Acts 1:6
What does Acts 1:6 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 1:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 1:6 means
When the apostles were gathered, they posed a question to Jesus, revealing their continued expectation of a restoration of Israel's national sovereignty and political power. Their inquiry, "Lord, dost thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" shows their understanding of the kingdom of God still largely aligned with a worldly, political fulfillment, despite Jesus' prior teachings. They anticipated the Messiah establishing an earthly reign.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000They therefore, when they were come together, asked him, saying, Lord, dost thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?
KJV
King James Version · 1611When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901They therefore, when they were come together, asked him, saying, Lord, dost thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So, when they were together, they said to him, Lord, will you at this time give back the kingdom to Israel?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862They, therefore, indeed, having come together, were questioning him, saying, `Lord, dost thou at this time restore the reign to Israel?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752They therefore who were come together, asked him, saying: Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom of Israel?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890They therefore, being come together, asked him saying, Lord, is it at this time that thou restorest the kingdom to Israel?
Context
This verse immediately follows Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit and His command to wait. It reveals the apostles' lingering misunderstanding regarding the nature of the Kingdom of God. Their question about restoring the kingdom to Israel highlights the tension between their earthly expectations and God's spiritual plan, setting up Jesus' corrective response in the following verse.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 17:20
And being asked by the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God cometh, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
- Jeremiah 23:5
Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.
- Isaiah 1:26
and I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called The city of righteousness, a faithful town.
- Obadiah 1:17
But in mount Zion there shall be those that escape, and it shall be holy; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.
- Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- Matthew 24:3
And as he sat on the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Acts 1
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Acts 1.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Evangelism
Evangelism is the commission to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the world, inviting others into God's kingdom.
Topic
Bible Verses About Missions
Scripture shows us that God has a heart for all peoples, and that His plan for redemption extends to every nation and tribe.
Topic
Bible Verses About the Second Coming
The second coming of Jesus Christ is a central hope of believers, signifying His return to earth in power and glory.
What the Bible says about…