Acts 1:23
in Acts 1So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
KJV
And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
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This verse in Acts 1
Commentary
16 notes on this verseAnd they appointed two,.... The motion made by Peter was attended to by the whole company; they approved of it, and accordingly proposed two persons by name; one of which was to be chosen, not by the apostles, but by the whole assembly.
This site's exposition
they appointed two
on Acts 1:23-26
They appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas surnamed Justus, and Matthias, both apparently companions of the whole ministry and otherwise unknown to the record, a detail the bench reads as evidence the eyewitness circle around Jesus reached well beyond the Twelve. The prayer that follows addresses the Lord as the one who knows the hearts of all men and asks him, not the assembly, to shew which of the two he has chosen, the decision left with God rather than settled by debate. They gave forth their lots, a method rooted in Proverbs 16:33 and the Old Testament priesthood, and the lot fell upon Matthias: whether casting lots here models a continuing practice or belongs only to this interim before Pentecost is a question the traditions answer differently, and both readings are named without a verdict, since Acts records no lot cast again after this chapter.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers5 voices
Barsabbas and Joseph and Justus, either names of distinction or of zeal.
A commentator
Papias of HierapolisChurch History (Book III), Chapter 39, Section 9 · Written before 130.
proposed
He [Justus, surnamed Barsabbas] drank a deadly poison, and yet, by the grace of the Lord, suffered no harm.
They choose two: Joseph, surnamed the Just, and Matthias—a name, as they say, that means "God's small one" in the Hebrew language, and by calling [him, God] confirms him as humble. Oh, how different are human from heavenly judgments! He who was just according to …
"And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabus, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias." Not he appointed them: but it was he that introduced the proposition to that effect, at the same time pointing out that even this was not his own, but from old time by prophecy; so that he acted as expositor, not as preceptor. "Joseph called Barsabus, who was surnamed Justus." Perhaps both names are given, because there were others of the same name, for among the Apostles also there were several names alike; as James, and James (the son) of Alphaeus; Simon Peter, and Simon Zelotes; Judas (the brother) of James, and Judas Iscariot. The appellation, however, may have arisen from a change of life, and very likely also of the moral character. "And they appointed two," it is said. Why not many? That the feeling of disappointment might not reach further, extending to many. Again, it is not without reason that he puts Matthias last; he would show, that frequently he that is honourable among men, is inferior before God.
A commentator
Eusebius of CaesareaChurch History (Book III), Chapter 39, Sections 8-10 · Written before 339.
proposed
But it is fitting to subjoin to the words of Papias which have been quoted, other passages from his works in which he relates some other wonderful events which he claims to have received from tradition. That Philip the apostle dwelt at Hierapolis with his daughters has been already stated. But it must be noted here that Papias, their contemporary, says that he heard a wonderful tale from the daughters of Philip. For he relates that in his time one rose from the dead.
9 more voices on this verse
The Church Fathers1 voice
And they hastened to fill up the number of the apostles, for fear that the teacher's choice be as if harmed. They did not, however, appoint many, but only two alone, so that greater hopelessness would not arise from many being passed over.
The Medieval Church3 voices
Joseph who is called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. Barsabbas is interpreted as "son of rest," Matthias as "little one of God." Concerning whom Arator says: . . . . . . O how far human judgments differ from those above? He who …
And they appointed two, Joseph who was called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus. In Greek it is more detailed: And having said these things, they appointed two: Joseph who was called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. Where we in this sentence read Justus, …
"And they appointed two." Why not many? So that no great disorder would arise, and besides, the matter concerned only a few. What kind of men were they? Perhaps they were from the number of the Seventy who had been with the twelve apostles, or …
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
And they appointed two - So far the faithful could go by consulting together, but no further. Therefore here commenced the proper use of the lot, whereby a matter of importance, which cannot be determined by any ordinary method, is committed to the Divine decision.
Theophilus is put in mind, and we in him, of St. Luke's gospel, which it will be of use for us to cast an eye upon before we enter upon the study of this book, that we may not only see how this begins where that breaks off, but that, as in water face answers to face, so do the acts of the apostles to the acts of their Master, the acts of his grace.
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
And they appointed two - They proposed, or, as we should say, nominated two. Literally, they placed two, or made them to stand forth, as persons do who are candidates for office. These two were probably-more distinguished by prudence, wisdom, piety, and age than the others, and they were so nearly equal in qualifications that they could not determine which was the best suited for the office. Joseph called Barsabas ... - It is not certainly known what the name Barsabas denotes.
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
proposed
they appointed--"put up" in nomination; meaning not the Eleven but the whole company, of whom Peter was the spokesman. two--The choice would lie between a very few.
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — starts-lowercase
They appointed two - These two were probably of the number of the seventy disciples; and, in this respect, well fitted to fill up the place. It is likely that the disciples themselves were divided in opinion which of these two was the most proper person, and therefore laid the matter before God, that he might decide it by the lot. No more than two candidates were presented; probably because the attention of the brethren had been drawn to those two alone, as having been most intimately acquainted with our Lord, or in being better qualified for the work than any of the rest; but they knew not which to prefer. Joseph called Barsabas - Some MSS. read Joses Barnabas, making him the same with Joses Barnabas, Act 4:36. But the person here is distinguished from the person there, by being called Justus.
The words behind it
12 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| καὶ | kai | And | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| ἔστησαν | estesan | they put forward | G2476 → | 153 times |
| δύο, | duo | two, | G1417 → | 133 times |
| Ἰωσὴφ | ioseph | Joseph | G2501 → | 35 times |
| τὸν | ton | who | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| καλούμενον | kaloumenon | is being called | G2564 → | 147 times |
| Βαρσαββᾶν | barsabban | Barsabbas | G923 → | |
| ὃς | hos | who | G3739 → | 1405 times |
| ἐπεκλήθη | epeklethe | was called | G1941 → | 30 times |
| Ἰοῦστος | ioustos | Justus | G2459 → | |
| καὶ | kai | and | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| Μαθθίαν. | maththian | Matthias. | G3159 → |
καὶAnd
kaiG2532 →9120 times
ἔστησανthey put forward
estesanG2476 →153 times
δύο,two,
duoG1417 →133 times
ἸωσὴφJoseph
iosephG2501 →35 times
τὸνwho
tonG3588 →19766 times
καλούμενονis being called
kaloumenonG2564 →147 times
ΒαρσαββᾶνBarsabbas
barsabbanG923 →
ὃςwho
hosG3739 →1405 times
ἐπεκλήθηwas called
epekletheG1941 →30 times
ἸοῦστοςJustus
ioustosG2459 →
καὶand
kaiG2532 →9120 times
Μαθθίαν.Matthias.
maththianG3159 →
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Acts 15:22Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to select men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas called Barsabbas and Silas, two leaders among…
it leads to
- Acts 15:27
Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to tell you in person the same things we are writing.
- Acts 15:40
but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.
- Acts 15:32
Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:1
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
- 1 Peter 5:12
Through Silvanus, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.
- Acts 15:27
Through
Acts 1:26Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
it leads to
- Leviticus 16:8
After Aaron casts lots for the two goats, one for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat,
- Joshua 18:10
And Joshua cast lots for them in the presence of the LORD at Shiloh, where he distributed the land to the Israelites according to their divisions.
- Jonah 1:7
“Come!” said the sailors to one another. “Let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity that is upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah.
- Leviticus 16:8
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies12
On this verse
About Acts
Who and where
2 names in this verse with a page on the site.
- PersonPatriarchsJosephThe rejected-then-exalted son — Genesis's great Christ-type; preserver of his family and of Egypt; the bridge into Exodus.
- PersonNew TestamentMatthiasChosen by lot to replace Judas among the Twelve, on Peter's stated qualification: a man who had been with them the whole time the…
This page draws on 15 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Arator, ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 1; Bede, Commentary on Acts; Bede, Retractions on Acts; Eusebius of Caesarea, Church History (Book III), Chapter 39, Sections 8-10; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Calvin, Commentary upon the Acts of the Apostles; John Chrysostom, Homily on Acts 3; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Oecumenius, Commentary on Acts; Papias of Hierapolis, Church History (Book III), Chapter 39, Section 9 and Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Acts.