Acts 1:15 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,)

Acts 1:15 nkjv

And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said,

Acts 1:15 niv

In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty)

Acts 1:15 esv

In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said,

Acts 1:15 nlt

During this time, when about 120 believers were together in one place, Peter stood up and addressed them.

Acts 1 verses

Acts 1 15 Meaning

In Acts 1:15, after the ascension of Jesus and before the day of Pentecost, Peter steps forward as a leader among the approximately one hundred and twenty disciples gathered. This verse describes the initial community of believers in Jerusalem, indicating Peter's re-established authority and the readiness of the early church to take collective action, specifically in preparing to replace Judas and await the Holy Spirit. It marks the first numerical count of the nascent church, highlighting its identity as a unified, distinct body awaiting divine empowerment.

Acts 1 15 Context

Acts 1:15 occurs during a pivotal transitional period for the nascent Christian church. Jesus has just ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9-11), instructing His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4). This verse describes the believers gathered in unified anticipation and prayer (Acts 1:14) in the upper room. Peter, having been restored by Jesus post-resurrection (John 21), naturally steps into a leadership role among this initial assembly, demonstrating his recovered authority and responsibility. The specific count of "about a hundred and twenty" persons underscores the numerical foundation of the early church as a viable and recognized community before the massive growth witnessed at Pentecost in Acts 2. The immediate context following this verse details Peter's initiative to choose a replacement for Judas Iscariot (Acts 1:16-26), illustrating the practical governance and spiritual ordering of the first church assembly under apostolic guidance.

Acts 1 15 Word analysis

• In those days (ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ταύταις - en tais hēmerais tautais): This temporal phrase signifies the period immediately following Jesus' ascension and preceding Pentecost. Luke often uses such markers to establish the chronological flow of events, emphasizing continuity in God's redemptive plan. It connects this gathering to the previous instructions and promises of Jesus.

• Peter (Πέτρος - Petros): The Greek form of the name Simon, meaning "rock." Peter is prominently presented here taking the lead, reinforcing his leadership role affirmed by Jesus (Matt 16:18-19, John 21:15-17) after his earlier denial. His initiative highlights his return to prominence within the apostolic band.

• stood up (ἀναστὰς - anastas): Aorist active participle of anistēmi. This term often implies rising to take action, speak, or assume a position of authority or initiative. It conveys a sense of decisive action, contrasting with passive waiting. Peter assumes leadership proactively.

• among the disciples (ἐν μέσῳ τῶν μαθητῶν - en mesō tōn mathētōn): Literally "in the midst of the disciples." This indicates an informal but communal setting. Mathētōn refers to all believers present, not just the eleven remaining apostles, showcasing that Peter's address was to the broader body of Christ. It emphasizes Peter's authority was acknowledged within the collective.

• a crowd (ὄχλος - ochlos): Although sometimes used for a less organized "multitude," here in context with "of names," it means a specific aggregate group of people. Luke's use of a parenthetical statement to provide a precise number shows a deliberate desire to establish the concrete reality and initial size of this assembly.

• of about a hundred and twenty (ὡσεὶ ἑκατὸν εἴκοσι - hōsei hekaton eikosi): This numerical precision (120 individuals) is significant. In Jewish tradition, 120 (specifically elders) was a number often associated with the size required for a Lesser Sanhedrin, or a legitimate communal gathering sufficient for judicial and ecclesiastical decisions, even though a direct equivalent to a Christian assembly is anachronistic. It implies a substantial and viable community, forming the nucleus of the burgeoning church and a body large enough to constitute a self-governing entity or a "church council." It also links symbolically to multiples of 12 (12 apostles x 10), reflecting the renewed "Israel of God."

• persons (ὀνομάτων - onomatōn): Literally "names." This is a Hebrew idiom (nephashot, shemot) used to refer to individuals or a count of people (e.g., Num 1:2, Gen 46:27). Using "names" rather than simply "people" can imply individuals identified or recorded, similar to the "Book of Life" (Rev 3:5), hinting at their distinct identity as a part of God's people.

• was there together (ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτό - epi to auto): This phrase, meaning "in the same place" or "unto the same thing," signifies not just physical proximity but also unity of purpose and spirit. It sets the stage for the powerful demonstration of unity and collective presence when the Holy Spirit descends at Pentecost (Acts 2:1), using the exact same phrase. It highlights the assembly's cohesion.

Acts 1 15 Bonus section

The number "120" may hold further significance beyond merely reporting a count. Some scholars propose it could reflect:

• Symbolic completeness: 10 (perfection, completeness) times 12 (tribes of Israel, apostles). This implies a renewed and perfectly ordered Israel as the church.
• Minyan connections: While a traditional minyan is 10 for communal prayer, some rabbinic sources indicate a need for a larger number for a judicial body (a Lesser Sanhedrin of 23), or for setting up certain schools (120 scholars in tradition about Yavne). While direct parallels are anachronistic, the number hints at a robust, legitimate assembly with capacity for important decisions.
• Theocratic Body: Luke's detailed numbering throughout Acts establishes the historical authenticity and rapid growth of the church. This initial "120" is presented as the solid core of disciples who witnessed Jesus' ministry from the beginning and would form the legitimate, authoritative core of the first assembly, demonstrating their readiness for collective decision-making (such as choosing Matthias). This number marks them as a proper gathering to receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2).

Acts 1 15 Commentary

Acts 1:15 serves as a critical bridge between Jesus' ascension and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It highlights Peter's emergent leadership within the early Christian community, signifying his restoration and the church's divine order. Luke’s parenthetical note about "about a hundred and twenty persons" emphasizes the foundational numerical size of the nascent church, showing it as a substantial and cohesive body capable of taking action. This specific number holds symbolic weight in Jewish communal decision-making. The gathering "together" speaks to the nascent church's unity of purpose and anticipation, setting the stage for the unified reception of the Holy Spirit. This scene exemplifies the church's practical governance under apostolic authority even before Pentecost. For instance, the promptness of Peter to address the Judas vacancy shows initiative rooted in prophetic understanding and the necessity for the twelve apostolic foundation (Acts 1:16-26).