Acts 1:23

Acts 1:23, in plain English

The group narrows it down to two candidates: Joseph Barsabbas (nicknamed Justus) and a man named Matthias.

Why it's here

Both of these men had apparently been faithful followers all along—walking with Jesus, witnessing His resurrection—but they're not famous. You've never heard of them in the Gospels. That's the point. There were faithful disciples who weren't in the inner circle, and now two of them are being seriously considered for an apostolic role.

Who's speaking

The gathered believers, presenting their suggestions

Where it sits in the story

This shows you that the early church wasn't just elevating the famous or the comfortable. They were looking for faithfulness and presence. It's a humble, practical moment in the midst of something momentous.

The scholarly reading

The assembly proposes two candidates: Joseph Barsabbas Justus and Matthias, apparently the only members who met the stringent criteria Peter had outlined.

Language and setting

The community's proposal of exactly two candidates suggests a deliberative process had already occurred—these were not hastily nominated figures but individuals previously vetted as meeting the apostolic qualifications. The double designation 'Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus)' indicates he was well-known enough to require disambiguation; 'Barsabbas' likely means 'son of Sabbath,' possibly indicating priestly or observant Jewish background, while 'Justus' (Greek: Ioustos, from iustus) signals his reputation for righteousness or justice. Matthias appears nowhere else in extant Christian literature—a striking silence that medieval and Reformation scholars found troubling, leading some (notably Eusebius) to speculate he may have been among the seventy disciples or even John Mark. The historical obscurity of both candidates paradoxically strengthens Luke's narrative credibility; he's not inventing heroic figures but recording actual community memory.

Voice

The gathered community, numbering approximately 120 believers

Significance

The church's first recorded democratic deliberation demonstrates how leadership selection operated in early Jerusalem Christianity—communal discernment preceding formal decision, with the community itself initiating the process rather than remaining passive. This foreshadows later conciliar practices while also establishing that apostolic succession, in this instance, involved community participation.

21Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

22beginning from John’s baptism until the day Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”

23So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.

24And they prayed, “Lord, You know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two You have chosen

25to take up this ministry and apostleship, which Judas abandoned to go to his rightful place.”

Read all of Acts 1 — Jesus ascends. The disciples wait. And then everything changes. This is the story of how a handful of ordinary people turned the world upside down.