Acts 1:13 kjv
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.
Acts 1:13 nkjv
And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James.
Acts 1:13 niv
When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.
Acts 1:13 esv
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.
Acts 1:13 nlt
When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying. Here are the names of those who were present: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the zealot), and Judas (son of James).
Acts 1 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text (Shortened) | Reference (Note) |
|---|---|---|
| Lk 24:49 | And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until... | Jesus commands disciples to wait for the Spirit. |
| Acts 1:4 | And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait... | Direct command to wait in Jerusalem. |
| Acts 1:12 | Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet... | Context: They return to Jerusalem, fulfilling instruction. |
| Acts 1:14 | These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. | Immediate context: Details their activity (prayer) and wider company. |
| Acts 2:1-4 | And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound... | The Pentecost event in the same location (implied upper room). |
| Lk 22:12 | And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. | Last Supper held in a large upper room, possibly the same one. |
| Mk 14:15 | And he will show you a large upper room furnished and prepared; there make ready for us. | Synoptic account of the upper room for the Passover. |
| Jn 20:19 | Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus... | Post-resurrection appearance to disciples in a closed room, likely an upper room. |
| Acts 9:37 | ...when he had washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber. | Example of another 'upper room' (hyperōon) used in early church. |
| Acts 20:8 | And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. | Another instance of 'upper room' as a meeting place for teaching. |
| Mt 10:2-4 | Now the names of the twelve apostles are these... | Gospel list of the twelve apostles (similar, shows consistency). |
| Mk 3:16-19 | And Simon he surnamed Peter... | Gospel list of the twelve apostles (another comparison point). |
| Lk 6:14-16 | Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother... | Gospel list of the twelve apostles (shows slight variations). |
| Acts 6:2 | Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said... | The continuing function and authority of the 'Twelve' are seen later. |
| Acts 2:42 | And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. | Illustrates the early church's devotion, following the apostles' leadership. |
| Acts 4:31 | And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled... | Early church prayer in a gathering place, illustrating power. |
| Eph 2:20 | And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone. | The theological foundation laid by the apostles for the Church. |
| Rev 21:14 | And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. | Prophetic reference to the permanent role of the twelve apostles. |
| 1 Cor 15:5 | And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve. | Jesus' post-resurrection appearances to "the twelve." |
| Jer 35:2 | Go unto the house of the Rechabites, and speak unto them, and bring them into the house of the Lord, into one of the chambers... | Old Testament reference to "chambers" (lāškôt) or rooms for spiritual assembly or habitation. |
| Eze 8:12 | Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? | Example of specific rooms used for significant, albeit wrong, activities. |
| Mt 18:20 | For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. | Principle of Christ's presence in gathered believers, reflecting the spirit of the upper room. |
| Php 2:2 | Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. | Theme of unity among believers, mirroring the apostles in the upper room. |
Acts 1 verses
Acts 1 13 Meaning
Acts 1:13 details the specific location and the key individuals—the eleven apostles—who gathered in Jerusalem after Jesus' ascension. They went into an upper room, a designated place where they were staying, united in obedience to Christ's command to await the Holy Spirit. This verse underscores the apostolic core's unity and preparation for their divinely appointed mission, laying the groundwork for the foundational events of the early church.
Acts 1 13 Context
Acts chapter 1 bridges the period between Jesus' resurrection, His ascension, and the dawn of the Christian Church. Following Christ's post-resurrection appearances and final instructions to await the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5, 8), Jesus ascends to heaven from the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:9-11). Verse 12 records the disciples' immediate obedience by returning to Jerusalem, as instructed. Verse 13 then precisely locates them and names the specific individuals, establishing the core group that would lead the early community in its waiting and subsequent mission. This gathering place, likely familiar to them from previous Passover or other significant gatherings, becomes the cradle of the nascent church, preceding the pivotal event of Pentecost.
Acts 1 13 Word analysis
- And when they were come in: Signifies a purposeful arrival after their journey from the Mount of Olives. This highlights their obedience to Jesus' command to return to Jerusalem.
- they went up: Implies ascending to a higher level. This motion contrasts with Jesus' ascension but indicates their own movement into an elevated, distinct space.
- into an upper room: Greek: hyperōon (ὑπερῷον). Refers to an upper story or chamber in a house. These were often large, well-lit spaces, sometimes rented or owned for specific gatherings. Historically, the hyperōon was distinct from ground-level rooms and might offer privacy and quiet, making it suitable for prayer and communal living. This same type of room likely hosted the Last Supper (Lk 22:12) and became the site of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). It suggests a place of chosen separation and spiritual preparation.
- where abode: Greek: ēsan katoikountes (ἦσαν κατοικοῦντες), literally "they were dwelling" or "staying." This indicates that it was not merely a temporary stop but a more settled habitation for these days of waiting, emphasizing their communal living and sustained presence together.
- 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:
- Peter, James, and John: These three often formed an "inner circle" closest to Jesus during His ministry (e.g., at the Transfiguration, Garden of Gethsemane). Their prominence is maintained.
- Andrew: Peter's brother, one of the first disciples called by Jesus.
- Philip: Known for his direct invitation to Nathanael (Bartholomew) and asking Jesus to show them the Father.
- Thomas: Famous for his doubt after the resurrection but ultimately confessed Jesus as Lord.
- Bartholomew: Traditionally identified with Nathanael from Cana, brought to Jesus by Philip.
- Matthew: The tax collector, author of the first Gospel.
- James the son of Alphaeus: Often referred to as "James the Less" to distinguish him from James, son of Zebedee (John's brother, listed here earlier).
- Simon Zelotes: "Simon the Zealot." His past affiliation with a politically motivated Jewish nationalist group highlights the diverse backgrounds united within the apostolic band by Christ.
- Judas the brother of James: This is Jude, distinct from Judas Iscariot the betrayer. He is traditionally identified with Thaddeus (in some Gospel lists) or the author of the epistle of Jude.
- Significance of the list: This enumeration confirms the specific membership of the apostolic body (now eleven, following Judas Iscariot's departure) that was divinely commissioned by Christ. Their unity in this specific place underscores their collective leadership and shared expectation as the foundation of the burgeoning church. They are presented as a united, cohesive group, awaiting divine empowerment to fulfill their commission as witnesses.
Acts 1 13 Bonus section
- The upper room (hyperōon) in Acts becomes a potent symbol not only of the birth of the Church at Pentecost but also of continued corporate prayer and spiritual renewal for the early believers (Acts 4:31). It illustrates the practice of set-apart spaces for communal spiritual activity.
- While verse 13 lists only the apostles, Acts 1:14 clarifies that others—including the women who followed Jesus, Mary His mother, and His brothers—were also gathered in "one accord" for prayer, broadening the picture of the early praying community around the apostles. This distinction underscores that v.13 specifically details the authoritative, commissioned eleven apostles who were physically abiding there.
- The diverse backgrounds of the apostles, including a tax collector and a zealot, foreshadow the unifying power of the Holy Spirit to bring together individuals of vastly different socio-political and personal histories into one body, consecrated to God's mission.
- The methodical listing of names reaffirms the direct succession from Christ's personal selection, validating their authority for the burgeoning church and for the subsequent election of Matthias (Acts 1:15-26).
Acts 1 13 Commentary
Acts 1:13 paints a vital scene of assembly, obedience, and anticipation for the early Christian community. After witnessing Jesus' ascension, the eleven apostles, the very core chosen by Christ, dutifully returned to Jerusalem. Their destination, "an upper room," was not just any location, but likely a specific, familiar, and established gathering place, suggesting continuity with past events like the Last Supper. The meticulous naming of each apostle—Peter leading, followed by familiar names, and those with distinctive identities like "Simon Zelotes" and "Judas the brother of James"—emphasizes the historical grounding and the unity of this diverse, yet foundational, group. Their dwelling in this shared space signifies a committed community awaiting the promised Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4), setting the stage for Pentecost and the explosive growth of the Church. This deliberate gathering highlights the importance of unified obedience, dedicated waiting, and collective readiness among Christ's followers. It demonstrates that the formation of the Church began with an organized, expectant body of leaders, praying together and waiting for divine power before embarking on their global mission.