For
it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his habitation be made desolate. Let no one dwell therein;’ and, ‘Let another take his office.’ “Of the men therefore who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John, to the day that he was received up from us, of these one must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” They put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. They prayed, and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two you have chosen to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place.” They drew lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Acts 1:20-26
Acts 1 [15.] In these days, Peter stood up in the middle of the disciples (and the number of names was about one hundred twenty), and said, “Brothers, it was necessary that this Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to those who took Jesus. For he was numbered with us, and received his portion in this ministry. Now this man obtained a field with the reward for his wickedness, and falling headlong, his body burst open, and all his intestines gushed out. It became known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem that in their language that field was called ‘Akeldama,’ that is, ‘The field of blood.’
Acts 1 [20.] For it is written in the book of Psalms,
‘Let his habitation be made desolate.
Let no one dwell therein;’
and,
‘Let another take his office.’
Acts 1 [21.] “Of the men therefore who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John, to the day that he was received up from us, of these one must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”
Acts 1 [23.] They put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. They prayed, and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two you have chosen to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place.” They drew lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Acts 2 [1.] Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all with one accord in one place. Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. Tongues like fire appeared and were distributed to them, and one sat on each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak.
Meaning:
Peter has explained that the betrayal by Judas fulfilled Scripture (Acts 1:16-17). Now he quotes the psalms that speak of the traitor’s place being emptied and filled, sets out what kind of man must take it, and leads the believers in prayer. The choice falls on Matthias, and the twelve are complete again before the Holy Spirit is poured out at Pentecost.
- “Let his habitation be made desolate”
Peter joins two psalms. The first line comes from Psalm 69:25, where David prays against those who gave him “vinegar to drink” in his thirst: “Let their habitation be desolate. Let no one dwell in their tents.” The Gospels saw this psalm fulfilled in the sufferings of Jesus (John 19:28-29). The second comes from Psalm 109:8: “Let his days be few. Let another take his office.”
Peter applies these words to Judas. The field bought with the reward of his wickedness had become a place of death (Acts 1:18-19). His “office” among the twelve was empty and had to be filled.
- “Of the men therefore who have accompanied us”
The new apostle had to meet two conditions. First, he must have been with Jesus through his whole public ministry, “beginning from the baptism of John” to the ascension. Jesus had said to the apostles, “You will also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning” (John 15:27). Second, he must have seen the risen Lord, so that he could become “a witness with us of his resurrection.” The resurrection stood at the centre of the apostles’ message.
The number twelve mattered. It recalled the twelve tribes of Israel and showed that Jesus was gathering a renewed people of God. He had promised the apostles that “you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matthew 19:28). John later saw a city whose wall had “twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb” (Revelation 21:14).
- “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men”
Two men qualified, Joseph Barsabbas and Matthias. The believers did not rely on appearances. They remembered what God told Samuel: “man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7; compare Jeremiah 17:9-10). They asked the Lord to “show which one of these two you have chosen,” because Jesus had chosen the first apostles himself (Luke 6:13).
- “They drew lots for them”
Casting lots was a familiar way in Israel of leaving a decision to God. The land was divided by lot (Numbers 26:55). Proverbs says, “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from Yahweh” (Proverbs 16:33). The lot fell on Matthias, “and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.”
This is the last time lots are used in the New Testament. After Pentecost the church sought guidance through prayer and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Christians have discussed whether the choice of Matthias was right. Some suggest the apostles acted too quickly and that Paul was the Lord’s intended replacement. Most, noting that Luke records the choice without criticism and later speaks of “the twelve” (Acts 6:2), conclude that God answered their prayer. Matthias is not named again, but faithful service does not need fame.
The Significance of Acts 1:20-26
- Seeking God’s choice
The believers combined careful thought with dependence on God. They set out clear qualifications from Scripture and experience, and then prayed for the Lord to show his will. Wise decisions in the church today follow the same pattern.
- Witnesses of the resurrection
The heart of an apostle’s task was to witness that Jesus rose from the dead. Every believer shares in that witness, telling others what God has done in Christ.
Cross-References:
Proverbs 16:33: "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from Yahweh." God rules over the lot.
1 Samuel 16:7: "man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart." The Lord who knows the heart.
Conclusion: Peter applied two psalms of David to Judas and showed that his office must pass to another. The new apostle had to have been with Jesus from John’s baptism to the ascension and to be a witness of the resurrection. After prayer to the Lord who knows every heart, the lot fell on Matthias, and the twelve were complete again for the coming of the Spirit.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible