God’s Word Translation
Acts 1:26
26They drew names to choose an apostle. Matthias was chosen and joined the eleven apostles.
Acts 1:26 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
- New International Version (NIV)Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
- English Standard Version (ESV)And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
- New King James Version (NKJV)And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Context of Acts 1:26
24Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s thoughts. Show us which of these two you have chosen. 25Show us who is to take the place of Judas as an apostle, since Judas abandoned his position to go to the place where he belongs.” They drew names to choose an apostle. Matthias was chosen and joined the eleven apostles.
Read all of Acts 1Acts 1:26 word by word
καὶ ἔδωκαν κλήρους καὶ ἔπεσεν ὁ κλῆρος ἐπὶ Μαθθίαν καὶ συγκατεψηφίσθη μετὰ τῶν ἕνδεκα ἀποστόλων.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Andκαίkai · andG2532
- they gave forthδίδωμιdidōmi · to giveG1325
- theirαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- lotsκλῆροςklēros · lotG2819
- fellπίπτωpiptō petō · to collapseG4098
- uponἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
- MatthiasΜατθίας, ΜαθθίαςMatthias · MatthiasG3159
- he was numberedσυγκαταψηφίζομαιsugkatapsēphizō · to numbered withG4785
- withμετάmeta · with/afterG3326
- the elevenἕνδεκαhendeka · elevenG1733
- apostlesἀπόστολοςapostolos · apostleG652
Cross-references for Acts 1:26
- Acts 13:19Then he destroyed seven nations in Canaan and gave their land to his people as an inheritance.
- Leviticus 16:8Then Aaron must throw lots for the two goats. One lot will be for the Lord and the other for Azazel.
- Joshua 18:10So Joshua drew lots for them in the presence of the Lord in Shiloh. There Joshua divided the land among the tribes of Israel.
- 1 Samuel 14:41Then Saul said to the Lord, “O God of Israel, why didn’t you answer me today? If this sin is mine or my son Jonathan’s, Lord God of Israel, ⌞let the priest⌟ draw Urim. But if it is in your people Israel, ⌞let him⌟ draw Thummim.” Jonathan and Saul were chosen, and the people were freed ⌞from guilt⌟.
- 1 Chronicles 24:5Both groups were divided impartially by drawing lots so that there were officers for the holy place and officers for God among both Eleazar’s and Ithamar’s descendants.
- Proverbs 16:22Understanding is a fountain of life to the one who has it, but stubborn fools punish themselves with their stupidity.
- Jonah 1:7Then the sailors said to each other, “Let’s throw dice to find out who is responsible for bringing this disaster on us.” So they threw dice, and the dice indicated that Jonah was responsible.
- Acts 1:23The disciples determined that two men were qualified. These men were Joseph (who was called Barsabbas and was also known as Justus) and Matthias.
Commentaries on Acts 1:26
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 26They gave forth their lots - In what manner this or any other question was decided by lot, we cannot precisely say. The most simple form was to put two stones, pieces of board, metal, or slips of parchment, with the names of the persons inscribed on them, into an urn; and after prayer, sacrifice, etc., to put in the hand and draw out one of the lots, and then the case was decided. I have considered this subject at large on Leviticus 16:8, Leviticus 16:9…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 26And they gave forth their lots - Some have supposed that this means they voted. But to this interpretation there are insuperable objections: 1.The word “lots,” ́ klērousis not used to express votes, or suffrage. 2.The expression “the lot fell upon” is not consistent with the notion of voting. It is commonly expressive of casting lots. 3.Casting lots was common among the Jews on important and difficult occasions, and it was natural that the apostles…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15-26Verses 15-26 The great thing the apostles were to attest to the world, was, Christ's resurrection; for that was the great proof of his being the Messiah, and the foundation of our hope in him. The apostles were ordained, not to wordly dignity and dominion, but to preach Christ, and the power of his resurrection. An appeal was made to God; "Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men," which we do not; and better than they know their own. It is fit that…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 23-26With prayer and humble dependence on God that he would reveal his will, the apostles cast lots (1:14, 24). This was a traditional way to discover God’s will (see Leviticus 16:8; Numbers 27:21; Deuteronomy 33:8; Joshua 14:2; 18:3–10; Proverbs 16:33). God chose Matthias by lot to replace Judas. After Pentecost, the Holy Spirit guided the followers of Jesus through dreams, visions, and prophecies instead of through lots (compare Acts 2:17–18; 13:2; 16:7–10)…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 15-2615-26. in those days--of expectant prayer, and probably towards the close of them, when the nature of their future work began more clearly to dawn upon them, and the Holy Ghost, already "breathed" on the Eleven (Joh 20:22), was stirring in Peter, who was to be the leading spirit of the infant community (Mt 16:19). the number ... about an hundred and twenty--Many, therefore, of the "five hundred brethren" who saw their risen Lord "at once" (1Co 15:6), must…Read the comment
Topics related to Acts 1:26
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Acts 1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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