Session 3 The Waiting Company, Judas, and Matthias Numbered with the Eleven
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Before You Read
Big idea: Acts 1:12-26 shows the apostles returning to Jerusalem in obedience, the waiting company continuing in prayer, and the Jerusalem company dealing with Judas's vacancy before Pentecost.
How to use this guide: Read each KJV verse first. Then mark what the verse says before deciding what it means doctrinally.
Four words to keep watching
- Returned - The apostles obey the command to wait in Jerusalem.
- Continued - The waiting company remains together in prayer before Pentecost.
- Scripture - Peter treats Judas's fall and replacement as matters already addressed in the Psalms.
- Witness - The replacement apostle must be a witness of the resurrection and must have accompanied the Lord's earthly ministry.
- Numbered - The passage restores the apostolic number before Pentecost; it does not introduce Paul's later apostleship.
A simple right-division reminder: Acts 1 is still before Pentecost, before Saul's conversion, and before the revelation of the mystery through Paul. Matthias belongs to the twelve-apostle, kingdom-witness setting.
Acts 1:12
Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.
What does the passage say?
- The apostles returned to Jerusalem.
- They came from the mount called Olivet.
- Luke notes that Olivet was a sabbath day's journey from Jerusalem.
Words to notice
- Then returned - They obeyed the command of Acts 1:4.
- Jerusalem - The city remains central at this point in Acts.
- Mount called Olivet - The ascension is tied to a real location.
- A sabbath day's journey - A short, recognized distance in Jewish practice.
Cross-references worth marking
- Luke 24:52-53 - After the ascension they returned to Jerusalem with great joy.
- Zechariah 14:4 - The mount of Olives is connected to the Lord's future return.
- Acts 1:4 - Jesus had commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem.
Do not miss
- The apostles are not leaving Jerusalem to begin a Gentile mission. They return to Jerusalem because the Lord told them to wait there.
Acts 1:13
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.
What does the passage say?
- The apostles entered the city and went to an upper room.
- Luke lists the eleven apostles.
- Judas Iscariot is no longer included.
- The group is waiting before Matthias is chosen in Acts 1:15-26.
Words to notice
- Upper room - A place of gathering and lodging.
- Peter...Judas the brother of James - Luke names the remaining apostles.
- Simon Zelotes - Simon the Zealot.
- Judas the brother of James - The text simply says "Judas of James." The KJV supplies "brother," while the ESV and others supply "son." The "brother" tradition goes well back into early English translation. If "brother" is correct, it raises the possibility that James the son of Alphaeus and his brother Jude wrote the New Testament books of James and Jude, though there is no tradition supporting that suggestion.
Cross-references worth marking
- Luke 6:13-16 - Luke's earlier list of the twelve.
- Matthew 10:2-4 - Matthew's apostolic list.
- John 14:22 - Judas, not Iscariot, asks the Lord a question.
- Acts 1:26 - Matthias will be numbered with the eleven apostles.
Do not miss
- The named group is still the kingdom-apostle company. Paul is not present, and the body of Christ is not being revealed in this room.
Acts 1:14
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
What does the passage say?
- The apostles continued together with one accord.
- They continued in prayer and supplication.
- Women were present with them.
- Mary the mother of Jesus was present.
- Jesus' brethren were present.
Words to notice
- Continued - They remained steadfast during the waiting period.
- One accord - Shared purpose and unity.
- Prayer and supplication - Dependence on God while waiting for the promised provision.
- His brethren - The Lord's brothers, who had not always believed during His earthly ministry, are now with the believing company.
Cross-references worth marking
- John 7:5 - Jesus' brethren did not believe on Him during His earthly ministry.
- 1 Corinthians 15:7 - The risen Christ was seen of James.
- Acts 2:1 - They are together in one accord when Pentecost comes.
- Acts 4:24 - The early Jerusalem believers lift up their voice to God with one accord.
Do not miss
- Mary is present among the waiting believers, but she is not presented as an object of prayer, a mediator, or the head of the group. The text simply places her with the company waiting on God.
Acts 1:15
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,)
What does the passage say?
- Peter stands up during the waiting days between the ascension and Pentecost.
- He speaks in the midst of the disciples.
- Luke notes that the gathered company numbered about one hundred and twenty.
Words to notice
- In those days - The waiting period just described in Acts 1:12-14.
- Peter stood up - Peter acts as a spokesman among the Jerusalem company.
- Disciples - The larger believing group, not only the eleven apostles.
- Number of names - A way of counting the gathered persons.
Cross-references worth marking
- Acts 1:13-14 - The apostles and other believers were gathered in prayer.
- Luke 22:31-32 - The Lord had spoken to Peter about strengthening his brethren.
- Acts 2:14 - Peter will again stand with the eleven and speak at Pentecost.
Do not miss
- Peter's leadership here is real, but the passage does not make him the head of a worldwide church. He speaks in a Jerusalem, kingdom-apostle setting before Pentecost.
Acts 1:16
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.
What does the passage say?
- Peter addresses the gathered believers as "Men and brethren."
- He says Scripture had to be fulfilled.
- He says the Holy Ghost spoke by David.
- The Scripture concerned Judas, who guided those who arrested Jesus.
Words to notice
- This scripture - Peter will quote the Psalms in verse 20.
- Must needs - Divine necessity after Judas had committed the treason. Once Judas placed himself in the traitor's role, the Scripture could not fail.
- Holy Ghost by the mouth of David - David wrote, but the Holy Ghost spoke through him.
- Guide - Judas led the arresting party to Jesus.
Cross-references worth marking
- Psalm 41:9 - A familiar friend lifts up his heel against the Messiah.
- Luke 22:47-48 - Judas betrays the Lord with a kiss.
- John 13:18 - Jesus connects Judas's betrayal with Scripture.
- 2 Peter 1:21 - Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Do not miss
- Peter speaks after Judas had betrayed the Lord. Judas put himself into the place described by Psalm 41:9, and now the Davidic enemy passages necessarily apply to him.
- Judas was not a victim of prophecy. He became "guide" to the arresting party, and Scripture reads his treason for what it was.
Acts 1:17
For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
What does the passage say?
- Judas had been numbered with the apostles.
- Judas had obtained part of their ministry.
- His fall is serious because he held a real place among the twelve.
Words to notice
- Numbered with us - Judas was counted among the apostolic company.
- Part - A share or portion.
- This ministry - The apostolic ministry given to the twelve.
Cross-references worth marking
- Luke 6:13-16 - Judas Iscariot is listed among the twelve.
- John 6:70-71 - Jesus knew Judas would betray Him.
- Matthew 10:1-4 - Judas was included in the apostolic listing and mission.
Do not miss
- Judas was not an outsider pretending to be near the apostles. He held a real numbered place, and his fall left a real vacancy.
Acts 1:18
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.
What does the passage say?
- Judas is connected with a field purchased with the reward of iniquity.
- His end is described in graphic terms.
- The verse records shame, judgment, and public disgrace connected to his betrayal.
Words to notice
- Purchased a field - Judas is associated with the field bought with the betrayal money.
- Reward of iniquity - The wages of his sinful betrayal.
- Falling headlong - A violent fall.
- Burst asunder - A graphic description of his body breaking open.
Cross-references worth marking
- Matthew 26:14-16 - Judas agrees to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.
- Matthew 27:3-10 - The chief priests use the returned money to buy the potter's field.
- Zechariah 11:12-13 - Thirty pieces of silver and the potter are prophetically connected.
Do not miss
- Acts 1 and Matthew 27 are not enemies. Matthew emphasizes Judas returning the money and the priests buying the field; Acts connects Judas with the field because it was bought with the reward of his iniquity.
Acts 1:19
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.
What does the passage say?
- Judas's end and the field became known in Jerusalem.
- The field received the name Aceldama.
- Luke explains the meaning: "The field of blood."
Words to notice
- All the dwellers at Jerusalem - This was publicly known locally.
- Proper tongue - The local language of the Jerusalem people.
- Aceldama - The field's name.
- Field of blood - A name tied to Judas's betrayal and death.
Cross-references worth marking
- Matthew 27:8 - The field was called "The field of blood."
- Acts 1:12 - The company is still in the Jerusalem setting.
- Acts 2:5 - Jerusalem is full of Jews from many nations at Pentecost.
Do not miss
- Luke keeps the reader in Jerusalem. The setting is local, Jewish, and public before the Pentecost witness begins.
Acts 1:20
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.
What does the passage say?
- Peter quotes the book of Psalms.
- One Psalm speaks of a desolate habitation.
- Another Psalm speaks of another taking the office.
- Peter sees both Judas's judgment and Judas's replacement in Scripture.
Words to notice
- It is written - Peter appeals to written Scripture as authority.
- Habitation - Dwelling place.
- Desolate - Empty, abandoned, without inhabitant.
- Bishoprick - Office, oversight, or charge.
Cross-references worth marking
- Psalm 69:25 - "Let their habitation be desolate."
- Psalm 109:8 - "Let another take his office."
- Luke 24:44-45 - The risen Lord opened the apostles' understanding of the Psalms.
- Acts 13:33-35 - Paul later also reasons from the Psalms concerning Christ.
Do not miss
- Peter is not inventing a replacement plan by human preference. He argues from Scripture, especially the Psalms, which Christ had recently opened to the apostles' understanding.
Acts 1:21
Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
What does the passage say?
- Peter gives the necessary qualification for Judas's replacement.
- The man must have accompanied the apostolic company.
- He must have been present during the Lord Jesus's earthly ministry among them.
Words to notice
- Wherefore - Because Scripture says another must take the office.
- These men - The candidate must come from among the qualified men present.
- Companied with us - He must have shared the Lord's ministry path with the apostles.
- Went in and out among us - A phrase for the Lord's public movement and ministry among them.
Cross-references worth marking
- John 15:27 - The apostles could bear witness because they had been with Christ from the beginning.
- Luke 8:1-3 - Others traveled with the Lord and the twelve during His ministry.
- Acts 10:37-41 - Peter later describes the witness beginning from John's baptism and ending with the resurrection appearances.
Do not miss
- This qualification cannot be applied to Paul. Paul's apostleship is real, but it is not this kind of apostleship. Paul is later called by the risen, ascended Christ from heaven.
Acts 1:22
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.
What does the passage say?
- The candidate's experience must reach from John's baptism to the ascension.
- One man must become a witness with the apostles.
- The appointment or presentation of the candidates comes in verse 23.
Words to notice
- Beginning from the baptism of John - The required witness period begins with Israel's kingdom-preparation ministry.
- Taken up from us - The ascension of Acts 1:9.
- Must - Necessity tied to the Scripture in verse 20.
- Ordained - Not church ordination and not an eternal decree. It simply means the qualified man must become a witness with the apostles.
- Witness with us - The replacement joins the apostolic witness company.
Cross-references worth marking
- Matthew 3:1-6 - John's baptism ministry in Israel.
- Acts 1:8 - The apostles are commissioned as witnesses.
- Acts 2:32 - Peter says, "whereof we all are witnesses."
- 1 Corinthians 15:8 - Paul distinguishes his later appearance of Christ as "one born out of due time."
Do not miss
- The replacement is not chosen because the apostles needed an administrator. He is chosen to be a resurrection witness with the apostolic company.
Acts 1:23
And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
What does the passage say?
- The gathered company appoints two qualified men for consideration.
- One is Joseph, also called Barsabas and surnamed Justus.
- The other is Matthias.
Words to notice
- Appointed two - Two men met the qualifications Peter named.
- Joseph called Barsabas - A man known by more than one name.
- Justus - A surname, likely a Latin name.
- Matthias - The man who will be numbered with the eleven.
Cross-references worth marking
- Acts 15:22 - Another Judas called Barsabas appears later, though the text does not say he is the same family.
- Colossians 4:11 - "Justus" appears as a surname elsewhere, though not for this same man.
- Acts 1:26 - Matthias is chosen by lot.
Do not miss
- The text does not criticize Joseph or praise Matthias by personal biography. The issue is qualification and the Lord's choice.
Acts 1:24
And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
What does the passage say?
- The company prays before the decision is made.
- They address the Lord as the One who knows all hearts.
- They ask the Lord to show which of the two He has chosen.
Words to notice
- They prayed - The choice is made in dependence on God.
- Knowest the hearts - God knows what the gathered company cannot see.
- Shew - They ask for revelation of the Lord's choice.
- Thou hast chosen - They do not ask God to bless their preference; they ask Him to reveal His.
Cross-references worth marking
- 1 Samuel 16:7 - The Lord looketh on the heart.
- Jeremiah 17:10 - The Lord searches the heart.
- Luke 6:13 - The Lord chose the original twelve.
- Acts 15:8 - God knows the hearts.
Do not miss
- The prayer is not careless. The company recognizes that only the Lord can identify the man He has chosen for this apostolic place.
Acts 1:25
That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
What does the passage say?
- The chosen man is to take part in the ministry and apostleship.
- Judas fell from that place by transgression.
- Judas went to "his own place."
Words to notice
- Ministry and apostleship - The apostolic service connected to the twelve.
- Transgression - Judas's fall was sin, not mere misfortune.
- Fell - He left the place he had been given.
- His own place - A sobering phrase pointing to Judas's proper destination after betrayal.
Cross-references worth marking
- John 17:12 - Judas is called "the son of perdition."
- Acts 1:17 - Judas had obtained part of this ministry.
- Romans 1:5 - Paul later speaks of his own apostleship, but in a different calling and setting.
Do not miss
- Judas's fall does not make Matthias a temporary placeholder until Paul arrives. The passage says Matthias is chosen to take the vacated part of this ministry and apostleship.
Acts 1:26
And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
What does the passage say?
- The company gives forth lots.
- The lot falls on Matthias.
- Matthias is numbered with the eleven apostles.
Words to notice
- Lots - An Old Testament method used to discern a decision under God's providence.
- Fell upon Matthias - Matthias is the selected man.
- Numbered with the eleven apostles - Matthias is counted with the apostolic company, restoring the number to twelve.
Cross-references worth marking
- Proverbs 16:33 - "The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD."
- Leviticus 16:8 - Lots are used in Israel's worship.
- Joshua 18:10 - Lots are used in Israel's land division.
- Matthew 19:28 - The twelve apostles are connected with twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
- Revelation 21:14 - The wall of New Jerusalem has the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Do not miss
- Luke gives no hint that Matthias was a mistake. He was numbered with the eleven before Pentecost. Paul later becomes an apostle by a different calling, not by replacing Matthias.
Text And Translation Helps
- Acts 1:12 uses "a sabbath day's journey," a Jewish distance expression that confirms the nearness of Olivet to Jerusalem.
- In Acts 1:13, "Judas the brother of James" can also be understood as "Judas the son of James" depending on how the relationship is supplied in English. The important point is that this is not Judas Iscariot.
- In Acts 1:14, the KJV includes "and supplication." Some critical-text translations omit those words and simply say they were devoting themselves to prayer. Either reading leaves the same scene: the company is waiting together before God.
- In Acts 1:15, the KJV reads "disciples." Many critical-text translations read "brethren" or "brothers." The difference does not change the scene: Peter speaks among the gathered believers in Jerusalem.
- In Acts 1:20, "bishoprick" is older English for an office or oversight. Do not read later church-office systems back into the word before seeing the apostolic vacancy in context.
- In Acts 1:25, the KJV says "part of this ministry and apostleship." Some modern translations read more like "place in this ministry and apostleship." Either wording keeps the same main point: Judas's apostolic place is being filled.
- No major Textus Receptus vs critical text issue in Acts 1:12-26 changes the doctrine of the passage.
- KJV phrases worth remembering:
- "returned they unto Jerusalem" - obedience to the Lord's command.
- "continued with one accord" - faithful waiting, not self-directed activity.
- "this scripture must needs have been fulfilled" - after Judas's treason, his fall is read through Scripture.
- "his bishoprick let another take" - Scripture supports replacing Judas.
- "a witness with us of his resurrection" - the replacement must join the apostolic resurrection witness.
- "thou hast chosen" - the company seeks the Lord's choice.
- "numbered with the eleven apostles" - Matthias is counted with the apostolic company.
Common Ideas To Test
- "The apostles were wrong to choose Matthias."
- Test it by Acts 1:20, 24, and 26: Peter appeals to Scripture, the company prays for the Lord's choice, and Luke says Matthias was numbered with the eleven.
- "Paul was supposed to be the true twelfth apostle."
- Test it by Acts 1:21-22: the replacement had to accompany the Lord's earthly ministry from John's baptism to the ascension. Paul did not meet that qualification.
- "Casting lots proves the apostles were spiritually immature."
- Test it by Proverbs 16:33 and the pre-Pentecost setting. The lot belonged to Israel's scriptural world, and the company prayed for the Lord's choice.
- "Judas was only a tragic victim."
- Test it by Acts 1:16-20 and 25: Judas became the guide to the arresting party, and his act is called transgression.
- "Mary is central to the authority of the early church."
- Test it by Acts 1:14: Mary is present with the waiting company, but no authority or mediating role is assigned to her.
- "The believers in the upper room were launching the body of Christ."
- Test it by Acts 1:12-14: they are in Jerusalem, waiting for a promised prophetic event, before Paul's conversion and before the revelation of the mystery.
Session Summary
- The apostles returned from Olivet to Jerusalem in obedience to the Lord's command.
- The eleven apostles were gathered in an upper room.
- The company continued with one accord in prayer and supplication while waiting for the Father's promise.
- Peter stands among about one hundred and twenty disciples during the waiting days before Pentecost.
- Judas's betrayal and vacancy are explained from Scripture, especially the Psalms.
- Judas had held a real part in the apostolic ministry, and his fall left a real vacancy.
- The replacement had to have accompanied the Lord from John's baptism to the ascension.
- The purpose of the replacement was resurrection witness with the apostolic company.
- Matthias is chosen after prayer and numbered with the eleven apostles.
For Long-Term Study
Mark these themes as Acts unfolds
- Peter's leadership in Jerusalem.
- Scripture interpreting events.
- The twelve-apostle witness to Israel.
- The resurrection as the central apostolic testimony.
- The difference between Matthias's apostleship and Paul's later apostleship.
- Jerusalem's continuing importance before Israel's national rejection becomes clear in Acts.
- Prayerful waiting before promised power.
Questions to keep asking
- Who is speaking?
- To whom are they speaking?
- Is the passage explaining prophecy, revealing mystery, or recording transition?
- Has Paul received and begun proclaiming later revelation yet?