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Prologue

The former account I made, O (A)Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, (B)until the day in which [a]He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit (C)had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, (D)to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many [b]infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

The Holy Spirit Promised

(E)And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have (F)heard from Me; (G)for John truly baptized with water, (H)but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, (I)“It is not for you to (J)know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. (K)But you shall receive power (L)when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and (M)you shall be [c]witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and (N)Samaria, and to the (O)end of the earth.”

Jesus Ascends to Heaven(P)

(Q)Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, (R)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 (S)in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, (T)will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

The Upper Room Prayer Meeting

12 (U)Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. 13 And when they had entered, they went up (V)into the upper room where they were staying: (W)Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and (X)Simon the Zealot; and (Y)Judas the son of James. 14 (Z)These all continued with one [d]accord in prayer [e]and supplication, with (AA)the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with (AB)His brothers.

Matthias Chosen(AC)

15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the [f]disciples (altogether the number (AD)of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, 16 “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, (AE)which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, (AF)who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; 17 for (AG)he was numbered with us and obtained a part in (AH)this ministry.”

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

20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms:

(AK)‘Let his dwelling place be [i]desolate,
And let no one live in it’;

and,

(AL)‘Let another take his [j]office.’

21 “Therefore, of these men 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 that day when (AM)He was taken up from us, one of these must (AN)become a witness with us of His resurrection.”

23 And they proposed two: Joseph called (AO)Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, (AP)who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen 25 (AQ)to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” 26 And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 1:2 He ascended into heaven.
  2. Acts 1:3 unmistakable
  3. Acts 1:8 NU My witnesses
  4. Acts 1:14 purpose or mind
  5. Acts 1:14 NU omits and supplication
  6. Acts 1:15 NU brethren
  7. Acts 1:18 reward of unrighteousness
  8. Acts 1:18 intestines
  9. Acts 1:20 deserted
  10. Acts 1:20 Gr. episkopen, position of overseer

Prologue

I wrote the first narrative, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach(A) until the day He was taken up, after He had given orders through the Holy Spirit to the apostles He had chosen.(B) After He had suffered, He also presented Himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during 40 days and speaking about the kingdom of God.(C)

The Holy Spirit Promised

While He was together[a] with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise.(D) “This,” He said, “is what you heard from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”(E)

So when they had come together, they asked Him, “Lord, are You restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?”

He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by His own authority.(F) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends[b] of the earth.”(G)

The Ascension

After He had said this, He was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. 10 While He was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them.(H) 11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen Him going into heaven.”(I)

United in Prayer

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem—a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 When they arrived, they went to the room(J) upstairs where they were staying:

Peter, John,
James, Andrew,
Philip, Thomas,
Bartholomew, Matthew,
James the son of Alphaeus,
Simon the Zealot,
and Judas the son of James.(K)

14 All these were continually united(L) in prayer,[c] along with the women, including Mary[d] the mother of Jesus, and His brothers.(M)

Matthias Chosen

15 During these days Peter stood up among the brothers[e]—the number of people who were together was about 120—and said: 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled that the Holy Spirit through the mouth of David spoke in advance about Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.(N) 17 For he was one of our number and was allotted a share in this ministry.”(O) 18 Now this man acquired a field with his unrighteous wages. He fell headfirst and burst open in the middle, and all his insides spilled out.(P) 19 This became known to all the residents of Jerusalem, so that in their own language that field is called Hakeldama (that is, Field of Blood). 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms:

Let his dwelling become desolate;
let no one live in it;[f] and
Let someone else take his position.(Q)[g]

21 “Therefore, from among the men who have accompanied us during the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us— 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day He was taken up from us—from among these, it is necessary that one become a witness with us of His resurrection.”(R)

23 So they proposed two: Joseph, called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias.(S) 24 Then they prayed,(T) “You, Lord, know the hearts of all; show which of these two You have chosen(U) 25 to take the place[h] in this apostolic service(V) that Judas left to go to his own place.” 26 Then they cast lots(W) for them, and the lot fell to Matthias. So he was numbered with the 11 apostles.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 1:4 Or He was eating, or He was lodging
  2. Acts 1:8 Lit the end
  3. Acts 1:14 Other mss add and petition
  4. Acts 1:14 Or prayer, with their wives and Mary
  5. Acts 1:15 Other mss read disciples
  6. Acts 1:20 Ps 69:25
  7. Acts 1:20 Ps 109:8
  8. Acts 1:25 Other mss read to share

I composed the first discourse, O Theophilus, concerning all things which Jesus began both to do and to teach,

until that day in which, having by the Holy Spirit charged the apostles whom he had chosen, he was taken up;

to whom also he presented himself living, after he had suffered, with many proofs; being seen by them during forty days, and speaking of the things which concern the kingdom of God;

and, being assembled with [them], commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to await the promise of the Father, which [said he] ye have heard of me.

For John indeed baptised with water, but *ye* shall be baptised with the Holy Spirit after now not many days.

They therefore, being come together, asked him saying, Lord, is it at this time that thou restorest the kingdom to Israel?

And he said to them, It is not yours to know times or seasons, which the Father has placed in his own authority;

but ye will receive power, the Holy Spirit having come upon you, and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

And having said these things he was taken up, they beholding [him], and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10 And as they were gazing into heaven, as he was going, behold, also two men stood by them in white clothing,

11 who also said, Men of Galilee, why do ye stand looking into heaven? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven, shall thus come in the manner in which ye have beheld him going into heaven.

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called [the mount] of Olives, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath-day's journey off.

13 And when they were come into [the city], they went up to the upper chamber, where were staying both Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James [son] of Alphaeus, and Simon the zealot, and Jude [the brother] of James.

14 These gave themselves all with one accord to continual prayer, with [several] women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

15 And in those days Peter, standing up in the midst of the brethren, said, (the crowd of names [who were] together [was] about a hundred and twenty,)

16 Brethren, it was necessary that the scripture should have been fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before, by the mouth of David, concerning Judas, who became guide to those who took Jesus;

17 for he was numbered amongst us, and had received a part in this service.

18 (This [man] then indeed got a field with [the] reward of iniquity, and, having fallen down headlong, burst in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

19 And it was known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that that field was called in their own dialect Aceldama; that is, field of blood.)

20 For it is written in [the] book of Psalms, Let his homestead become desolate, and let there be no dweller in it; and, Let another take his overseership.

21 It is necessary therefore, that of the men who have assembled with us all [the] time in which the Lord Jesus came in and went out among us,

22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day in which he was taken up from us, one of these should be a witness with us of his resurrection.

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

24 And they prayed, and said, Thou Lord, knower of the hearts of all, shew which one of these two thou hast chosen,

25 to receive the lot of this service and apostleship, from which Judas transgressing fell to go to his own place.

26 And they gave lots on them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

The former account, indeed, I made concerning all things, O Theophilus, that Jesus began both to do and to teach,

till the day in which, having given command, through the Holy Spirit, to the apostles whom he did choose out, he was taken up,

to whom also he did present himself alive after his suffering, in many certain proofs, through forty days being seen by them, and speaking the things concerning the reign of God.

And being assembled together with them, he commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, [saith he,] `Ye did hear of me;

because John, indeed, baptized with water, and ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit -- after not many days.'

They, therefore, indeed, having come together, were questioning him, saying, `Lord, dost thou at this time restore the reign to Israel?'

and he said unto them, `It is not yours to know times or seasons that the Father did appoint in His own authority;

but ye shall receive power at the coming of the Holy Spirit upon you, and ye shall be witnesses to me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and unto the end of the earth.'

And these things having said -- they beholding -- he was taken up, and a cloud did receive him up from their sight;

10 and as they were looking stedfastly to the heaven in his going on, then, lo, two men stood by them in white apparel,

11 who also said, `Men, Galileans, why do ye stand gazing into the heaven? this Jesus who was received up from you into the heaven, shall so come in what manner ye saw him going on to the heaven.'

12 Then did they return to Jerusalem from the mount that is called of Olives, that is near Jerusalem, a sabbath's journey;

13 and when they came in, they went up to the upper room, where were abiding both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James, of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zelotes, and Judas, of James;

14 these all were continuing with one accord in prayer and supplication, with women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

15 And in these days, Peter having risen up in the midst of the disciples, said, (the multitude also of the names at the same place was, as it were, an hundred and twenty,)

16 `Men, brethren, it behoved this Writing that it be fulfilled that beforehand the Holy Spirit spake through the mouth of David, concerning Judas, who became guide to those who took Jesus,

17 because he was numbered among us, and did receive the share in this ministration,

18 this one, indeed, then, purchased a field out of the reward of unrighteousness, and falling headlong, burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed forth,

19 and it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem, insomuch that that place is called, in their proper dialect, Aceldama, that is, field of blood,

20 for it hath been written in the book of Psalms: Let his lodging-place become desolate, and let no one be dwelling in it, and his oversight let another take.

21 `It behoveth, therefore, of the men who did go with us during all the time in which the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us,

22 beginning from the baptism of John, unto the day in which he was received up from us, one of these to become with us a witness of his rising again.'

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

24 and having prayed, they said, `Thou, Lord, who art knowing the heart of all, shew which one thou didst choose of these two

25 to receive the share of this ministration and apostleship, from which Judas, by transgression, did fall, to go on to his proper place;'

26 and they gave their lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

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

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

To whom also he shewed 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:

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

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

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

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

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

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 stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

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

12 Then returned they unto 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 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.

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

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,)

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.

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 midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

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.

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.

21 Wherefore 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, unto 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, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast 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 upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.