Acts 1:22 kjv

Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

Acts 1:22 nkjv

beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection."

Acts 1:22 niv

beginning from John's baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection."

Acts 1:22 esv

beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us ? one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection."

Acts 1:22 nlt

from the time he was baptized by John until the day he was taken from us. Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus' resurrection."

Acts 1 verses

Acts 1 22 Meaning

Acts 1:22 sets the critical parameters for the selection of a new apostle to replace Judas Iscariot. The individual must have been a continuous eyewitness to Jesus' entire public ministry, from the initiation by John the Baptist until the Ascension, to bear authoritative testimony specifically to Jesus' resurrection. This requirement underscores the indispensable role of firsthand accounts in validating the foundational truths of the Christian faith and the apostolic office.

Acts 1 22 Context

Acts 1:22 is found in the very first chapter of the book of Acts, following Jesus' ascension and His final instructions to His disciples. The verse is part of Peter's address to the approximately 120 disciples gathered after Jesus' departure. Peter explains the prophetic necessity of Judas Iscariot's replacement and outlines the stringent qualifications for the new apostle. The immediate context, Acts 1:15-26, describes the period between the Ascension and Pentecost, where the early community consolidates and prepares for their mission. Historically, the selection process highlights the gravity and specific nature of the apostolic office as established by Christ, distinct from general Christian ministry. This specific criteria ensures a living, authoritative link to Jesus' earthly life and a continuous line of eyewitness testimony to His ministry, death, and particularly, His resurrection. The need for a "witness of his resurrection" underlines that the resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian faith and preaching.

Acts 1 22 Word analysis

• beginning: ἀρξάμενος (arxamenos) - A participle indicating the start of an ongoing event or period. It points to the initial phase of Jesus' public ministry.
• from the baptism: ἀπὸ τοῦ βαπτίσματος (apo tou baptismatos) - Specifies the inaugural event. This refers to Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist, marking the official commencement of Jesus' public ministry (Mk 1:9-11, Lk 3:21-22). This was a well-known starting point for the gospel narratives.
• of John: Ἰωάννου (Iōannou) - Refers to John the Baptist. His baptism was widely recognized and signaled a turning point, preparing the way for Christ (Mal 3:1, Isa 40:3).
• until: ἄχρι (achri) - Marks the duration or extent of the accompanying period, indicating a continuous presence.
• the day that: τῆς ἡμέρας ἧς (tēs hēmeras hēs) - A precise temporal marker, highlighting the specific event of Jesus' final departure.
• he was taken up: ἀνελήμφθη (anelēmphthē) - Aorist passive indicative of ἀναλαμβάνω (analambanō), meaning "to take up," "to lift up." This is the precise term used for the Ascension of Jesus into heaven (Acts 1:2, 9, 11, 22). It emphasizes a divine action rather than a human ascent.
• from us: ἀφ’ ἡμῶν (aph’ hēmōn) - Clearly states that the witnesses were present and directly observed the Ascension, the final event defining the scope of their eyewitness ministry.
• one of these: ἕνα τούτων (hena toutōn) - Singular form, emphasizing the choice of a single replacement from among the group who fit the criteria. This points to the apostolic office as distinct and having a specific number (originally twelve).
• must become: γενέσθαι δεῖ (genesthai dei) - Δεῖ (dei) implies divine necessity or inevitability, not merely a human preference (e.g., Lk 24:7, Acts 3:21). The selection of a twelfth apostle was seen as a fulfillment of divine purpose (Acts 1:20 citing Psa 69:25, Psa 109:8).
• a witness: μάρτυρα (martyra) - Accusative form of μάρτυς (martys), meaning "a witness." This term signifies someone who testifies from personal knowledge or experience. The primary role of an apostle was to be a direct, reliable witness.
• with us: σὺν ἡμῖν (syn hēmin) - Implies a collective testimony; the new apostle would join the existing eleven in their shared witness.
• of his resurrection: τῆς ἀναστάσεως αὐτοῦ (tēs anastaseōs autou) - Genitive noun, specifying the central subject of the witness. The resurrection was the absolute pinnacle and validation of Jesus' ministry and person (Rom 1:4, 1 Cor 15:14, 17). It was the foundational truth upon which all apostolic preaching rested.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "beginning from the baptism of John until the day that he was taken up from us": This phrase establishes the temporal and observational parameters for apostleship. It defines the specific period of Jesus' public ministry, encompassing all major events from its initiation by John the Baptist's witness and the Holy Spirit's anointing (Lk 3:21-22) to the glorious Ascension (Acts 1:9-11). This continuous period of accompaniment ensures comprehensive understanding and personal attestation of Jesus' words, deeds, miracles, suffering, death, and resurrection appearances.
• "one of these must become a witness with us": This highlights the need for direct replacement and continuity of the apostolic witness. The number "twelve" had symbolic significance in relation to the twelve tribes of Israel (Matt 19:28; Rev 21:14), representing the reconstituted people of God. The "must" (dei) underscores divine orchestration in the selection, indicating it was God's plan.
• "of his resurrection": This is the singular, ultimate focus of the required testimony. While general accompaniment to Jesus' entire ministry was necessary, the ability to personally attest to Jesus' resurrection was paramount. This truth was the linchpin of the early Christian message, demonstrating Christ's victory over death and validating all His claims (1 Cor 15:14, Rom 1:4). The resurrection guaranteed His ongoing lordship and formed the basis for the disciples' preaching and hope.

Acts 1 22 Bonus section

The term "witness" (μάρτυς, martys) eventually became the root for "martyr," because early Christian witnesses often had to seal their testimony with their lives. The divine necessity (dei) for the replacement of Judas (Acts 1:22) finds strong Old Testament backing in prophecies like Psalm 69:25 and Psalm 109:8 (cited by Peter in Acts 1:20) which spoke of a 'desolate habitation' and 'another taking office.' The specific requirement of being a witness to Jesus from the baptism of John onwards implies that only those from the "inner circle" who faithfully followed Him from the very beginning were eligible, reinforcing the unique authority derived from direct commission and intimate knowledge of Jesus' earthly walk. This passage solidifies the understanding that apostolic authority was uniquely tied to personal encounters with the pre-ascension and risen Christ, which is why there were no replacements for the apostles after the death of the original twelve (excluding Matthias) and Paul's unique commission.

Acts 1 22 Commentary

Acts 1:22 articulates the unique and non-transferable nature of the apostolic office as conceived by the early Church leaders under divine guidance. The stringent criteria underscore the historical and empirical basis of early Christianity: the apostles were not merely theologians or inspired speakers, but primarily eyewitnesses. Their testimony to Jesus' life, teachings, death, and resurrection was the foundational pillar upon which the Church was built (Eph 2:20). The precise timeline, from John's baptism (marking Jesus' public unveiling and ministry's start) to the Ascension (His ultimate glorification and return to the Father), ensures comprehensive firsthand knowledge of the Savior's full redemptive work. The singular emphasis on the resurrection ("a witness... of his resurrection") reflects its preeminent theological importance. It was the crowning miracle, verifying Christ's divine identity and providing hope for humanity. Without a resurrection witness, their preaching would be vain (1 Cor 15:14). This passage is not just about historical succession; it reveals the core function of the early apostolic office: to authoritatively proclaim and validate the central truths of the gospel through verifiable personal encounter with the risen Lord.