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Luke’s Second Volume

·To [L O] Theophilus [C a name meaning “Lover of God”; probably a specific individual, though possibly addressing all who love God].

The ·first [or former; previous] ·book [account; C a reference to the Gospel of Luke] I wrote was about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up into heaven. Before this, ·with the help of [through] the Holy Spirit, Jesus ·told [instructed; commanded] the apostles he had chosen [Luke 6:13] what they should do. After his ·death [L suffering], he showed himself to them and ·proved [provided undeniable evidence] in many ways that he was alive [Luke 24:13–49]. The apostles saw Jesus during the forty days after he was raised from the dead, and he spoke to them about the kingdom of God. Once when he was ·eating [or staying; meeting] with them, he ·told [commanded] them not to leave Jerusalem. He said, “Wait here to receive the promise from the Father [C the gift of the Holy Spirit] which I told you about [Luke 24:49]. John baptized people ·with [or in] water [Luke 3:1–20], but in a few days you will be baptized ·with [by; or in] the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus Is Taken Up into Heaven

When the apostles were all together, they ·asked [kept asking] Jesus, “Lord, are you ·now [at this time] going to ·give the kingdom back [restore the kingdom] to Israel [C Israel had lived for centuries under the oppression of foreign nations; Jer. 16:15; 23:8; Hos. 11:8–11; the disciples were expecting the messianic kingdom; Is. 9:1–7; 11:1–16]?”

Jesus said to them, “The Father is the only One who has the ·authority [or power] to ·decide [set] dates and times [Mark 13:32]. These things are not for you to know. But when the Holy Spirit comes to you, you will receive power. You will be my witnesses—in Jerusalem [2:1—8:3], in all of Judea, in Samaria [8:4—11:18], and ·in every part of the world [to the ends of the earth; 11:19—28:31; Luke 24:45–48].”

After he said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud ·hid him from [or took him out of; C a reference to the cloud chariot; Dan. 7:13–14] their sight [C a description of Christ’s ascension into heaven]. 10 As he was going, they were ·looking [staring; gazing] into the ·sky [heavens]. Suddenly, two men wearing white clothes [C angels] stood beside them. 11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing here ·looking into [staring at] ·the sky [heaven]? Jesus, whom you saw taken up from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you saw him go [C on a cloud; Luke 21:27].”

A New Apostle Is Chosen

12 Then they went back to Jerusalem from the Mount ·of Olives [or called Olivet]. (This mountain is about ·half a mile [L a Sabbath day’s journey] from Jerusalem.) 13 When they entered the city, they went to the upstairs room where they were staying. Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon (known as the Zealot [C either a political revolutionary or one zealous for the Law of Moses; Luke 6:15]), and Judas son of James were there. 14 They all ·continued [or were constantly] praying together with some women [C followers of Jesus (Luke 8:3; 24:22) and perhaps wives of the apostles], including Mary the mother of Jesus, and Jesus’ brothers.

15 ·During this time [L In those days] there was a meeting of the ·believers [L brothers (and sisters)] (about one hundred twenty of them). Peter stood up and said, “·Brothers and sisters [L Men, brothers; C Peter is probably specifically addressing the apostles], in the Scriptures the Holy Spirit ·said [foretold] through [L the mouth of] David ·something that must happen involving [L concerning] Judas. He was one of our own group and ·served together with us [shared part of this ministry]. He ·led [guided] those who arrested Jesus.” 18 (Judas bought a field with the ·money [wages; reward] he got for his ·evil [unjust] act. But he fell to his death, his body burst open, and all his ·intestines [bowels; guts] poured out [Matt. 27:3–10]. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem learned about this so they named this place Akeldama. In their language [C Aramaic] Akeldama means “Field of Blood.”) 20 [L For] In the Book of Psalms,” Peter said, “this is written:

‘May his ·place [dwelling; home] be ·empty [deserted];
    leave no one to live in it [Ps. 69:25].’

And it is also written:

‘Let another man ·replace him as leader [take his office/position of leadership; Ps. 109:8].’

“So now a man must become a witness with us of Jesus’ ·being raised from the dead [resurrection]. He must be one of the men who were part of our group during all the time the Lord Jesus ·was [L went in and out] among us—·from the time John was baptizing people [or from John’s baptism of Jesus; L from the baptism of John] until the day Jesus was taken up from us to heaven.”

23 They put the names of two men before the group. One was Joseph Barsabbas, who was also called Justus. The other was Matthias. The apostles prayed, “Lord, you know the ·thoughts [hearts] of everyone. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to ·do this work and to be an apostle [L take this position of ministry and apostleship] in place of Judas, who turned away and went where he belongs [C to death, destruction, or hell].” 26 Then they ·used [cast] lots to choose between them [C often used as a means to discern God’s will in the OT; Lev. 16:8; Num. 26:55; 33:54; Josh. 19:1–4; 1 Sam. 23:6], and the lots showed that Matthias was the one. So he ·became [was counted as] an apostle with the other eleven.

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

Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven

In my former book,(A) Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach(B) until the day he was taken up to heaven,(C) after giving instructions(D) through the Holy Spirit to the apostles(E) he had chosen.(F) After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them(G) over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.(H) On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait(I) for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.(J) For John baptized with[a] water,(K) but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.”(L)

Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore(M) the kingdom to Israel?”

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.(N) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;(O) and you will be my witnesses(P) in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,(Q) and to the ends of the earth.”(R)

After he said this, he was taken up(S) before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white(T) stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,”(U) they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back(V) in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem(W) from the hill called the Mount of Olives,(X) a Sabbath day’s walk[c] from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room(Y) where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.(Z) 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer,(AA) along with the women(AB) and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.(AC)

15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers and sisters,[d](AD) the Scripture had to be fulfilled(AE) in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas,(AF) who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number(AG) and shared in our ministry.”(AH)

18 (With the payment(AI) he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field;(AJ) there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language(AK) Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

20 “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms:

“‘May his place be deserted;
    let there be no one to dwell in it,’[e](AL)

and,

“‘May another take his place of leadership.’[f](AM)

21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism(AN) to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness(AO) with us of his resurrection.”

23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed,(AP) “Lord, you know everyone’s heart.(AQ) Show us(AR) which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.(AS)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 1:5 Or in
  2. Acts 1:5 Or in
  3. Acts 1:12 That is, about 5/8 mile or about 1 kilometer
  4. Acts 1:16 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in 6:3; 11:29; 12:17; 16:40; 18:18, 27; 21:7, 17; 28:14, 15.
  5. Acts 1:20 Psalm 69:25
  6. Acts 1:20 Psalm 109:8