Acts 1

1 The first book I wrote, Theophilus, concerned all that Jesus began both to do and to teach,

2 until the day in which he was received up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.

3 To these he also showed himself alive after he suffered, by many proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about God’s Kingdom.

4 Being assembled together with them, he commanded them, “Don’t depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me.

5 For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?”

7 He said to them, “It isn’t for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within his own authority.

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”

9 When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10 While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing,

11 who also said, “You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky, will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky.”

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

13 When they had come in, they went up into the upper room where they were staying, that is Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.

14 All these with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer and supplication, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

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,

16 “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.

17 For he was counted with us, and received his portion in this ministry.

18 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.

19 It became known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem that in their language that field was called ‘Akeldama,’ that is, ‘The field of blood.’

20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his habitation be made desolate. Let no one dwell in it;’ and, ‘Let another take his office.’

21 “Of the men therefore who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

22 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.”

23 They put forward two: Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias.

24 They prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two you have chosen

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

26 They drew lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was counted with the eleven apostles.

Around Acts 1

Context

Context for this book is being written. A note appears here only once it names its sources.

AI explanation

Acts 1 · Written by an AI model · Not reviewed by a theological reader

This explanation was written by an AI model to help you get started. It names no sources and can contain mistakes. Scripture comes first, and context with sources is shown separately on this page.

What this chapter says

Luke writes again to Theophilus. His first book was about all that Jesus began to do and teach. For forty days after his suffering, Jesus appeared to the apostles with many proofs, speaking about God's Kingdom. He told them to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father, since they will be baptized in the Holy Spirit.

They ask whether he is now restoring the kingdom to Israel. He says the times belong to the Father, and then: “You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.” He is taken up, and a cloud hides him. Two men in white ask why they stand looking at the sky, and promise that he will come back in the same way.

The disciples go back to the upper room and pray together. Peter speaks about Judas, and they draw lots, and the lot falls on Matthias.

Background

Acts is the second volume of Luke's work, and Luke 24 ends where Acts 1 begins. The chapter sets the whole book's plan in verse 8. Many scholars date Acts to the later first century. The death of Judas is told here and in Matthew 27, and the two accounts differ in details. Christians have long discussed how to fit them together. Drawing lots is an ancient way of seeking God's choice. Christians differ on whether Matthias was the right choice, since Paul later calls himself an apostle too.

About this explanation

Written by Claude Sonnet 5.5, an AI model, on 14 October 2026. It draws on the WEB text and general knowledge and was not checked against sources by a person. Every quotation from Scripture is checked automatically against the WEB text.

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World English Bible. Public-domain source and edition notes