Acts 1:15

What does Acts 1:15 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 1:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 1:15 means

During this period of waiting and prayer, Peter stood up among the assembled believers, a group numbering about 120 persons. Peter, often a spokesperson for the apostles, takes initiative, signaling his leadership role. This gathering, including the broader community of disciples beyond just the eleven, indicates the foundational numerical strength of the early church before Pentecost.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And in these days Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren, and said (and there was a multitude of persons gathered together, about a hundred and twenty),

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And in these days Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren, and said (and there was a multitude of persons gathered together, about a hundred and twenty),

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And in those days Peter got up among the brothers (there were about one hundred and twenty of them), and said,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And in these days, Peter having risen up in the midst of the disciples, said, (the multitude also of the names at the same place was, as it were, an hundred and twenty,)

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

In those days Peter rising up in the midst of the brethren, said (now the number of persons together was about an hundred and twenty):

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And in those days Peter, standing up in the midst of the brethren, said, (the crowd of names [who were] together [was] about a hundred and twenty,)

Context

This verse marks a significant shift, from the intimate gathering of the apostles and close followers to a more public address within the larger community of 120 disciples. Peter's action of standing up establishes him as a leader, preparing the way for his authoritative speech. This speech forms the basis for the collective decision regarding Judas's replacement, moving the narrative towards restoring the apostolic number.

v.14These all with one accord continued stedfastly in prayer, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

v.15This passage

v.16Brethren, it was needful that the scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spake before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to them that took Jesus.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Psalms 51:9

    Hide thy face from my sins, And blot out all mine iniquities.

  • Luke 22:32

    but I made supplication for thee, that thy faith fail not; and do thou, when once thou hast turned again, establish thy brethren.

  • Acts 21:20

    And they, when they heard it, glorified God; and they said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of them that have believed; and they are all zealous for the law:

  • John 21:23

    This saying therefore went forth among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, that he should not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?

  • John 14:12

    Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father.

  • Psalms 32:5

    I acknowledged my sin unto thee, And mine iniquity did I not hide: I said, I will confess my transgressions unto Jehovah; And thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. [Selah

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