Commentary on the Book of Acts

By Bob Myhan

Chapter One, Part Three

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey.

Being assured of this fact they decide to return to the city to await the promise of the Holy Spirit, as Jesus had instructed them. While Luke had previously written, in his gospel, that the ascension took place in Bethany, he here reports that it took place on the Mount of Olives. This is not Luke contradicting himself, for Bethany is “on the Southeast slope of the Mount of Olives” (The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia).

13 And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James.

It may be of interest to the reader that, in each of the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) the names of the original apostles are given in a different order but are always arranged in three distinct groups. Peter is always listed first, followed by Andrew, James and John—in some order. The second group always includes Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew. The final four are always—again, in some order—Simon the Zealot, Judas the son of James (who is also called Lebbaeus Thaddaeus) and Judas Iscariot. The betrayer of our Lord is mentioned last in every list that includes him, and justly so.

The remaining eleven apostles seem to have scattered soon after the crucifixion. This had been prophesied (Zechariah 13:7; Matthew 26:31). Peter and John were in the same place on the morning of the resurrection but the others were apparently not with them (John 20:2). And, when they had joined the others that evening, Thomas was missing (John 20:24). Now, however, they are together again, awaiting the promise of the Holy Spirit.

14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

The women are probably Mary Magdalene; Mary the mother of James; Joanna, the wife of Chuza; and Susanna (Luke 8:1-3; 24:10). Jesus’ brothers were James, Joseph, Simon and Judas (Matthew 13:55). They did not believe in Him prior to His crucifixion (John 7:3-5; 19:26-27) but had become believers after the resurrection. It is very likely that it was His brothers, James and Jude, who wrote the epistles so named. It is also likely that His brother, James, was a prominent member of the Jerusalem congregation (Galatians 1:18-19; Acts15:13-14; 21:17-18).

15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said,

This was not all of the disciples, for Jesus had been seen by over 500 brethren after the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:6). But those gathered together at this time and place numbered 120. This took place at some point during the ten days between the Lord’s ascension and the Day of Pentecost, or Feast of Weeks, which was always fifty days (seven weeks plus one day) after the Passover Sabbath (Leviticus 23:15-22). It was also called the Day of Pentecost (Greek for fiftieth) because it occurred on the fiftieth day following the Passover Sabbath. This would, of necessity, always be on the first day of the week—our Sunday.

16 "Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus;

This must have been among the things Jesus had explained to them when “He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures” (Luke 24:45). 

When David was writing the Psalms, it was the Holy Spirit speaking because David wrote “by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16), being “moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21).

Though “Jesus knew from the beginning … who would betray Him” (John 6:64), Judas acted of his own free will. His actions were, indeed, prophesied but they were his actions nonetheless.

17 for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry."

Judas had been an apostle, just as had the other eleven. He had been given “authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness” (Matthew 10:1-4). He had been as saved as a man could be under the Old Covenant.

18 (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out.

Those who refuse to accept the Bible as the word of God often look for contradictions within the biblical text. They so badly want to find a contradiction that they assume admittedly difficult passages are impossible to harmonize. And, when defenders of the Bible’s inspiration suggest ways in which the difficulties might be resolved, scoffers accuse them of trying to make the Bible mean what they want it to mean. The truth is no honest man will say he has found a contradiction unless and until he has tried to reconcile the passages in question. An example of this is the case before us—the fate of Judas, the betrayer of Christ. Matthew tells us, “he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself” (27:5), while Luke* says, he “purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out.” To claim these statements contradict one another is to claim that if one is true the other cannot be true. But is that the case?

Consider, first, “the wages of iniquity.” Did Judas throw the pieces of silver down in the temple or did he use them to purchase a field? Matthew answers this question, at least in part when he reports, “the chief priests … consulted together and bought with them the potter's field” (27:6-7). It is certainly possible that they bought the field in the name of Judas Iscariot, in which case it would become a part of his estate. Thus, it could legitimately be stated that he “purchased a field with the wages of iniquity.” Therefore it cannot legitimately be said that there is a contradiction between the two on this point.

Consider, next, whether it could be true that he “went and hanged himself” and, also, that, “falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out.” It should be noted that neither Matthew nor Luke reports the actual cause of Judas’ death; Matthew does not say that he died as a direct result of hanging and Luke does not say that he died from having burst open in the middle. It is certainly possible that he died by hanging and that the rope later broke, or was cut, causing him to fall headlong and burst open in the middle. No one can deny that this is possible, however implausible he may think it to be. Thus, there is no contradiction between the two on this point, either.

19 And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.)

It is also claimed by some that Matthew and Luke contradict one another as to why the field came to be called, “Akel Dama, that is, Field of blood.” But both relate that the field was bought with “blood money,” though Luke does not use that particular phrase. Instead, he uses the phrase, “the wages of iniquity. “ But the iniquity under consideration is the betrayal for which he was paid. Thus, again, there is no contradiction.

20 "For it is written in the book of Psalms: 'Let his dwelling place be desolate, And let no one live in it'; and, 'Let another take his office.'

The first of Peter’s two quotations is from Psalm 69:25 and the second is from Psalm 109:8. Neither is specifically referring to Judas but to wicked men, generally. But whatever is true of wicked men, generally, would also be true of Judas, in particular. His dwelling place, therefore, would be desolate; none would live in it.

On the other hand, any important office, if it is prematurely vacated by death or other incapacity, should be taken by another.

21 "Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

Peter, here, implies that certain others had accompanied the Lord and His apostles on their various journeys and had heard His teaching. No doubt Jesus included these in view of His divine knowledge that Judas would need to be replaced.

22 beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection."

Jesus’ Galilean ministry began when John was put into prison by Herod (Matthew 4:12-17; Mark 1:12-17). But He had made and baptized many disciples, in Judea, previously, while John was yet free and still baptizing (John 3:25-26; 4:1-3). Only one who was familiar enough with Jesus as to not possibly be mistaken about the fact of the resurrection could effectively testify that He had, indeed, arisen. It should be said at this point that the qualifications one must meet in order to succeed an apostle have not been met by any man or woman since early in the first century. It is true that Oral Roberts claims to have seen Jesus “500 feet tall,” but one might reasonably ask, “Who held the tape?”

23 And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

There were only two men, known to the eleven, who met these two qualifications. Nothing is known of these two, beyond what is said here.

24 And they prayed and said, "You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen

The apostles have the utmost confidence that the Lord has already chosen Judas’ successor. It is certainly possible that He had told them so. It is, however, also possible that they inferred it from something He had said. But He had not identified the one who was to take the vacated office. Thus, they pray that He will reveal His choice to them.

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

This is the only instance of apostolic succession in the inspired record. This is because Judas is the only apostle who fell from the office by transgression. He went “to his own place,” in that, he went to the place of his own choosing. Judas, like so many others since, chose to enter by the wide gate and travel the broad way. (Matthew 7:13-14) He went, or will go, to the place “prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41-46).

(To be continued)