lots. It implies a divinely appointed portion or role, not just a general part.

ACT 1:25

ministry:The word translated 'ministry' emphasizes humble service, often involving practical tasks and attendance to others' needs, rather than a position of authority or prestige.