Acts 1:21

What does Acts 1:21 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 1:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 1:21 means

Peter outlines the qualifications for Judas's replacement. He specifies that the new apostle must be someone who had accompanied them consistently throughout the entire duration of Jesus' public ministry. This requirement emphasizes the importance of firsthand experience and close discipleship with Jesus, ensuring that the chosen individual possessed a deep understanding of His life and teachings.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Of the men therefore that have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Of the men therefore that have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For this reason, of the men who have been with us all the time, while the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`It behoveth, therefore, of the men who did go with us during all the time in which the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Wherefore of these men who have companied with us, all the time that the Lord Jesus came in and went out among us,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

It is necessary therefore, that of the men who have assembled with us all [the] time in which the Lord Jesus came in and went out among us,

Context

This verse immediately follows Peter's scriptural justification for a replacement (verse 20) and sets the specific criteria for the candidates. By narrowing the pool to those who were with them "all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us," Peter establishes the importance of eyewitness testimony. This qualification leads directly into the next verse, further defining the necessary experience of the new apostle.

v.20For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be made desolate, And let no man dwell therein: and, His office let another take.

v.21This passage

v.22beginning from the baptism of John, unto the day that he was received up from us, of these must one become a witness with us of his resurrection.

Cross references

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

  • Deuteronomy 31:2

    And he said unto them, I am a hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come in: and Jehovah hath said unto me, Thou shalt not go over this Jordan.

  • Numbers 27:17

    who may go out before them, and who may come in before them, and who may lead them out, and who may bring them in; that the congregation of Jehovah be not as sheep which have no shepherd.

  • 1 Kings 3:7

    And now, O Jehovah my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child; I know not how to go out or come in.

  • John 15:27

    and ye also bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

  • 2 Samuel 5:2

    In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was thou that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and Jehovah said to thee, Thou shalt be shepherd of my people Israel, and thou shalt be prince over Israel.

  • Luke 10:1

    Now after these things the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself was about to come.

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