Bible Commentary


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1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments to the apostles whom he had chosen:

3 To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, said he, you have heard of me.

5 For John truly baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, will you at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

7 And he said to them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in his own power.

8 But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come on you: and you shall be witnesses to me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth.

9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

11 Which also said, You men of Galilee, why stand you gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into heaven.

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

13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where stayed 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.

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

15 And in those days Peter stood up in the middle of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)

16 Men and brothers, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spoke before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.

17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.

18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the middle, and all his bowels gushed out.

19 And it was known to all the dwellers at Jerusalem; so as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.

20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his position as bishop let another take.

21 Why of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

22 Beginning from the baptism of John, to that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

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

24 And they prayed, and said, You, Lord, which know the hearts of all men, show whether of these two you have chosen,

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.

26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.


former: Luk 1:24

O Theophilus: Luk 1:3

of: Act 2:22, Mat 4:23, Mat 4:24, Mat 11:5, Luk 7:21-23, Luk 24:19, Joh 10:32-38, Joh 18:19-21, 1Pe 2:21-23

Reciprocal: 2Ch 17:7 - to teach Ezr 7:10 - and to teach Mat 5:19 - do Mar 1:1 - beginning Mar 6:30 - both Luk 1:1 - those Luk 14:22 - it is 1Ti 3:16 - received

the day: Act 1:9, Mar 16:19, Luk 9:51, Luk 24:51, Joh 6:62, Joh 13:1, Joh 13:3, Joh 16:28, Joh 17:13, Joh 20:17, Eph 4:8-10, 1Ti 3:16, Heb 6:19, Heb 6:20, Heb 9:24, 1Pe 3:22

through: Act 10:38, Isa 11:2, Isa 11:3, Isa 42:1, Isa 48:16, Isa 59:20, Isa 59:21, Isa 61:1, Mat 3:16, Mat 12:28, Joh 1:16, Joh 3:34, Rev 1:1, Rev 2:7, Rev 2:11, Rev 2:17, Rev 2:29, Rev 3:16, Rev 3:13, Rev 3:22

given: Mat 28:19, Mar 16:15-19, Luk 24:45-49

the apostles: Act 1:13, Act 10:40-42, Mat 10:1-4, Mar 3:14-19, Luk 6:13-16, Joh 6:70, Joh 13:18, Joh 20:21, Gal 1:1, Eph 2:20, 2Pe 3:2, Rev 21:14

Reciprocal: Num 16:5 - even him 2Ki 2:5 - thy master 1Ch 22:6 - charged him Psa 68:18 - ascended Mat 11:1 - commanding Mat 24:14 - shall be Mar 1:1 - beginning Luk 4:1 - full Joh 14:26 - Holy Ghost Act 1:22 - unto Act 10:41 - Not 1Co 1:1 - an 1Co 15:5 - then 1Co 15:7 - then 1Ti 3:15 - know Heb 9:14 - who

he showed: Act 13:31, Mat 28:9, Mat 28:16, Mar 16:10-14, Luk 24:1-53, Joh 20:1 - Joh 21:25; 1Co 15:5-7, 1Jn 1:1

forty: Deu 9:9, Deu 9:18, 1Ki 19:8, Mat 4:2

speaking: Act 28:31, Dan 2:44, Dan 2:45, Mat 3:2, Mat 21:43, Luk 17:20, Luk 17:21, Luk 24:44-49, Rom 14:17, Col 1:13, 1Th 2:12

Reciprocal: Mar 16:19 - after Luk 1:2 - which Luk 24:39 - my hands Joh 14:30 - I Joh 16:12 - yet Joh 16:16 - a little while Act 8:12 - concerning Act 10:41 - Not Act 19:8 - disputing 1Co 15:4 - he rose

being assembled together: or, eating together, Act 10:41, Luk 24:41-43

commanded: Luk 24:49

the promise: Act 2:33, Mat 10:20, Luk 11:13, Luk 12:12, Joh 7:39, Joh 14:16, Joh 14:26-28, Joh 15:26, Joh 16:7-15, Joh 20:22

Reciprocal: Num 9:22 - abode Psa 68:18 - received Isa 26:8 - we Act 17:3 - whom I preach Gal 3:14 - might Eph 1:13 - holy Rev 22:1 - proceeding

John: Act 11:15, Act 19:4, Mat 3:11, Luk 3:16, Joh 1:31, 1Co 12:13, Tit 3:5

but: Act 2:1-4, Act 2:16-21, Act 10:45, Act 11:15, Joe 2:28-32, Joe 3:18

Reciprocal: Psa 47:5 - God Mat 3:6 - were Mat 3:14 - I have Mar 1:8 - he shall Joh 1:26 - I Joh 1:33 - the same Joh 16:7 - but Act 2:4 - filled Act 11:16 - how Gal 3:14 - might Rev 22:1 - proceeding

Lord: Mat 24:3, Joh 21:21

restore: Gen 49:10, Isa 1:26, Isa 9:6, Isa 9:7, Jer 23:5, Jer 23:6, Jer 33:15-17, Jer 33:26, Eze 37:24-27, Dan 7:27, Hos 3:4, Joe 3:16-21, Amo 9:11, Oba 1:17-21, Mic 5:2, Zep 3:15-17, Zec 9:9, Mat 20:21, Luk 22:29

Reciprocal: Mar 9:1 - the kingdom Mar 13:4 - General Luk 17:20 - when the Luk 19:11 - they thought Luk 21:7 - when Luk 24:21 - General Act 3:19 - when

It: Act 17:26, Deu 29:29, Dan 2:21, Mat 24:36, Mar 13:32, Luk 21:24, Eph 1:10, 1Th 5:1, 1Th 5:2, 1Ti 6:15, 2Ti 3:1

which: Mat 20:23, Mar 10:40

Reciprocal: Gen 17:21 - at Exo 12:41 - selfsame Jos 6:10 - until the day Job 14:13 - appoint me Job 24:1 - seeing Job 33:13 - giveth not account Psa 31:15 - My times Psa 75:2 - receive the congregation Psa 102:13 - the set Ecc 3:17 - for Isa 40:2 - warfare Dan 11:27 - yet Dan 12:8 - but Hab 2:3 - the vision Zec 14:7 - which Mar 9:1 - the kingdom Mar 13:4 - General Luk 13:23 - And Luk 17:20 - when the Luk 21:7 - when Joh 7:6 - My time Joh 21:21 - Lord Gal 4:4 - the fulness

ye shall: Act 2:1-4, Act 6:8, Act 8:19, Mic 3:8, Zec 4:6, Luk 10:19, Rev 11:3-6

power: etc. or, the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you, Luk 1:35, Luk 24:29, Rom 15:19

and ye: Act 1:22, Act 2:32, Act 3:15, Act 4:33, Act 5:32, Act 10:39-41, Act 13:31, Act 22:15, Mat 28:19, Mar 16:15, Luk 24:46-49, Joh 15:27

in Samaria: Act 8:5-25

unto: Psa 22:27, Psa 98:3, Isa 42:10, Isa 49:6, Isa 52:10, Isa 66:19, Jer 16:19, Mat 24:14, Rom 10:18, Rom 15:19

Reciprocal: 2Ki 2:9 - Ask what 2Ki 2:15 - The spirit Psa 110:3 - day Pro 8:1 - General Isa 2:3 - for out Isa 43:10 - my witnesses Isa 44:8 - ye are Isa 48:6 - and will Eze 3:4 - General Amo 7:15 - Go Mic 4:2 - for Mat 10:1 - he gave Mat 10:5 - of the Samaritans Mat 10:26 - for Mat 13:37 - is Mat 22:4 - other Mat 23:34 - I send Mar 3:14 - and Luk 1:2 - which Luk 9:1 - gave Luk 11:49 - I will Luk 13:23 - And Luk 17:16 - and he Luk 24:48 - General Luk 24:49 - but Joh 4:9 - for Joh 4:41 - many Joh 14:26 - Holy Ghost Joh 15:16 - ordained Joh 20:21 - as Act 3:26 - first Act 4:18 - not to speak Act 4:20 - the things Act 8:25 - when they had Act 9:32 - as Act 10:42 - he commanded Act 13:47 - so 1Co 12:10 - the working Gal 2:8 - he Col 1:11 - his 2Ti 1:7 - but 1Pe 5:1 - and a

when: Act 1:2, Psa 68:18, Mar 16:19, Luk 24:50, Luk 24:51, Joh 6:62, Eph 4:8-12

a cloud: Exo 19:9, Exo 34:5, Isa 19:1, Dan 7:13, Luk 21:27, Rev 1:7, Rev 11:12, Rev 14:4

Reciprocal: 1Ki 11:7 - the hill 2Ki 2:1 - take up 2Ki 2:10 - if thou see 2Ki 2:12 - he saw him Mat 9:15 - when Mat 17:5 - behold Mar 2:20 - be taken Mar 9:7 - a cloud Mar 14:62 - the Son Luk 5:35 - when Luk 9:51 - that Luk 19:12 - a far Joh 12:8 - but Joh 16:28 - I leave Joh 17:11 - I am Act 1:22 - unto Eph 4:10 - ascended 1Th 4:17 - in the Heb 9:24 - but

while: 2Ki 2:11, 2Ki 2:12

two: Act 10:3, Act 10:30, Dan 7:9, Mat 17:2, Mat 28:3, Mar 16:5, Luk 24:4, Joh 20:12, Rev 3:4, Rev 7:14

Reciprocal: Jos 5:13 - a man 2Ki 2:10 - if thou see Mat 9:15 - when Mar 16:19 - he was Luk 19:12 - a far Joh 1:51 - and the Act 7:55 - looked 1Ti 3:16 - seen Rev 19:8 - white

Ye men: Act 2:7, Act 13:31, Mar 14:70

why: Act 3:12, Luk 24:5

shall: Dan 7:13, Dan 7:14, Mat 24:30, Mat 25:31, Mar 13:26, Luk 21:27, Joh 14:3, 1Th 1:10, 1Th 4:16, 2Th 1:7-10, Rev 1:7

Reciprocal: 2Ki 2:5 - thy master Zec 14:4 - his feet Mat 26:64 - Hereafter Mar 16:19 - he was Luk 19:12 - and Joh 1:51 - and the Act 3:21 - the heaven Act 7:55 - looked 1Co 11:26 - till Gal 4:25 - Arabia Eph 4:10 - ascended Php 3:20 - from 1Ti 3:16 - seen Heb 4:14 - that is Heb 9:28 - he appear 1Pe 3:22 - is gone

from: Zec 14:4, Mat 21:1, Mat 24:3, Mat 26:30, Luk 21:37, Luk 24:52

a sabbath: Luk 24:50, Joh 11:18

Reciprocal: Deu 11:29 - General 2Sa 15:30 - the ascent 1Ki 11:7 - the hill Mat 24:20 - neither Mar 11:1 - at the Luk 19:29 - Bethany

an: Act 9:37-39, Act 20:8, Mar 14:15, Luk 22:12

Peter: Act 2:14, Act 2:38, Act 3:1-10, Act 4:13, Act 4:19, Act 8:14-25, Act 9:32-43, Act 10:9-33, Act 12:2, Act 12:3, Act 15:7-11, Mat 4:18-22, Mat 10:2-4, Mar 3:16-18, Mar 5:37, Mar 9:2, Mar 14:33, Luk 6:13-16, Joh 1:40-42, Joh 13:23-25, Joh 18:17, Joh 18:25-27, Joh 21:15-24, 1Jn 1:1 - 1Jn 5:21, 2Jn 1:1-13, 3Jn 1:1-14, Rev 1:1-3

Philip: Joh 1:43-46, Joh 6:5-7, Joh 12:21, Joh 12:22, Joh 14:8, Joh 14:9

Thomas: Joh 11:16, Joh 20:26-29, Joh 21:2

Matthew: Mat 9:9, Mar 2:14, Luk 5:27-29, Levi

James: Act 12:17, Act 15:13, 1Co 15:7, Gal 1:19, Gal 2:9, Jas 1:1

Alphaeus: Mar 2:14, Mar 3:18

Simon: Mat 10:4, Mar 3:18, Canaanite, Luk 6:15

Judas: Mat 10:3, Lebbaeus whose surname was Thaddaeus, Mar 3:18, Thaddaeus, Jud 1:1

Reciprocal: Mal 3:16 - spake Mat 28:16 - the eleven Mar 1:16 - Simon Mar 1:19 - James Mar 6:3 - Simon Luk 6:14 - Simon Joh 1:44 - Philip Joh 2:12 - and his brethren Joh 14:22 - Judas Act 1:2 - the apostles Act 2:46 - from house to house Act 4:23 - they 1Th 1:7 - in Heb 10:25 - forsaking

all: Act 2:1, Act 2:42, Act 2:46, Act 4:24-31, Act 6:4, Mat 18:19, Mat 18:20, Mat 21:22, Luk 11:13, Luk 18:1, Luk 24:53, Eph 6:18

with the: Mat 27:55, Mar 15:40, Mar 16:1, Luk 8:2, Luk 8:3, Luk 23:49, Luk 23:55, Luk 24:10, Joh 19:25

Mary: Joh 19:25, Joh 19:26

with his: Mat 13:55, Mat 13:56, Mar 3:31-35

Reciprocal: Num 20:8 - speak Mat 12:46 - his Luk 8:20 - thy brethren Joh 2:12 - and his brethren Act 4:23 - they Act 4:32 - the multitude Act 5:12 - they Act 15:25 - being Rom 12:12 - continuing 1Co 9:5 - the brethren 1Co 14:13 - pray Php 2:2 - one accord Heb 10:25 - forsaking 1Pe 3:5 - the holy

Peter: Psa 32:5, Psa 32:6, Psa 51:9-13, Luk 22:32, Joh 21:15-17, the names, Rev 3:4, Rev 11:13,*Gr.

an: Act 21:20,*Gr: Mat 13:31, Joh 14:12, 1Co 15:6

Reciprocal: Psa 72:16 - There Isa 45:2 - make Mat 13:32 - the least Act 2:3 - sat Act 2:41 - added

Men: Act 2:29, Act 2:37, Act 7:2, Act 13:15, Act 13:26, Act 13:38, Act 15:7, Act 15:13, Act 22:1, Act 23:1, Act 23:6, Act 28:17

this: Act 2:23, Act 13:27-29, Mat 26:54, Mat 26:56, Joh 10:35, Joh 12:38-40, Joh 19:28-30, Joh 19:36

which the: Act 2:30, Act 2:31, Act 4:25-28, Act 28:25, 2Sa 23:2, Mar 12:36, Heb 3:7, Heb 3:8, 1Pe 1:11, 2Pe 2:21

spake: Psa 41:9, Psa 55:12-15, Mat 26:47, Joh 13:18, Joh 18:2-8

Reciprocal: 2Ki 15:12 - And so Psa 101:7 - He that worketh Psa 109:8 - another Mat 2:15 - that Mat 10:4 - and Mat 18:7 - for Mat 22:43 - General Mat 26:24 - but Mar 3:19 - Judas Mar 14:21 - but Mar 14:43 - while Luk 6:16 - Judas Iscariot Luk 22:22 - but Luk 22:47 - Judas Joh 6:71 - for Joh 13:21 - one Joh 17:12 - that Joh 18:3 - Judas Act 1:25 - from Act 2:24 - because Gal 1:1 - neither 1Ti 5:24 - General 1Ti 6:10 - the love 2Ti 3:16 - All Jas 2:23 - the scripture 1Pe 2:6 - it 2Pe 1:21 - by the Holy

he: Mat 10:4, Mar 3:19, Luk 6:16, Luk 22:47, Joh 6:70, Joh 6:71, Joh 17:12

this: Act 1:25, Act 12:25, Act 20:24, Act 21:19, 2Co 4:1, 2Co 5:18, Eph 4:11, Eph 4:12

Reciprocal: Hab 2:9 - that coveteth an evil covetousness Joh 13:21 - one Act 26:16 - a minister Col 1:23 - whereof Col 4:17 - the ministry

this: Mat 27:3-10

with: Num 22:7, Num 22:17, Jos 7:21-26, 2Ki 5:20-27, Job 20:12-15, Mat 25:15, 2Pe 2:15, 2Pe 2:16

and falling: Psa 55:15, Psa 55:23, Mat 27:5

Reciprocal: Exo 32:35 - General Deu 27:25 - General 2Sa 18:18 - Absalom’s place 2Sa 20:10 - and shed 1Ch 10:4 - Saul took 2Ch 21:15 - thy bowels fall Psa 70:3 - back Psa 109:18 - so let Pro 29:1 - General Zec 11:13 - Cast Mat 18:7 - but Mat 26:15 - thirty Luk 9:25 - what Luk 14:30 - General Luk 16:15 - God Luk 22:5 - and covenanted Act 8:20 - Thy

it: Act 2:22, Mat 28:15

Aceldama: 2Sa 2:16, *marg.

Reciprocal: 2Sa 18:18 - Absalom’s place 2Sa 20:10 - and shed 2Ch 20:26 - the name Zec 11:13 - Cast Mat 27:5 - and departed Mat 27:8 - that Luk 14:30 - General 1Ti 3:16 - received

in: Act 13:33, Luk 20:42, Luk 24:44

Let his: Psa 69:25, Psa 109:9-15, Zec 5:3, Zec 5:4

his: Act 1:25, Psa 109:8

bishopric: or, office, or charge

Reciprocal: Lev 14:42 - General 1Ki 2:35 - Zadok Job 5:3 - cursed Luk 19:26 - and from Php 1:1 - the bishops 1Th 5:9 - not 1Ti 3:1 - the office

these: Luk 10:1, Luk 10:2, Joh 15:27

went: Num 27:17, Deu 31:2, 2Sa 5:2, 1Ki 3:7, Joh 10:1-9

Reciprocal: Deu 1:13 - Take Zec 11:11 - that waited Luk 1:2 - which Act 6:3 - look Act 9:28 - coming

Beginning: Act 13:24, Act 13:25, Mat 3:1-17, Mar 1:1, Mar 1:3-8, Luk 3:1-18, Joh 1:28-51

unto: Act 1:2, Act 1:9

witness: Act 1:8, Act 4:33, Joh 15:27, Heb 2:3

Reciprocal: Zec 11:11 - that waited Luk 1:2 - which Luk 24:48 - General Joh 12:17 - bare Act 2:32 - whereof Act 3:15 - whereof Act 4:20 - the things Act 10:37 - after Act 10:39 - we are Act 10:41 - Not Act 13:31 - who Act 14:23 - they had Act 22:15 - thou shalt Act 25:19 - which 1Pe 5:1 - and a 1Jn 1:2 - and bear

Barsabas: Act 15:22

Reciprocal: Lev 16:8 - cast lots Jon 1:7 - and let Act 1:26 - Matthias

they: Act 13:2, Act 13:3, Pro 3:5, Pro 3:6, Luk 6:12, Luk 6:13

Lord: Act 15:8, Num 27:16, 1Sa 16:7, 1Ki 8:39, 1Ch 28:9, 1Ch 29:17, Psa 7:9, Psa 44:21, Pro 15:11, Jer 11:20, Jer 17:10, Jer 20:12, Joh 2:24, Joh 2:25, Joh 21:17, Heb 4:13, Rev 2:23

Reciprocal: Num 16:5 - even him Jos 7:14 - the tribe Jos 18:8 - that I may here Jos 22:22 - he knoweth 1Sa 10:20 - caused 1Sa 14:41 - Give a perfect lot Neh 11:1 - cast lots Mar 3:14 - he ordained Mar 11:3 - and straightway Joh 15:16 - have not Act 6:6 - when Act 15:7 - God Rom 8:27 - And he

he may: Act 1:17, Act 1:20

from: Act 1:16-21, Psa 109:7, Mat 27:3-5

by: 1Ch 10:13, 1Ch 10:14, 2Pe 2:3-6, Jud 1:6, Jud 1:7

go: Mat 25:41, Mat 25:46, Mat 26:24, Joh 6:70, Joh 6:71, Joh 13:27, Joh 17:12

Reciprocal: Job 20:11 - which shall lie Job 36:20 - cut Job 40:12 - in Psa 55:15 - them Psa 63:9 - go Psa 101:7 - He that worketh Psa 109:18 - so let Pro 29:1 - General Ecc 3:21 - knoweth Mat 10:4 - and Mar 3:14 - he ordained Mar 14:21 - but Luk 6:16 - Judas Iscariot Luk 9:25 - what Luk 22:28 - General Act 26:16 - a minister Rom 1:5 - apostleship 1Co 1:1 - an 1Co 9:27 - a castaway 2Co 2:11 - General Eph 4:12 - the work Col 1:23 - whereof 1Th 5:9 - not Rev 12:8 - their

they: Act 13:19, Lev 16:8, Jos 18:10, 1Sa 14:41, 1Sa 14:42, 1Ch 24:5, Pro 16:22, Jon 1:7

Matthias: Act 1:23

Reciprocal: Num 26:55 - by lot Jdg 20:9 - by lot against it 1Ch 25:8 - cast lots Pro 16:33 - General Mat 10:2 - apostles Act 2:14 - with 1Co 1:1 - an