Who, what, why, when, where, and how — read the book introduction
Acts 1–28 available · Reviewed and cleared by the author.
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Learn about the sources and coverage →Theophilus, in my first account I wrote about everything Jesus began to do and teach,
The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
Τὸν μὲν πρῶτον λόγον ἐποιησάμην περὶ πάντων, ὦ Θεόφιλε, ὧν ἤρξατο ὁ Ἰησοῦς ποιεῖν τε καὶ διδάσκειν,
Ton men prōton logon epoiēsamēn peri pantōn, ō Theophile, hōn ērxato ho Iēsous poiein te kai didaskein,
up to the day He was taken into heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles He had chosen.
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:
ἄχρι ἧς ἡμέρας, ἐντειλάμενος τοῖς ἀποστόλοις διὰ πνεύματος ἁγίου οὓς ἐξελέξατο, ἀνελήφθη∙
achri hēs hēmeras, enteilamenos tois apostolois dia pneumatos hagiou hous exelexato, anelēphthē;
After His suffering, He showed these men that He was alive, giving them many convincing proofs. He appeared to them over forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
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:
οἷς καὶ παρέστησεν ἑαυτὸν ζῶντα μετὰ τὸ παθεῖν αὐτὸν ἐν πολλοῖς τεκμηρίοις, δι’ ἡμερῶν τεσσαράκοντα ὀπτανόμενος αὐτοῖς, καὶ λέγων τὰ περὶ τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ θεοῦ.
hois kai parestēsen heauton zōnta meta to pathein auton en pollois tekmēriois, di’ hēmerōn tessarakonta optanomenos autois, kai legōn ta peri tēs basileias tou theou.
While gathered with them, He instructed them, “Do not leave Jerusalem. Wait for what the Father promised, which you heard Me speak about.
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.
Καὶ συναλιζόμενος παρήγγειλεν αὐτοῖς ἀπὸ Ἱεροσολύμων μὴ χωρίζεσθαι, ἀλλὰ περιμένειν τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν τοῦ πατρός, Ἣν ἠκούσατέ μου∙
Kai synalizomenos parēngeilen autois apo Hierosolymōn mē chōrizesthai, alla perimenein tēn epangelian tou patros, Hēn ēkousate mou;
John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
ὅτι Ἰωάννης μὲν ἐβάπτισεν ὕδατι, ὑμεῖς δὲ βαπτισθήσεσθε ἐν πνεύματι ἁγίῳ οὐ μετὰ πολλὰς ταύτας ἡμέρας.
hoti Iōannēs men ebaptisen hydati, hymeis de baptisthēsesthe en pneumati hagiō ou meta pollas tautas hēmeras.
So when they came together, they asked Him, “Lord, is this the time when You will restore the kingdom to Israel?”
When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
Οἱ μὲν οὖν συνελθόντες ἐπηρώτων αὐτὸν λέγοντες, Κύριε, εἰ ἐν τῷ χρόνῳ τούτῳ ἀποκαθιστάνεις τὴν βασιλείαν τῷ Ἰσραήλ;
Hoi men oun synelthontes epērōtōn auton legontes, Kyrie, ei en tō chronō toutō apokathistaneis tēn basileian tō Israēl?
He told them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by His own authority.
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.
Εἶπεν δὲ πρὸς αὐτούς, Οὐχ ὑμῶν ἐστιν γνῶναι χρόνους ἢ καιροὺς οὓς ὁ πατὴρ ἔθετο ἐν τῇ ἰδίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ.
Eipen de pros autous, Ouch hymōn estin gnōnai chronous ē kairous hous ho patēr etheto en tē idia exousia.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. You will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest reaches of the earth.”
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 Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Ἀλλὰ λήψεσθε δύναμιν, ἐπελθόντος τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς∙ καὶ ἔσεσθέ μοι μάρτυρες ἔν τε Ἱερουσαλήμ, καὶ ἐν πάσῃ τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ καὶ Σαμαρείᾳ, καὶ ἕως ἐσχάτου τῆς γῆς.
Alla lēpsesthe dynamin, epelthontos tou hagiou pneumatos eph’ hymas; kai esesthe moi martyres en te Hierousalēm, kai en pasē tē Ioudaia kai Samareia, kai heōs eschatou tēs gēs.
After saying this, He was lifted up as they watched, and a cloud took Him out of their sight.
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Καὶ ταῦτα εἰπών, βλεπόντων αὐτῶν ἐπήρθη, καὶ νεφέλη ὑπέλαβεν αὐτὸν ἀπὸ τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν αὐτῶν.
Kai tauta eipōn, blepontōn autōn epērthē, kai nephelē hypelaben auton apo tōn ophthalmōn autōn.
While they were staring into the sky as He went, two men in white clothing suddenly stood beside them.
And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
Καὶ ὡς ἀτενίζοντες ἦσαν εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν, πορευομένου αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἰδοὺ ἄνδρες δύο παρειστήκεισαν αὐτοῖς ἐν ἐσθῆτι λευκῇ,
Kai hōs atenizontes ēsan eis ton ouranon, poreuomenou autou, kai idou andres dyo pareistēkeisan autois en esthēti leukē,
“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will return in the same way you saw Him go into heaven.”
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.
οἳ καὶ εἶπον, Ἄνδρες Γαλιλαῖοι, τί ἑστήκατε ἐμβλέποντες εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν; Οὗτος ὁ Ἰησοῦς, ὁ ἀναληφθεὶς ἀφ’ ὑμῶν εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν, οὕτως ἐλεύσεται ὃν τρόπον ἐθεάσασθε αὐτὸν πορευόμενον εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν.
hoi kai eipon, Andres Galilaioi, ti hestēkate emblepontes eis ton ouranon? Houtos ho Iēsous, ho analēphtheis aph’ hymōn eis ton ouranon, houtōs eleusetai hon tropon etheasasthe auton poreuomenon eis ton ouranon.
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives. It was near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away.
Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey.
Τότε ὑπέστρεψαν εἰς Ἱερουσαλὴμ ἀπὸ ὄρους τοῦ καλουμένου Ἐλαιῶνος, ὅ ἐστιν ἐγγὺς Ἱερουσαλήμ, σαββάτου ἔχον ὁδόν.
Tote hypestrepsan eis Hierousalēm apo orous tou kaloumenou Elaiōnos, ho estin engys Hierousalēm, sabbatou echon hodon.
When they entered the city, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.
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.
Καὶ ὅτε εἰσῆλθον, ἀνέβησαν εἰς τὸ ὑπερῷον οὗ ἦσαν καταμένοντες, ὅ τε Πέτρος καὶ Ἰάκωβος καὶ Ἰωάννης καὶ Ἀνδρέας, Φίλιππος καὶ Θωμᾶς, Βαρθολομαῖος καὶ Ματθαῖος, Ἰάκωβος Ἀλφαίου καὶ Σίμων ὁ Ζηλωτής, καὶ Ἰούδας Ἰακώβου.
Kai hote eisēlthon, anebēsan eis to hyperōon hou ēsan katamenontes, ho te Petros kai Iakōbos kai Iōannēs kai Andreas, Philippos kai Thōmas, Bartholomaios kai Matthaios, Iakōbos Alphaiou kai Simōn ho Zēlōtēs, kai Ioudas Iakōbou.
Together they devoted themselves to prayer and earnest requests to God, along with the women, Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers.
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
Οὗτοι πάντες ἦσαν προσκαρτεροῦντες ὁμοθυμαδὸν τῇ προσευχῇ καὶ τῇ δεήσει, σὺν γυναιξὶν καὶ Μαρίᾳ τῇ μητρὶ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ, καὶ σὺν τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς αὐτοῦ.
Houtoi pantes ēsan proskarterountes homothymadon tē proseuchē kai tē deēsei, syn gynaixin kai Maria tē mētri tou Iēsou, kai syn tois adelphois autou.
During those days, Peter stood among the disciples—about a hundred and twenty people were gathered—and said,
¶ 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,)
Καὶ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ταύταις ἀναστὰς Πέτρος ἐν μέσῳ τῶν μαθητῶν εἶπεν—ἦν τε ὄχλος ὀνομάτων ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ ὡς ἑκατὸν εἴκοσι—
Kai en tais hēmerais tautais anastas Petros en mesō tōn mathētōn eipen—ēn te ochlos onomatōn epi to auto hōs hekaton eikosi—
“Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled that the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand through David concerning Judas, who became the guide for those who arrested Jesus.
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.
Ἄνδρες ἀδελφοί, ἔδει πληρωθῆναι τὴν γραφὴν ταύτην, ἣν προεῖπεν τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον διὰ στόματος Δαυὶδ περὶ Ἰούδα, τοῦ γενομένου ὁδηγοῦ τοῖς συλλαβοῦσιν τὸν Ἰησοῦν.
Andres adelphoi, edei plērōthēnai tēn graphēn tautēn, hēn proeipen to pneuma to hagion dia stomatos Dauid peri Iouda, tou genomenou hodēgou tois syllabousin ton Iēsoun.
He had been counted as one of us and had received a share in this ministry.”
For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
Ὅτι κατηριθμημένος ἦν σὺν ἡμῖν, καὶ ἔλαχεν τὸν κλῆρον τῆς διακονίας ταύτης—
Hoti katērithmēmenos ēn syn hēmin, kai elachen ton klēron tēs diakonias tautēs—
This man acquired a field with the payment for his wrongdoing. Falling headfirst, his body burst open, and all his intestines spilled out.
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.
Οὗτος μὲν οὖν ἐκτήσατο χωρίον ἐκ μισθοῦ τῆς ἀδικίας, καὶ πρηνὴς γενόμενος ἐλάκησεν μέσος, καὶ ἐξεχύθη πάντα τὰ σπλάγχνα αὐτοῦ.
Houtos men oun ektēsato chōrion ek misthou tēs adikias, kai prēnēs genomenos elakēsen mesos, kai exechythē panta ta splanchna autou.
Everyone living in Jerusalem learned about it, so in their own language the field was called Akeldama, which means Field of Blood.
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.
Καὶ γνωστὸν ἐγένετο πᾶσιν τοῖς κατοικοῦσιν Ἱερουσαλήμ, ὥστε κληθῆναι τὸ χωρίον ἐκεῖνο τῇ ἰδίᾳ διαλέκτῳ αὐτῶν Ἀκελδαμά, τοῦτ’ ἔστιν, χωρίον αἵματος—
Kai gnōston egeneto pasin tois katoikousin Hierousalēm, hōste klēthēnai to chōrion ekeino tē idia dialektō autōn Akeldama, tout’ estin, chōrion haimatos—
“For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his dwelling become deserted, with no one living in it,’ and, ‘Let someone else take his place of oversight.’
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.
Γέγραπται γὰρ ἐν βίβλῳ Ψαλμῶν, Γενηθήτω ἡ ἔπαυλις αὐτοῦ ἔρημος, καὶ μὴ ἔστω ὁ κατοικῶν ἐν αὐτῇ∙ καί, Τὴν ἐπισκοπὴν αὐτοῦ λάβοι ἕτερος.
Gegraptai gar en biblō Psalmōn, Genēthētō hē epaulis autou erēmos, kai mē estō ho katoikōn en autē; kai, Tēn episkopēn autou laboi heteros.
“So we must choose one of the men who accompanied us throughout the time the Lord Jesus lived and traveled among us,
Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
Δεῖ οὖν τῶν συνελθόντων ἡμῖν ἀνδρῶν ἐν παντὶ χρόνῳ ἐν ᾧ εἰσῆλθεν καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἐφ’ ἡμᾶς ὁ κύριος Ἰησοῦς,
Dei oun tōn synelthontōn hēmin andrōn en panti chronō en hō eisēlthen kai exēlthen eph’ hēmas ho kyrios Iēsous,
beginning with John’s baptism and continuing until the day Jesus was taken up from us. One of these men must join us as a witness to His resurrection.”
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.
ἀρξάμενος ἀπὸ τοῦ βαπτίσματος Ἰωάννου, ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ἧς ἀνελήφθη ἀφ’ ἡμῶν, μάρτυρα τῆς ἀναστάσεως αὐτοῦ γενέσθαι σὺν ἡμῖν ἕνα τούτων.
arxamenos apo tou baptismatos Iōannou, heōs tēs hēmeras hēs anelēphthē aph’ hēmōn, martyra tēs anastaseōs autou genesthai syn hēmin hena toutōn.
They put forward two men: Joseph, called Barsabbas and also known as Justus, and Matthias.
And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
Καὶ ἔστησαν δύο, Ἰωσὴφ τὸν καλούμενον Βαρσαβᾶν, ὃς ἐπεκλήθη Ἰοῦστος, καὶ Ματθίαν.
Kai estēsan dyo, Iōsēph ton kaloumenon Barsaban, hos epeklēthē Ioustos, kai Matthian.
Then they prayed, “Lord, You know every heart. Show us which of these two You have chosen
And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
Καὶ προσευξάμενοι εἶπον, Σὺ κύριε καρδιογνῶστα πάντων, ἀνάδειξον ὃν ἐξελέξω, ἐκ τούτων τῶν δύο ἕνα
Kai proseuxamenoi eipon, Sy kyrie kardiognōsta pantōn, anadeixon hon exelexō, ek toutōn tōn dyo hena
to receive a share in this ministry and apostleship, which Judas abandoned to go to his own place.”
That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
λαβεῖν τὸν κλῆρον τῆς διακονίας ταύτης καὶ ἀποστολῆς, ἐξ ἧς παρέβη Ἰούδας, πορευθῆναι εἰς τὸν τόπον τὸν ἴδιον.
labein ton klēron tēs diakonias tautēs kai apostolēs, ex hēs parebē Ioudas, poreuthēnai eis ton topon ton idion.
They cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias. He was then counted among the eleven apostles.
And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Καὶ ἔδωκαν κλήρους αὐτῶν, καὶ ἔπεσεν ὁ κλῆρος ἐπὶ Ματθίαν, καὶ συγκατεψηφίσθη μετὰ τῶν ἕνδεκα ἀποστόλων.
Kai edōkan klērous autōn, kai epesen ho klēros epi Matthian, kai synkatepsēphisthē meta tōn hendeka apostolōn.