Acts 1

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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,)

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,

That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

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

What does Acts 1:6 mean?

Explanation

Acts 1:6 captures a significant question posed by the Apostles to Jesus after His resurrection and before His ascension.

They ask if He will now restore the kingdom to Israel, illustrating the common Jewish expectation of the time that the Messiah would free Israel from the oppression of foreign powers and establish a sovereign kingdom.

The question reflects the disciples' continuing hope for a political and nationalist restoration.

This question shows that despite Jesus' teaching, the disciples still had a limited understanding of the nature and scope of His messianic mission.

The deeper meaning implies a soon-to-be realization that Jesus' kingdom is not of political nature but spiritual, signifying the establishment of the Church and the spread of the gospel.

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

At the time Acts was written by Luke, Judaea was a province under Roman occupation.

The Jewish people had been anticipating a Messiah who would liberate Israel and reestablish Davidic rule.

This expectation was heightened by the political and social unrest of the period.

The disciples had been closely following Jesus, whom they had come to believe was this promised Messiah.

Their question reflects an anticipation of immediate political change and the restoration of the kingdom of Israel to its former glory.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, this verse shows us that Jesus' disciples still did not fully comprehend the spiritual nature of His kingdom.

Various theological interpretations suggest that the Apostles' question can seem to betray a misunderstanding of Christ's teachings concerning the nature of His mission and kingdom.

Premillennialists may argue that the question looked forward to a future literal and physical reign of Christ on earth.

Amillennialists and postmillennialists may see it as a misunderstanding to be corrected by Jesus' subsequent teaching that His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36), implying that the kingdom of God transcends physical territories and political structures.

Practical Applications

This verse reminds Christians today to seek to understand Jesus' spiritual mission and not to be fixated on temporal power or political solutions as the ultimate means of bringing change.

It encourages believers to prioritize spiritual transformation and evangelism over worldly ambitions.

Additionally, it can motivate Christians to take a broader view of the nature of the work of Christ, recognizing that the kingdom of God is not limited to any particular nation or political entity.

Cross-References

Luke 17:21: "Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."
John 18:36: "Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence."
Daniel 2:44: "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever."

Language Study

The key words in the original Koine Greek of this verse are:

"Restore again" (ἀποκαθιστάνεις, apokathistaneis) suggests the act of returning something to its original condition, implying a reversal of fortunes or restoration of a former state.
"Kingdom" (βασιλείαν, basileian) refers to a realm or dominion and can denote both a geographical territory and the power or authority of a king.
"Israel" (Ἰσραήλ, Israēl), the name of the Jewish nation, symbolizes the people of God in both a physical and spiritual sense.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The Jewish anticipation of a Messiah who would overthrow foreign rulers and restore Israel's kingdom was rooted in their scriptural prophecies and in the political aspirations prevalent during Roman occupation.

This can be compared to other ancient near-eastern cultures who also expected divine figures to intervene in human history for liberation or restoration.

For example, Persian Zoroastrianism anticipated a savior figure, Saoshyant, who would bring about the renovation of the world.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the verse does not directly intersect with scientific understandings, as the concepts in question are of a political and spiritual nature rather than empirical phenomena.

However, the desire for political stability and rule by just leadership reflects a universal human aspiration which can be studied in various scientific disciplines such as anthropology, psychology, and sociology.

Commentaries

Commentators throughout history have offered varying interpretations of this verse.

Early church fathers like John Chrysostom emphasized the spiritual nature of Jesus' kingdom and rebuked any carnal interpretation of the text.

Modern commentators, such as John Stott and N.T.

Wright, often see this passage as indicative of the disciples' misunderstanding of the nature of the Messiah's kingdom, one that Jesus was about to address in His final teachings before the ascension.

There is also recognition among scholars that the disciples' question was a natural one, considering their historical and cultural context, even if it revealed their incomplete grasp of Jesus' mission.

Acts 1

Acts 1

What does Acts 1:6 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Acts 1:6 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?