AICNT ACTs chapter 1

1 I composed the first account about all things, O Theophilus,[fn] which Jesus began both to do and to teach, 2 until the day when, having given instructions to the apostles through the Holy Spirit[fn] whom he had chosen, he was taken up. 3 To them he also presented himself alive after his suffering, with many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

4 And while he was with them, he commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit[fn] not many days from now.”

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority, 8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses[fn] in Jerusalem and [in][fn] all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And as they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you [into heaven],[fn] will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James.

14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer [[and supplication]],[fn] together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and [with][fn] his brothers.

15 In those days Peter stood up among the {brothers}[fn] (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit[fn] spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.”

18 “This one, therefore, acquired a field from the wages of unrighteousness, and falling headlong,[fn] burst open in the middle, and all his entrails poured out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their [own][fn] language {Akeldama},[fn] that is, Field of Blood. 20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his dwelling place become desolate,’ and ‘let there be no one living in it;’ and, ‘Let another take his position of oversight.’ 21 Therefore, of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”

23 And {they}[fn] put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

1:1, Theophilus: Related to the word θεοφιλής which means (be)loved by God or loving God (BDAG, θεοφιλής). There are numerous theories among scholars to the identity of Theophilus. These include (1) a Roman official or nobleman, (2) a wealthy patron, (3) a generic title for believers, (4) a new convert (catechumen), (5) a Jewish priest or leader, or (6) a title used for literary purposes (literary device). Each of these theories has varying degrees of acceptance among scholars, and without concrete historical evidence, the true identity of Theophilus remains a matter of interpretation and conjecture.

1:2, Spirit: The Greek word for Spirit is given the following definitions by BDAG: (1) air in movement, blowing, breathing, (2) that which animates or gives life to the body, breath , (life-)spirit, (3) a part of human personality, spirit, (4) an independent noncorporeal being, in contrast to a being that can be perceived by the physical senses, spirit, or (5) God's being as controlling influence, with focus on association with humans, Spirit, spirit ... (c) Because of its heavenly origin and nature this Spirit is called (the) Holy Spirit. (BDAG, πνεῦμα)

1:5, Spirit: See footnote for Spirit in verse 2.

1:8, my witnesses: Some manuscripts read “witnesses to me.”

1:8, in: Absent from some manuscripts.

1:11, into heaven: Absent from some manuscripts.

1:14, and supplication: Some manuscripts include.

1:14, with: SBLGNT THGNT‖ Absent from some manuscripts. NA28

1:15, brothers: Some manuscripts read “disciples.”

1:16, Spirit: See footnote for Spirit in verse 2.

1:18, falling headlong: Or “swelling up”

1:19, own Absent from some manuscripts.

1:19, Akeldama: Other manuscripts read “Hakeldamach.”

1:23, they: Some manuscripts read “he.”

AICNT ACTs Chapter 1