Acts 1:15

King James Version (KJV)

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,)

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

In the midst of the disciples - Μαθητων ; but instead of this, αδελφων, brethren, is the reading of ABC, a few others, with the Coptic, Ethiopic, Armenian, and Vulgate. This seems the best reading, because of what immediately follows; for it was not among the disciples merely that he stood, but among the whole company, which amounted to one hundred and twenty. It is remarkable that this was the number which the Jews required to form a council in any city; and it is likely that in reference to this the disciples had gathered together, with themselves, the number of one hundred and twenty, chosen out of the many who had been already converted by the ministry of our Lord, the twelve disciples, and the seventy-two whom he had sent forth to preach, Luke 10:1, etc., thus they formed a complete council in presence of which the important business of electing a person in the place of Judas was to be transacted.

Was this helpful?

Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

In those days - On one of the days intervening between the ascension of Jesus and the day of Pentecost.

Peter stood up - Peter standing up, or rising. This is a customary expression in the Scriptures when one begins to do a thing, Luke 15:18. The reason why Peter did this may be seen in the notes on Matthew 16:16-17. It is not improbable, besides, that Peter was the most aged of the apostles; and from his uniform conduct we know that he was the most ardent. It was perfectly characteristic, therefore, for him to introduce the business of the election of a new apostle.

The disciples - This was the name, which was given to them as being learners in the school of Christ. See the notes on Matthew 5:1.

The number of the names - The number of the persons, or individuals. The word “name” is often used to denote “the person,” Revelation 3:4; Acts 4:12; Acts 18:15; Ephesians 1:21. In Syriac it is, “The assembly of people was about an hundred and twenty.” This was the first assembly convened to transact the business of the church; and it is not a little remarkable that the vote in so important a matter as electing apostle was by the entire church. It settles the question that the election of a minister and pastor should be by the church, and that a pastor should not be placed over a church by a patron, or by an ecclesiastical body. If a case could ever occur where it would be right and proper that one should be selected to exercise the office of a minister of Christ by the ministry only, the election of one to fall the office of an apostle was such a case. And yet in this the entire church had a voice. Whether this was all the true church at this time does not appear from the history. This expression cannot mean that there were no more Christians, but that these were all that had convened in the upper room. It is certain that our Saviour had, by his own ministry, brought many others to be his true followers. Compare 1 Corinthians 15:6.

Was this helpful?

Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

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 God should choose his own servants; and so far as he, by the disposals of his providence, or the gifts of his Spirit, shows whom he was chosen, or what he has chosen for us, we ought to fall in with his will. Let us own his hand in the determining everything which befalls us, especially in those by which any trust may be committed to us.

Was this helpful?

SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

15. Those days. Between the ascension and Pentecost. The ascension came forty days after the resurrection (v. 3). Thus ten days were left until Pentecost, the “fiftieth,” the day of the Feast of Weeks (see on Lev. 23:16; Acts 2:1). See Vol. V, p. 233.

Peter. For his calling, position, and character see on Mark 3:14-16. The lessons he had received from Jesus (Luke 22:32; John 21:15-17; see DA 812, 815) now bear good fruit. His natural gifts have been sanctified through conversion, and he emerges as a leader in the church. But there is nothing dictatorial in his guidance. He stimulates his brethren to concerted action, and subsequent decisions come from the whole group and not from one man. He takes a prominent part in early church affairs. His is the only Pentecostal sermon that is recorded (Acts 2:14-40), and other sermons of his receive special notice (chs. 3:12-26; 4:8-12; 10:34-43). He, with John, performed the first miracle of healing recorded in Acts (ch. 3:1-11), and his miraculous powers are specially mentioned (chs. 5:15; 9:32-41). He plays the chief part in rebuking Ananias and Sapphira (ch. 5:3-11). It is clear that he held a leading position in the early church, but he disappears from Luke’s record after ch. 15:7, and attention is then focused on Paul. For a discussion of the supposed supremacy of Peter see on Matt. 14:28; 16:16-19.

The disciples. Important textual evidence may be cited (cf. p. 10) for the reading “the brethren” (not to be restricted to Christ’s brethren only, as in v. 14, for there were about 120 persons present). The occasion was obviously a formal meeting, called for the election of a twelfth apostle to take the place of Judas Iscariot.

Number of names. Literally, “crowd of names,” that is, group of persons.

Hundred and twenty. The word “about” indicates that this was an approximate figure, but the group is large enough to form a firm foundation for the young church in Jerusalem. The number does not include all those who believed, for “above five hundred brethren” saw Christ after His resurrection (1 Cor. 15:6).

Was this helpful?

Ellen G. White
The Story of Redemption, 241-2

This chapter is based on Acts 2:1.

When Jesus opened the understanding of the disciples to the meaning of the prophecies concerning Himself, He assured them that all power was given Him in heaven and on earth, and bade them go preach the gospel to every creature. The disciples, with a sudden revival of their old hope that Jesus would take His place upon the throne of David at Jerusalem, inquired, “Wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” Acts 1:6. The Saviour threw an uncertainty over their minds in regard to the subject by replying that it was not for them “to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power.” Acts 1:7. SR 241.1

Read in context »

Was this helpful?

Cross References

Peter