Acts 1:20 kjv

For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.

Acts 1:20 nkjv

"For it is written in the Book of Psalms: 'Let his dwelling place be desolate, And let no one live in it'; and, 'Let another take his office.'

Acts 1:20 niv

"For," said Peter, "it is written in the Book of Psalms: "?'May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,' and, "?'May another take his place of leadership.'

Acts 1:20 esv

"For it is written in the Book of Psalms, "'May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it'; and "'Let another take his office.'

Acts 1:20 nlt

Peter continued, "This was written in the book of Psalms, where it says, 'Let his home become desolate, with no one living in it.' It also says, 'Let someone else take his position.'

Acts 1 verses

Acts 1 20 Meaning

Acts 1:20 quotes two passages from the Old Testament Psalms to provide divine justification and prophetic precedent for the necessity of replacing Judas Iscariot as one of the twelve apostles. The first part, from Psalm 69:25, prophesies desolation upon the enemy's dwelling, interpreted by Peter as referring to Judas' fate and abandoned property. The second part, from Psalm 109:8, declares that another should take the enemy's office, directly validating the selection of a successor to Judas' unique apostolic position. This verse highlights God's sovereign plan, even in the midst of betrayal, and the scriptural foundation for the nascent church's decisions.

Acts 1 20 Context

Acts 1:20 is situated within the immediate aftermath of Jesus' ascension to heaven and the period of waiting for the promised Holy Spirit, as commanded by the Lord. Peter, as a leader among the 120 disciples gathered in Jerusalem, addresses the assembly concerning the critical issue of Judas Iscariot's betrayal and subsequent death. The broader chapter context establishes the continuity of God's plan through Christ's ministry, ascension, and the empowering of the disciples for worldwide witness. Peter's reliance on Scripture, particularly the Psalms, demonstrates the early church's firm belief that all events, even the darkest betrayals, were part of God's overarching redemptive narrative, foreseen and ordained in the Old Testament. The historical context reflects a Jewish culture deeply steeped in scriptural interpretation, where prophetic fulfillment was key to understanding divine action. For the original audience, Peter's argument would resonate powerfully, confirming that even the seemingly scandalous event of Judas' treachery aligned with God's perfect plan and authoritative word, thereby justifying the immediate and necessary task of replacing him to maintain the symbolic and functional integrity of the twelve apostolic witnesses.

Acts 1 20 Word analysis

• For it is written (γέγραπται - gegraptai): Perfect passive indicative of graphō ("to write"). Signifies a statement that "stands written" or "it has been written and remains written." This emphasizes the permanence, authority, and divine origin of the scriptural utterance, underscoring its binding nature. Peter's argument is rooted in the unchanging word of God.
• in the book (βίβλῳ - biblō): Refers to the compiled sacred texts, specifically the collection known as the Psalms. This denotes a specific, recognized, and authoritative source for Peter's claim.
• of Psalms (Ψαλμῶν - Psalmōn): The plural form indicates the collection of lyrical or devotional compositions. Peter draws from more than one Psalm, showing a holistic view of the scriptures anticipating current events.
• Let his habitation (ἔπαυλις - epaulis): This Greek term from Ps 69:25 (LXX) means "dwelling," "camp," "homestead," or "abode." It refers to Judas's specific dwelling or place of possession that would become desolate, possibly alluding to the field he bought. The imperative "Let" indicates a judicial or prophetic pronouncement.
• be desolate (ἔρημος - eremos): Means "deserted," "uninhabited," "lonely," or "waste." In this context, it implies abandonment and ruin, aligning with the outcome of Judas' life and his possessions as described in Acts 1:18-19.
• and let no one live in it: This clause reinforces the intensity of the desolation, emphasizing utter abandonment.
• and Let another (ἄλλος - allos): Means "another of the same kind." This explicitly points to the need for a replacement, not merely a void.
• take (λάβοι - laboi): From lambanō, "to take," "receive," or "assume." The optative mood suggests a wish or desire, often used in Septuagint for imperative prophetic pronouncements.
• his office (ἐπισκοπήν - episkopēn): From episkopos, meaning "oversight," "superintendence," "visitation," "office," or "position." This is a crucial term, indicating the specific role, responsibility, and authority held by Judas as an apostle. It is the very term used in the Septuagint for Ps 109:8 (Ps 108:8 LXX), establishing a direct linguistic link to Peter's theological point that an "oversight" position must be filled.

Words-group analysis:

• "For it is written in the book of Psalms...": This introductory phrase immediately grounds the discussion in biblical authority. Peter's reasoning is not human expediency but divine imperative as revealed in Scripture. This reflects the early church's foundational commitment to the Old Testament as God's revealed word, which prophesied Christ and his saving work, even the circumstances surrounding Judas's downfall.
• "'Let his habitation be desolate, and let no one live in it'": This quotation from Psalm 69:25 (a lament concerning enemies of the righteous one) is applied by Peter to Judas. This shows a messianic or prophetic hermeneutic, where specific parts of the Psalms were understood to prefigure aspects of Christ's experience and the fate of His enemies. It affirms the punitive outcome for betrayal and that such events are not outside God's purview.
• "and 'Let another take his office.'": This quotation from Psalm 109:8 (an imprecatory psalm calling for judgment on a wicked individual) is applied by Peter as a direct command for apostolic succession. The use of "office" (episkopēn) here elevates Judas's position beyond mere discipleship to one of distinct apostolic oversight and responsibility. This part of the verse directly justifies the church's decision to appoint a replacement, thereby maintaining the symbolic and functional number of the twelve apostles who were chosen by Jesus and served as foundational witnesses.

Acts 1 20 Bonus section

The way Peter applies these Psalms (69 and 109) illustrates early Christian hermeneutics, often seeing various Psalms as implicitly or directly prophetic of Messiah and those related to Him. This is not always a literal, one-to-one prophecy, but a Spirit-guided reinterpretation within the broader context of Christ's suffering, triumph, and the fate of His adversaries. This theological understanding shows that Judas's actions, while heinous, did not thwart God's ultimate plan but inadvertently served it by setting the stage for Peter to declare Scripture's fulfillment. This concept highlights God's overarching purpose prevailing even through human wickedness, a theme seen repeatedly in Scripture (e.g., Gen 50:20 concerning Joseph and his brothers, or the crucifixion itself in Acts 2:23). The filling of the "office" emphasizes the structured, divine order God desired for His early church's leadership, rooted in a chosen twelve, foundational to its mission and identity.

Acts 1 20 Commentary

Acts 1:20 serves as a pivotal passage articulating the theological conviction of the early church regarding God's sovereignty and the enduring authority of Scripture. Peter’s reliance on two distinct Psalm passages to explain and justify the replacement of Judas demonstrates a deeply ingrained method of understanding contemporary events through the lens of ancient prophecy.

The first citation from Psalm 69:25 ("Let his habitation be desolate, and let no one live in it") points to the tragic outcome of Judas’s betrayal, not merely as an accidental death, but as a divinely purposed judgment. This highlights the severe consequence of rejecting Christ and underscores that even betrayal by a close associate was anticipated in God's eternal plan. This segment would be understood by the audience as God's righteous verdict on those who stand against His Messiah.

The second citation, Psalm 109:8 ("Let another take his office"), directly legitimizes the church's initiative to choose a successor. The term "office" (episkopēn) is significant, identifying Judas's role as one of distinct oversight and authority among the apostles. Peter, under divine inspiration, connects the historical context of a wicked person in the Psalm to Judas, thereby fulfilling this prophetic word in a precise and profound way. The urgency in replacing Judas was not just to fill a number, but to restore the full complement of foundational witnesses for the burgeoning church, especially for its mission to "all Israel" and to be witnesses "to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). The early believers did not act out of human expediency but sought biblical guidance, seeing divine ordination in even the most painful of events.

This verse emphasizes that the apostolic role was both essential and divinely ordained, requiring a succession if one fell. It sets a precedent for the importance of spiritual leadership and adherence to biblical patterns within the Christian community, affirming God’s unfolding plan even through the complexities of human sin and redemption.