Acts 1:16 kjv

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.

Acts 1:16 nkjv

"Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus;

Acts 1:16 niv

and said, "Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus.

Acts 1:16 esv

"Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.

Acts 1:16 nlt

"Brothers," he said, "the Scriptures had to be fulfilled concerning Judas, who guided those who arrested Jesus. This was predicted long ago by the Holy Spirit, speaking through King David.

Acts 1 verses

Acts 1 16 Meaning

Acts 1:16 states Peter's declaration to the gathered disciples: that the betrayal and demise of Judas were not random unfortunate events but were, in fact, preordained fulfillments of specific Old Testament prophecies, spoken by the Holy Spirit through King David. This emphasizes God's sovereign control over even the most tragic human actions, demonstrating the predictive and divine authority of Scripture, and reaffirming the continuity of God's plan from ancient times through Christ's mission.

Acts 1 16 Context

Acts 1:16 is delivered by Peter in the assembly of believers (about 120 people) shortly after Jesus' ascension and before the day of Pentecost. The disciples are in Jerusalem, waiting for the promised Holy Spirit. Amidst this period of anticipation and transition, Peter, acting as a leader, addresses the unexpected vacancy in the apostolic band caused by Judas's betrayal and death. He seeks to make sense of this difficult event, not as a random misfortune, but as part of God's larger divine plan, specifically connecting it to Old Testament prophecy. This context highlights the early church's reliance on Scripture to interpret current events, affirm God's sovereignty, and establish a course of action for moving forward, particularly in leadership succession.

Acts 1 16 Word analysis

• "Brothers" (Greek: adelphoi): A warm, affectionate, and inclusive term of address among those in a common bond of faith. It signifies familial connection within the early Christian community, emphasizing their unity despite recent traumatic events.

• "the Scripture" (Greek: hē graphē): Refers specifically to the Old Testament, which was regarded by Jewish believers as the inspired and authoritative word of God. The definite article emphasizes its singular, divinely established nature.

• "had to be fulfilled" (Greek: edei plērōthēnai): The Greek verb edei ("it was necessary" or "it was expedient") indicates a divine necessity or ordination, rather than a mere obligation or possibility. It signifies that Judas's actions, however tragic, were an inevitable part of God's sovereign plan, working toward the fulfillment of His promises. The passive infinitive plērōthēnai ("to be fulfilled") stresses that the prophecy was completed or brought to its intended conclusion by God.

• "which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand" (Greek: ho prospipen to Pneuma to Hagion): This is a crucial theological statement on biblical inspiration. It unequivocally attributes the prophetic utterances not merely to human authors but to the direct pre-inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This highlights that Scripture is ultimately God-breathed and carries divine authority.

• "by the mouth of David" (Greek: dia stomatos Dauid): David is identified as the human instrument or mouthpiece through whom the Holy Spirit delivered these prophecies, primarily found in the Psalms. This affirms David's role as a prophet chosen by God.

• "concerning Judas" (Greek: peri Iouda): Explicitly links the ancient prophecies (especially Ps 69 and Ps 109) to a specific historical individual and event, demonstrating the precise and particular nature of divine foresight.

• "who became a guide" (Greek: ho genomenos hodēgos): The term hodēgos literally means "one who shows the way" or "a leader," often used in a positive sense. Here, its application to Judas's treacherous act of leading the mob to Jesus carries a dark, ironic, and tragic undertone, describing his specific role in the betrayal.

• "to those who arrested Jesus" (Greek: tois syllabousin Iēsou): This phrase succinctly defines Judas's specific criminal role, emphasizing his active involvement in the apprehension of Jesus.

• "The Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David": This phrase encapsulates a fundamental theological truth of the early church: the absolute certainty and divine origin of prophecy. It showcases the hermeneutic by which the apostles understood the continuity between the Old Covenant and the New, establishing that contemporary events, even devastating ones, fit within God's sovereign, pre-written narrative. This underlines the profound unity of the Bible.

Acts 1 16 Bonus section

• Problem of Evil and Sovereignty: This verse implicitly touches upon the theological tension between God's sovereignty/foreknowledge and human free will/culpability. Peter's assertion that it "had to be fulfilled" implies divine orchestration, yet the subsequent narrative (and indeed the entire New Testament) holds Judas fully accountable for his treachery, demonstrating that God's plan does not negate human responsibility.
• Early Christian Hermeneutic: The apostles, guided by the Holy Spirit (which they would soon receive more fully), had a consistent approach to interpreting current events through the lens of ancient prophecy. This established a critical pattern for biblical interpretation within the early church, showing how the Old Testament illuminates and confirms the New.
• The Apostolic Office: By immediately addressing the need to replace Judas, Peter highlights the non-negotiable significance of the number twelve for the apostolic band, symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel and signifying the re-establishment of God's people under the new covenant. This verse sets the stage for Matthias's selection, which follows immediately.

Acts 1 16 Commentary

Acts 1:16 is a foundational text demonstrating the early church's deep theological understanding and Peter's emerging leadership. Faced with the traumatic void left by Judas's apostasy and suicide, Peter grounds the event in divine necessity, not mere tragedy. He does not apologize for or explain away Judas's betrayal but interprets it as a precise fulfillment of prophecy, thereby asserting God's unchanging sovereignty over human choices and historical outcomes. The verse stresses the dual authorship of Scripture – the Holy Spirit as the divine orchestrator and human agents like David as willing instruments. This serves not only to explain Judas's fate but also to validate the authority of Old Testament Scripture for the early believers, offering comfort and direction in a time of uncertainty. It transitions the community from focusing on Judas's sin to discerning God's ongoing plan for the apostolic office.