The Preacher's Homiletical Commentary

Acts 1:12-14

CRITICAL REMARKS

Acts 1:12. A Sabbath day’s journey—according to Josephus six (Ant., XX. viii. 6) or five (Wars, V. ii. 3) furlongs—marked the distance of the Mount of Olives from Jerusalem, not of Bethany, which was fifteen furlongs from the city (John 11:18). Luke (Luke 24:50) does not say the Ascension took place at, but over against (πρός) Bethany. Nor does Acts affirm that it occurred at the sixth furlong from the city, but merely that Olivet, the scene of the Ascension, was distant a Sabbath day’s journey from Jerusalem. The two Statements do not collide. From the latter statement it has been inferred that the Ascension happened on a Sabbath; but Acts 1:3 rather points to a Thursday, the exact date being 28th April, A.D. 29, shortly before midday (Holtzmann).

Acts 1:13. Come in.—“To the city probably, not the house” (Hackett); though Holtzmann considers it was the temple they entered (compare Acts 2:46; Luke 24:53). Not an but the upper chamber should be read, meaning “of the private house” where they were abiding—most likely that mentioned in Mark 14:15; Luke 22:12.

Acts 1:14. With one accord, or with one mind. Omit “supplication” and “the” before women. Last mention in Scripture of Mary, the mother of Jesus, whose reappearance after the crucifixion (John 19:27) is noteworthy. His brethren were most probably Mary’s children, though the idea that they were only His kinsmen or relatives is not excluded by the term.

HOMILETICAL ANALYSIS.—Acts 1:12

The Church in Jerusalem; or, the Ten Days before Pentecost

I. The Church’s meeting place.—An upper room in Jerusalem.

1. Humble. Not a splendid cathedral or ornate ecclesiastical edifice; but an apartment in a private house, in the topmost story beneath the flat roof. Compare the meeting-place of the Christians at Troas (Acts 20:8) and Rome (Acts 28:13; Romans 16:5).

2. Obscure. Not a chamber connected with the temple, as some suppose, but most likely a room belonging to a follower of the Risen Christ, perhaps in the house of the goodman mentioned in Luke 22:11, or in that of John Mark’s mother (Acts 12:12).

3. Small. Large for a private house, but in comparison with the buildings afterwards possessed by Christians, contracted and meagre. Yet

4. Sufficient. Capable of holding the entire company of Christ’s disciples in Jerusalem before Pentecost. And

5. Consecrated. If the goodman’s upper room, by the Last Supper there held; if Mary’s, by the last interview of Christ with the Twelve before His Ascension (Acts 1:4; Acts 1:13).

II. The Church’s Membership.—

1. Its number. “About a hundred and twenty.”

(1) Representing the fruits of Christ’s ministry in Jerusalem, not throughout the country (see 1 Corinthians 15:6), the five hundred Galilean brethren having not yet come up to the metropolis. Christ’s ministry, externally judged, had not been eminently successful.

(2) Not a large or powerful band of spiritual soldiers. Indeed, in comparison with Christ’s army of to-day, extremely diminutive and feeble. Yet

(3) Christ was about to employ them in the magnificent task of reducing the world into subjection to Himself, the weakness of the weapon being more than counterbalanced by the Almightiness of the Arm that was to wield it (1 Corinthians 1:27).

2. Its composition.

(1) Men and women. A distinct advance upon the Church of the Old Testament, in which woman had no place as an individual, but only in and through and as represented by the male head of the family to which she belonged. The exceptional case of Zelophehad’s daughters (Numbers 26:6) proved the rule. But now in Christ Jesus there is neither male nor female (Galatians 3:28). In the Church of the New Testament woman finds a place in her individual capacity, and enjoys rights and privileges equal with those of her male companion. Nothing more characteristic of Christianity or more demonstrative of her heavenly origin than the change she has effected on the position of woman both in Church and State.

(2) Persons of distinction and people of no name. Individuals of repute, ability, and influence like the Apostles who had been selected by Christ, and had companied with Him from the beginning (Acts 1:21); like the Galilean women who had followed Him with devotion and ministered to Him of their substance (Luke 8:3); like Mary, the mother of Jesus, and like the brethren of our Lord, of whom one (James) was soon to take his place (if already he had not secured it) as president of the congregation. Happily, however, also men and women of no name or fame, influence or ability, rank or wealth. Christian Churches should never be of one class; but “rich” and “poor,” “wise” and “unwise,” “patrician” and “plebeian,” should meet together in profession of a common faith, in acts of common worship and in service of a common Lord.

3. Its leaders. Leadership not incompatible with equality. Never had the Church such a company of able and trusted guides as when it started on its glorious career.

(1) Males, the Apostles. The first three: Peter, the man of rock (Matthew 16:18; John 1:42) and Apostle of action (Matthew 14:28; John 18:10); John, the beloved disciple (John 21:20) and Apostle of love (1 John 3:18; 1 John 4:7); and James, his elder brother, who afterwards suffered martyrdom (Acts 12:2), perhaps distinguished by courageous zeal (Luke 9:54). The next five: Andrew, one of the first to follow Christ, a man of decision (John 1:40); Philip, whom Christ found in the wilderness (John 1:43), representing spiritual aspiration (John 14:8); Thomas, called Didymus, doubtful and anxious (John 20:25), touched with melancholy (John 11:16), yet of ardent devotion (John 20:28); Bartholomew or Nathanael (John 1:45), the soul of guileless simplicity; Matthew, who left all and followed Christ (Matthew 9:9; Luke 5:28), the man of whole-hearted consecration. The last three: James, the son of Alphæus, sometimes called “James the Less” (Mark 15:40), though “James the Little” would be better, of whose character nothing is reported; Simon Zelotes, otherwise named The Canaanite (Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:18), or the Zealot, perhaps noted for fervour; and Judas, the brother or son of James, styled Lebbæus (Matthew 10:2) and Thaddæus (Mark 3:18), presumably from the warmth of his disposition, hence the man of heart. Along with these James, the brother of our Lord, enjoyed the reputation and held the position of a leader (Acts 15:13; Galatians 1:19).

(2) Females, the women already referred to, Mary Magdalene, Mary the Mother of James and Joses, Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, Salome, the mother of John and James, and Susanna (Luke 8:1; John 19:25), and Mary the Mother of Jesus, here mentioned for the last time in Scripture and not assigned that precedence given her by the Church of Rome.

III. The Church’s disposition.—Unanimous. Her members were all of one mind. The spirit of discord had not yet revealed itself among them. Their ranks were unbroken through either jealousy or rivalry.

2. Steadfast They persevered in maintaining this becoming and excellent temper. Doubtless it had not then been tried by either prosperity or adversity. Yet was it praiseworthy that they did not themselves grow weary of the monotony of concord.

IV. The Church’s occupation.—Waiting for the promise.

1. Praying. Always becoming on the part of Christians (Philippians 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:17), it was specially suited to the circumstances of the Church during the ten days before Pentecost. That the chief theme of their supplications was the heavenly baptism for which they were looking need not be doubted. That, though sure of it, they still prayed for its coming, accorded with a law of the kingdom (Ezekiel 36:37; Matthew 21:22; James 1:5). That they prayed in a social as distinguished from a private capacity, was grounded on Christ’s well-known assurance (Matthew 18:19).

2. Working. The duty lying to their hand they did. They proceeded to fill the vacancy in the apostolic college. A hint to Christians to leave no known duty unperformed while waiting for other tasks to be enjoined.

“Strong in His faithfulness, praise Him and sing,
Then as He beckons thee,—‘Doe the next thing.’ ”

Learn.—

1. Not to suppose a splendid, or indeed any, building necessary to constitute a church. 2. Not to despise the day of small things.
3. Not to foster the class spirit in connection with Christian Churches.
4. Not to resent the leadership of those who by superior ability or influence are manifestly called to that office.
5. Not to mar by discord or division the unity of fellowship among believers.
6. Not to think praying can ever be out of place.
7. Not to mistake idleness for waiting.

HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS

Acts 1:13. The Upper Room.—The upper chamber still forms the distinctive feature of a Syrian house. It is the guest chamber, where the guest is quartered outside the part of the house used by the host and his family in private life. The poor were generally content to leave their terraces uncovered, but the first luxury they indulged in was an upper chamber. The rich Shunamite made one for Elisha (2 Kings 4:3). This was the most convenient part of the house, because it was large compared to the rooms inside, and was entirely independent of the rest of the building. It served for numberless uses. There the corpse was laid before burial (Acts 9:37). It was in an upper chamber Jesus met with His apostles to bid them farewell, to eat the Passover with them for the last time, and to institute the Lord’s Supper. The ordinary meals He no doubt took, as they are still taken, in the court of the house and in public.—Stapfer, Palestine in the Time of Christ, p. 178.

The Four Lists of the Apostles.

MATTHEW.

MARK.

LUKE.

ACTS.

Peter

Andrew

James

Andrew

John

James

John

James

John

Andrew

John

Andrew

Philip

Bartholomew

Thomas

Matthew

Bartholomew

Matthew

Thomas

Matthew

James (of Alpheus)

Thaddeus

Simon the Zealot

Simon the Cananean

Judas son of James

Judas Iscariot

From a comparison of these lists the following conclusions may be drawn:

1. That Peter was universally recognised as the leader of the apostolic band.
2. That, following him, Andrew, James, and John enjoyed a precedence over the remaining eight.
3. That, after these, the next in rank was Philip, who in all the lists occupies the fifth place.
4. That Bartholomew was another name for Nathanael.
5. That Thomas and Matthew, like Peter and John, Philip and Bartholomew, were probably companions.
6. That Thaddeus and Judas were the same individual.
7. That Judas Iscariot deserved the lowest place in the apostolic brotherhood.

Acts 1:14. The Brethren of Our Lord.

I. Their names.—James, Joses, Simon, and Judah (Matthew 13:55). With the exception of the first, all ordinary men, who would probably never have been heard of but for their connection with Christ. The vast majority of this world’s population are names, and nothing more; and even of those who emerge from obscurity it is not always true that they shine in their own lustre. Reflected radiance, or renown at secondhand, is more common than most suppose.

II. Their relation to Jesus.—

1. According to some His cousins—i.e., the children of Alpheus and Mary. An opinion in support of which it is usual to advert to:

(1) the customary practice among the Jews of employing the term “brother” in a loose sense, as equivalent to “near kinsman”;

(2) the circumstance that Christ, when dying, commended His mother to John (Acts 19:26), which, it is thought, He would hardly have done had she possessed other children besides Himself;

(3) the Scripture statement that Alpheus or Cleopas and Mary had two sons named James and Joses (Mark 15:40), if not a third called Judas (Acts 1:13); and

(4) the appearance of individuals bearing the names of James, Simon, and Judas in the circle of the apostles, who are not the brethren of our Lord, but the sons of Alpheus (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:8). Against this opinion, however, it is urged, and with force,

(1) that they are never styled Christ’s cousins, but always his brethren—a fact remarkable, but not decisive;
(2) that they always appear associated with the mother of Jesus, and not with the wife of Cleopas;

(3) that one cannot be certain whether Mary, the mother of James and Joses, was the sister of our Lord’s mother (see John 19:25); and

(4) that our Lord’s brethren were not even among His disciples till towards the close of His ministry (John 7:5), whereas the two sons of Alpheus and Mary were among the apostles from the first.

2. According to others, His half brothers—i.e., the sons of Joseph by a former marriage. But this opinion, though not improbable, rests solely on the authority of the Gospel of James

3. According to a third class of interpreters, His whole brothers—i.e., children of Mary by her husband Joseph. In favour of this the arguments run—

(1) that it is the simplest and most natural hypothesis;
(2) that Our Lord’s brethren are always spoken of as brothers, not as cousins;
(3) that they are never said to be sons of Joseph, but always represented as brethren of Jesus; and
(4) that they always appear to be under Mary’s care. (See Whitelaw on The Gospel of St. John, 2:12.)

III. Their changed attitude towards Jesus.

1. The nature of the change. They had become believers, which they were not prior to His crucifixion. Then they refused to accept His Messianic pretensions, though they found it impossible to deny His miracles (John 7:3). Now their doubt was dispelled and their unbelief changed into faith.

2. The cause of the change. This was unquestionably the fact of Our Lord’s Resurrection, and perhaps in particular His manifestation of Himself to James (1 Corinthians 15:7).

Acts 1:1. The Ascending Lord and His Witnesses.—The ascension of the Lord Jesus is the one fact which properly belongs both to the story of the Gospels and to the history of the Acts of the Apostles.

I. The preparation of the witnesses.—For witnesses must be qualified. You cannot lay hands on any man at random, and ask him to bear testimony even to undisputed facts. He must have seen the things of which he claims to be the witness. And then he must be a man of truthful spirit. These two qualifications for a faithful witness Jesus supplies in the things which He does and says in this last interview with His disciples. By what He did that day before their eyes He gave them knowledge of the final fact which was to complete the circle of their testimony. They had wept by the cross and mourned beside the sepulchre. They had seen Him, heard Him, touched Him risen from the dead, and had been glad when they saw the Lord again. And now they are assembled that the last needed link in the evidence they are to give may be added to make the chain complete. But what He said was needful, too, that they might discharge their office rightly. Not merely must their eyes behold the dying and the rising of the Son of man, but it was quite as essential that their spiritual vision should be illumined. It was for this that the Holy Spirit was needed. His coming is to complete what their outward vision had begun. He will teach all things, and bring all Jesus’s sayings to remembrance. He will show things to come. They are to have power; but it shall be power, not to be warriors, but to be witnesses. This is the work of His disciples in every age. For this cause the Master came into the world—to bear witness to the truth. As the Father sent Him into the world, so He sends us. As He equipped the Twelve, so He furnishes us for the work. Instead of the vision of His face we have the fourfold Gospel.

II. The limitation of the witnesses.—For, even “while they beheld, a cloud received Him out of their sight.” There was clear vision for a way, and then an utter mystery. Between Him and the eyes which gazed their love into the heavens came the intercepting cloud. So all our knowledge ends in mystery. Even where a veil is not hung to hide the divine realities from us, the shortness of our vision is as effective to conceal them. The strength and power of the witnessing of the early disciples was in this very thing: that they testified with all boldness up to the limits of their knowledge, and then relapsed into utter silence. It will be well for the later witnesses for Christ to follow more nearly the example of these earlier martyrs. We may with all boldness declare the well-attested facts. But do not let us try to witness to the things which are beyond the cloud, whether it may have been spread by divine wisdom or by human ignorance. Many an earnest witness has lost his power in the world because there was no clear line between the things which he has seen and known and the things which he has only felt and fancied. Nor is it necessary, because a cloud hides that which we long to see, that it should cast a shadow upon us, or darken our horizon. The cloud which underlies the mysteries of heavenly truth is not black with thunderbolts, not scarred with seams of lightning, but edged at least with the silver glory which it hides, and only laden for us with showers of peace and plenty. For it is not the darkness which hides God from us, but the light in which He dwells, which no man can approach unto, whom no man hath seen nor can see. This was the cloud of the transfiguration—the cloud of brightness. Paul, telling the story of his conversion, says, “I could not see for the glory of that light.” Jesus is the brightness of the Father’s glory and the Light of the World, but it is a light softened and screened for human eyes by the veil of His flesh; so that we now can look and see, and look and live. The cloud is the condescension of divine love to our weak sight. It testifies God’s grace equally with the sunshine.

III. The attitude of the witnesses.—They stand gazing after Him up into heaven—how long we do not know; long enough, it is evident, to lead to the rebuke and reassurance which came to them from the lips of the two angels. However full of love or faith their motive may have been, their posture was not approved. It is when they cease their gazing and begin their going that they assume their true relation to the risen Christ. For the return to Jerusalem was their first act of obedience to Him. There He had told them to go, and there to wait, and there to witness first. To testify of Him first where it is hardest and most perilous to do it; back where the people of all tongues will gather soon—they are to speak where their word will reach the greatest number; back where He bids them—that is, more than all beside, that they obey His last command. It is not by peering into the mysteries of God’s unrevealed truth that any disciple gains grace to be a faithful witness. It is far rather by unquestioning obedience to His plain command that we shall come to such further light as He may have to give us. They who are actively engaged in doing His will and work shall be led on with surest step into the mysteries of godliness. They shall have more to witness who witness faithfully to what they know, rather than they who wait and watch for more to tell. Nor did they separate when the Master, who had at first drawn them together, had left them. He had appointed them a common mission. There was to come on them a common gift of power. And so they stayed together during the interval till it should come. And as it is in the way of obedience that we learn the truth, it is in the way of fellowship that we most often receive the richest spiritual gifts. If we would share the gifts which Jesus bestows upon His own, we shall be wise to keep with the other disciples. And then, of course, they prayed; not of necessity only for that which He had promised, and which was to come to them so soon, but quite as much, perhaps, for patience to wait for it, and then for grace to use it for His praise. Obedience, fellowship, and prayer, shall make you strong to be witnesses, martyrs if needs be, unto Him.—Monday Club Sermons.

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