Prayer in the Upper Room and the Choosing of Matthias
Acts 1:12-26
Acts.1.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Τοτε: ADV
- υπεστρεψαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- εις: PREP
- Ιερουσαλημ: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- απο: PREP
- ορους: NOUN,gen,sg,neut
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- καλουμενου: PART,pres,mid/pass,gen,sg,m
- Ελαιωνος: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- εγγυς: ADV
- Ιερουσαλημ: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- σαββατου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- εχον: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,n
- οδον: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Luke 24:50-51 (quotation): Same ascension scene/location: Luke explicitly places the ascension near Bethany/Mount of Olives and describes Jesus being taken up, closely paralleling Acts' account of returning from the Mount called Olivet.
- Luke 22:39 (verbal): Uses the same geographic term (Mount of Olives) and shows Jesus' regular use of that location (Gethsemane), underscoring the Mount's significance in Lukan tradition.
- John 18:1 (thematic): John reports Jesus crossing the Kidron valley to a garden on the Mount of Olives, corroborating the Gospel tradition that links Jerusalem, the Kidron valley, and the Mount of Olives as proximate sites.
- Zechariah 14:4 (allusion): Prophetic imagery of the Lord standing on the Mount of Olives (which will split) provides an eschatological backdrop to the significance of the Mount of Olives in Jesus' departure and expected return.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's walk away.
- Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away.
Acts.1.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- οτε: CONJ
- εισηλθον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- υπερωον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- ανεβησαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- ου: PART,neg
- ησαν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- καταμενοντες: PART,pres,act,nom,pl,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- τε: CONJ
- Πετρος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Ιωαννης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Ιακωβος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Ανδρεας: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- Φιλιππος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Θωμας: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- Βαρθολομαιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Μαθθαιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- Ιακωβος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- Αλφαιου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Σιμων: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ζηλωτης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Ιουδας: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- Ιακωβου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 10:2-4 (verbal): Lists the twelve apostles by name (Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus/Jude, Simon the Zealot, Judas Iscariot), showing the same apostolic roster whose members appear in Acts 1:13 (overlap in names/identities).
- Mark 3:16-19 (verbal): Another early list of the twelve apostles with essentially the same names (Simon/ Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas), paralleling Acts’ naming of the apostles.
- Luke 24:33-36 (structural): Describes the disciples gathered together (in a house/room) after the resurrection when Jesus appears to them—parallels Acts 1:13’s scene of the apostles assembled in an upper room following Jesus’ appearances and ascension.
- John 20:19-24 (structural): Depicts the disciples meeting in an upper room where Jesus appears and speaks to them; John 20:24 also names Thomas specifically—parallels Acts 1:13’s location (the upper room) and the presence of Thomas among the Twelve.
- Acts 2:1 (thematic): Records the same group 'all together in one place' at Pentecost (the upper room), providing the immediate narrative follow‑through to the gathered company named in Acts 1:13.
Alternative generated candidates
- When they entered they went up to the upper room where they were staying: Peter, John, James, and Andrew; Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.
- When they entered the city, they went up to the upper room where they were staying: Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew,
Acts.1.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ουτοι: PRO,nom,pl,m
- παντες: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- ησαν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- προσκαρτερουντες: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,pl,m
- ομοθυμαδον: ADV
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- προσευχη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- συν: PREP
- γυναιξιν: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- και: CONJ
- Μαριαμ: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- μητρι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- συν: PREP
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- αδελφοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 2:1 (structural): The assembled group’s unity and collective presence immediately before Pentecost echoes Acts 1:14’s emphasis on being together (one accord) as they wait for the Spirit.
- Acts 2:42 (thematic): The early community’s continual devotion to prayer and fellowship echoes the description in Acts 1:14 of the disciples continuing steadfastly in prayer.
- Luke 8:1-3 (thematic): Describes women who accompanied and supported Jesus’ ministry (e.g., Mary Magdalene), providing background for the presence of women with the apostles in Acts 1:14.
- John 19:25 (verbal): Specifically names Mary the mother of Jesus among the women at the cross, paralleling Acts 1:14’s explicit mention of Mary’s presence with the praying community.
- Luke 24:10 (allusion): Names women (Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James) as companions and first witnesses, reinforcing the ongoing role of women alongside the apostles found in Acts 1:14.
Alternative generated candidates
- All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
- James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
Acts.1.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- ημεραις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- ταυταις: DEM,dat,pl,f
- αναστας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- Πετρος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- μεσω: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αδελφων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- τε: CONJ
- οχλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ονοματων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- επι: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- αυτο: PRON,acc,sg,neut
- ως: ADV
- εκατον: NUM,acc,sg,n
- εικοσι: NUM,card
- ·: PUNCT
Parallels
- Acts 1:13-14 (structural): Immediate context: the disciples are gathered in the upper room in prayer — the same assembly among whom Peter stands to speak.
- Acts 2:1 (structural): The narrative continues with the same group gathered at Pentecost; Acts 1:15’s reference to the community (about 120) connects to the collective gathering in Acts 2.
- Acts 2:14 (verbal): Peter again ‘stands up’ to address the assembled believers/crowd — a recurring narrative formula introducing Peter’s public speeches.
- Acts 15:7 (verbal): At the Jerusalem council Luke uses the same phraseology (‘Peter stood up’) to introduce Peter’s intervening speech, paralleling the rhetorical move in Acts 1:15.
- Luke 24:33-35 (thematic): Earlier Luke describes the disciples gathered together reporting the risen Lord; thematically parallels the communal setting and apostolic testimony that frames Acts 1:15.
Alternative generated candidates
- In those days Peter stood up among the brothers—there were about one hundred and twenty persons together—and said,
- In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons together was about one hundred and twenty) and said,
Acts.1.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ανδρες: NOUN,voc,pl,m
- αδελφοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- εδει: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- πληρωθηναι: VERB,aor,pass,inf
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- γραφην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- προειπε: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πνευμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- αγιον: ADJ,acc,sg,neut
- δια: PREP
- στοματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- Δαυιδ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- περι: PREP
- Ιουδα: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- γενομενου: VERB,aor,pass,part,gen,sg,m
- οδηγου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- συλλαβουσιν: PART,dat,pl,m,pres,act
- Ιησουν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Psalm 41:9 (allusion): David speaks of a close companion who betrays him ('he who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me'); early Christians apply this motif to Judas as the betrayer.
- Psalm 109:8 (quotation): ‘Let his days be few; and let another take his office’ — this verse is explicitly quoted in Acts 1:20 as Scripture fulfilled in Judas's fate.
- Psalm 69:25 (quotation): ‘Let their habitation be desolate’ — another psalmic text cited in Acts 1:20 and used to interpret Judas’s removal as fulfillment of Scripture.
- John 13:18 (quotation): Jesus cites the psalmic motif of a trusted companion betraying him and applies it to Judas (explicitly referencing the Scripture spoken by David).
- Matthew 26:14-16 (thematic): Narrative account of Judas arranging to betray Jesus to the chief priests, providing the historical action that Acts interprets as fulfillment of the Davidic sayings.
Alternative generated candidates
- “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became guide to those who arrested Jesus.
- “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became guide to those who arrested Jesus.
Acts.1.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οτι: CONJ
- κατηριθμημενος: VERB,perf,pass,part,nom,sg,m
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- ημιν: PRON,dat,pl,1
- και: CONJ
- ελαχεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- κληρον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- διακονιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ταυτης: DEM,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Acts 1:25 (verbal): Uses closely parallel wording about someone 'taking part in this ministry and apostleship' when choosing a replacement for Judas (same idea and Greek terminology).
- Matthew 10:4 (structural): Judas Iscariot is listed among the twelve apostles, confirming that he was 'numbered among us' as one of the apostolic company.
- John 17:12 (allusion): Jesus speaks of the one 'lost' (the son of perdition) who was among the disciples—thematic parallel to Judas being counted among them yet destined to fall.
- Acts 1:20 (quotation): Peter cites Scripture (Psalms) to argue that another must take Judas' place, directly related to the statement that Judas had been 'numbered among us' and thus left a vacancy.
- Psalm 109:8 (quotation): The Old Testament verse ('May another take his office') is quoted in Acts 1:20 and underlies the claim that Judas, though counted among the apostles, must be replaced.
Alternative generated candidates
- For he was numbered among us and had obtained a share in this ministry.”
- For he was numbered among us and had been allotted his share in this ministry.”
Acts.1.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ουτος: DEM,nom,sg,m
- μεν: PART
- ουν: CONJ
- εκτησατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- χωριον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- εκ: PREP
- μισθου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- αδικιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- πρηνης: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- γενομενος: VERB,aor,mid,ptc,nom,sg,m
- ελακησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- μεσος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- εξεχυθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- σπλαγχνα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 27:3-10 (verbal): Parallel narrative: Judas's remorse, death, and the chief priests' purchase of the 'potter's field' with the blood-money; Acts and Matthew preserve the same tradition about the field bought with the wages of wickedness.
- Zechariah 11:12-13 (allusion): Prophetic background often linked to the Judas/field tradition: 'they weighed out my wages... and cast it to the potter'—language echoed in New Testament accounts of the thirty pieces and the potter's field.
- Jeremiah 32:6-9 (allusion): Theme of purchasing a field as a prophetic/illustrative act (Jeremiah buys a field at Anathoth); Matthew 27:9–10 cites Jeremiah (though content parallels Zechariah), connecting the motif of a purchased field to the Judas tradition that Acts recounts.
- Acts 1:19 (structural): Immediate parallel/continuation in the same account: verse 19 names the field 'Akeldama' (Field of Blood) and links the bought field explicitly to Judas's fate, completing the detail begun in 1:18.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now this man acquired a field with the wages of his wickedness; and falling headlong he burst open in the middle, and all his intestines gushed out.
- (Now this man acquired a field with the wages of his wickedness; and falling headlong he burst open in the middle, and all his bowels gushed out.)
Acts.1.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- γνωστον: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- εγενετο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- πασι: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- κατοικουσιν: PART,pres,act,dat,pl,m
- Ιερουσαλημ: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ωστε: CONJ
- κληθηναι: VERB,aor,pass,inf
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- χωριον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- εκεινο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- ιδια: ADJ,acc,pl,n
- διαλεκτω: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- Ακελδαμαχ: PROPN,nom,sg,m
- τουτ᾽εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- Χωριον: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- Αιματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
Parallels
- Acts 1:18 (verbal): Immediate narrative parallel in the same chapter: describes Judas' acquisition of the field with the reward of his wickedness and the gruesome death that made the field known to all—background for the naming 'Akeldama.'
- Matthew 27:3-8 (thematic): Parallel Gospel account of Judas' remorse, his return of the thirty pieces of silver, and the priests' purchase of the 'potter's field' to bury strangers—narratively corresponds to the origin of the field called 'Field of Blood.'
- Matthew 27:9-10 (quotation): Matthew explicitly links the purchase of the potter's field to fulfillment of Scripture (citing 'Jeremiah'), a direct exegetical tradition tying Judas' money/field to prophetic texts and to the naming/meaning of the field.
- Zechariah 11:12-13 (allusion): Prophetic background to Matthew's citation: thirty pieces of silver paid and thrown to the potter (and thrown into the house of the LORD)—the imagery of silver, potter, and rejected value underlies the 'potter's field' / 'Field of Blood' tradition.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.
- And it became known to all who lived in Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.
Acts.1.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- γεγραπται: VERB,perf,pass,ind,3,sg
- γαρ: PART
- εν: PREP
- βιβλω: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- ψαλμων·Γενηθητω: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- επαυλις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ερημος: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- μη: PART
- εστω: VERB,pres,act,imp,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- κατοικων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- αυτη: PRON,dat,sg,f
- και·Την: ART,acc,sg,f
- επισκοπην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- λαβετω: VERB,aor,act,imp,3,sg
- ετερος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Psalm 69:25 (verbal): Acts 1:20's first clause ('Let his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it') is a direct citation/echo of Psalm 69:25 (LXX/MT), quoted as Scripture supporting Judas's fate.
- Psalm 109:8 (verbal): The second clause in Acts 1:20 ('Let another take his office') is taken verbatim from Psalm 109:8, cited by Peter as the basis for appointing a replacement for Judas.
- Acts 1:18-19 (structural): The narrative immediately following Acts 1:20 describes Judas's death and the 'field of blood' (Akeldama); these verses provide the historical situation that Peter interprets using the Psalm citations.
- Psalm 41:9 (allusion): Though quoted elsewhere about Judas (John 13:18), Psalm 41:9 is thematically linked: like the Psalms cited in Acts 1:20 it is used in New Testament writings to interpret Judas's betrayal as fulfillment of Scripture.
Alternative generated candidates
- For it is written in the Book of Psalms, 'Let his habitation become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it'; and again, 'Let another take his office.'
- For it is written in the book of Psalms, “Let his dwelling become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it,” and, “Let another take his office.”
Acts.1.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- δει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ουν: CONJ
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- συνελθοντων: VERB,aor,act,part,gen,pl,m
- ημιν: PRON,dat,pl,1
- ανδρων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- παντι: PRON,dat,sg,m
- χρονω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- ω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- εισηλθεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- εξηλθεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- εφ᾽ημας: PREP+PRON,acc,pl
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- κυριος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- Ιησους: NOUN,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 1:22 (structural): Direct continuation in the same passage specifying the qualification—one who accompanied the group “from the baptism of John until the day he was taken up,” explicating “companied with us” in v.21.
- Luke 1:2 (verbal): Luke explains his account comes from those “who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word,” echoing Acts’ emphasis on companions/witnesses who were present with Jesus.
- Luke 24:48 (thematic): Jesus tells the disciples, “you are witnesses of these things,” linking the role of those who accompanied him to the task of witnessing his ministry and resurrection.
- 2 Peter 1:16 (verbal): Peter insists he and the apostles were not following myths but were “eyewitnesses of his majesty,” paralleling Acts’ stress on firsthand companions as authoritative witnesses.
- 1 John 1:1 (verbal): The author stresses what was “from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes,” similarly grounding testimony in direct, continuous acquaintance with Jesus.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us during all the time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
- Therefore it is necessary that one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
Acts.1.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αρξαμενος: VERB,aor,mid,ptc,nom,sg,m
- απο: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- βαπτισματος: NOUN,gen,sg,neut
- Ιωαννου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εως: CONJ
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- ημερας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- ης: PRON,gen,sg,f
- ανελημφθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- αφ᾽ημων: PREP+PRON,gen,pl,1
- μαρτυρα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- αναστασεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- συν: PREP
- ημιν: PRON,dat,pl,1
- γενεσθαι: VERB,aor,mid,inf
- ενα: NUM,acc,sg,m
- τουτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Luke 24:48 (thematic): Jesus commissions the disciples as witnesses of the events he foretold—especially his death and resurrection, paralleling Acts’ emphasis on apostolic witness.
- Mark 1:9-11 (verbal): Narrative of Jesus’ baptism by John; Acts 1:22 begins 'from the baptism of John,' directly alluding to the baptismal starting‑point of Jesus’ ministry.
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 (structural): Paul’s catalogue of post‑resurrection appearances and witnesses underscores the same concern for verified apostolic testimony about the resurrection.
- Acts 10:39-41 (thematic): Peter’s summary of the apostles’ experience—how they witnessed Jesus’ death and his post‑resurrection appearances—echoes the requirement in Acts 1:22 for a witnessed testimony to the resurrection.
Alternative generated candidates
- beginning from the baptism of John until the day on which he was taken up from us, one of these must become with us a witness to his resurrection.
- beginning from the baptism of John until the day on which he was taken up from us, become with us a witness to his resurrection.
Acts.1.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εστησαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- δυο: NUM,acc,pl,m
- Ιωσηφ: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- καλουμενον: PART,pres,pass,acc,sg,m
- Βαρσαββαν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- επεκληθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- Ιουστος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Μαθθιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 1:21-26 (structural): Immediate context: sets out the qualifications and procedure (nominating two men and casting lots) that produced the two candidates, Joseph called Barsabbas and Matthias.
- Acts 1:26 (structural): Direct continuation reporting the result of the nomination in v.23 — the lot falls on Matthias, completing the selection process begun with the two nominees.
- Acts 6:5-6 (thematic): Another instance in Acts where the community selects leaders (the seven) by nomination, prayer, and laying on of hands, illustrating early church procedures for appointing officials.
- Luke 6:13 (thematic): Jesus’ appointment of the twelve: a parallel theme of selecting apostles/leadership within the foundational period of the movement.
- Numbers 27:18-23 (thematic): God’s appointment of Joshua as Moses’ successor — an earlier biblical example of designating a replacement to preserve leadership continuity, echoed in the replacement of Judas.
Alternative generated candidates
- So they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
- And they put forward two: Joseph called Barsabbas (who was surnamed Justus), and Matthias.
Acts.1.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- προσευξαμενοι: VERB,pres,mid,part,nom,pl,m
- ειπαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- Συ: PRON,nom,sg,m
- κυριε: NOUN,voc,sg,m
- καρδιογνωστα: NOUN,voc,sg,m
- παντων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- αναδειξον: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- ον: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- εξελεξω: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,sg
- εκ: PREP
- τουτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- δυο: NUM,acc,pl,m
- ενα: NUM,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 16:7 (verbal): God judges by the heart rather than outward appearance — 'the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart' parallels calling God 'heart-knower of all.'
- Psalm 139:23-24 (verbal): Explicit language about God's knowledge of the inner life — 'search me, O God, and know my heart' echoes the petition that the Lord, who knows all hearts, reveal his choice.
- Jeremiah 17:10 (verbal): Divine self-description: 'I the LORD search the heart, I test the mind' closely parallels Acts' characterization of God as one who knows hearts.
- Acts 15:8 (allusion): Within Luke–Acts the same idea appears: 'God, who knows the heart, bore witness...' — Acts 1:24 echoes this claim about God's inner knowledge when seeking his choice.
- Romans 8:27 (thematic): Paul speaks of 'he who searches hearts knows the mind of the Spirit,' a theological parallel emphasizing God's/Christ's knowledge of inner dispositions relevant to discernment and choice.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they prayed, 'Lord, you who know the hearts of all, show which of these two you have chosen,
- And they prayed, saying, “Lord, you who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen
Acts.1.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- λαβειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- τοπον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- διακονιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ταυτης: DEM,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- αποστολης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- αφ᾽ης: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,f
- παρεβη: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- Ιουδας: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- πορευθηναι: VERB,aor,mid,inf
- εις: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- τοπον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- ιδιον: ADJ,acc,sg,neut
Parallels
- Psalm 109:8 (quotation): Peter later cites this verse ('Let another take his office') as the scriptural basis for replacing Judas' apostolic office—the same idea expressed in Acts 1:25.
- John 17:12 (allusion): Jesus speaks of Judas as the 'son of perdition' who was lost so Scripture might be fulfilled—an earlier statement linking Judas' fall to his 'going to his own place.'
- Acts 1:20 (verbal): Immediate context: Peter quotes Psalms ('May his habitation be desolate... Let another take his office'), language directly tied to Judas' apostasy and the vacancy of his apostleship referenced in v.25.
- Acts 1:26 (structural): Narrative resolution of v.25: Matthias is chosen 'to take the place' of Judas, showing the concrete fulfillment of filling the vacant ministry/apostleship.
- Acts 1:21–22 (thematic): Peter's criteria for Judas' successor (a witness to Jesus' ministry and resurrection) explains the need to 'take the place of this ministry and apostleship' mentioned in v.25.
Alternative generated candidates
- to take the ministry and apostleship of which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.'
- to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”
Acts.1.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εδωκαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- κληρους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- και: CONJ
- επεσεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- κληρος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- επι: PREP
- Μαθθιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- συγκατεψηφισθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- μετα: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- ενδεκα: NUM,dat,pl,m
- αποστολων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Acts 1:23-25 (structural): Immediate narrative context describing the nomination of Joseph called Barsabbas and Matthias, the casting of lots, and the selection process that culminates in v.26.
- Acts 1:15-22 (thematic): Peter’s speech outlining the need and criteria for replacing Judas as an apostle (a witness to the resurrection), which provides the rationale for appointing Matthias.
- Psalm 109:8 (quotation): Quoted in Acts 1:20 ('Let another take his office') as prophetic justification for replacing Judas and appointing a successor.
- Proverbs 16:33 (verbal): Speaks of casting lots—'The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD'—providing theological reflection on the practice used to choose Matthias.
- Jonah 1:7 (thematic): An earlier OT instance of casting lots to discern God’s will (the lot fell on Jonah), paralleling Acts’ use of lots to determine God’s choice for leadership.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they cast lots for them; and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
- Then they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away.
When they entered the city 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, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.
These all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
In those days Peter stood up among the brothers—there was a company of about one hundred and twenty persons—and said,
“Brothers, it was necessary that the Scripture be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became guide to those who arrested Jesus.
For he was numbered among us and shared in this ministry.”
(Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness; and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out.) And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their tongue Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.
For it is written in the book of Psalms, “Let his habitation become desolate, and let there be no one to live in it”; and, “Let another take his office.”
Therefore it is necessary that one of the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
beginning from the baptism of John until the day on which he was taken up from us, become a witness with us of his resurrection. So they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
They prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen
to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”
They cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.