Acts 1:21

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Wherefore {G3767} of these {G5130} men {G435} which have companied {G4905} with us {G2254} all {G3956} the time {G5550} that {G1722}{G3739} the Lord {G2962} Jesus {G2424} went {G1831} in {G1525} and {G2532} out {G1831} among {G1909} us {G2248},

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore, one of the men who have been with us continuously throughout the time the Lord Yeshua traveled around among us,

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore 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,

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 1:21 marks a critical juncture in the early church's formation, as the assembled disciples, under Peter's guidance, prepare to select a replacement for Judas Iscariot among the twelve apostles. This verse articulates the foundational qualification for this sacred office: the candidate must have been a constant, firsthand eyewitness to the entirety of Jesus's public ministry, from His baptism by John to His ascension, thereby ensuring the authenticity and authority of their future testimony to Christ's life, death, and resurrection.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 1:21 is situated immediately after Jesus's ascension into heaven and His final instructions to His disciples, as recounted in [Acts 1:1-11](/acts/1-1-11 "Acts 1:1-11 - Jesus's Ascension and Promise of the Holy Spirit"). Following this, the disciples, numbering about 120, gather in Jerusalem, awaiting the promised Holy Spirit. Peter addresses the assembly, interpreting the defection and death of Judas Iscariot as a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (specifically drawing from [Psalm 69:25](/psalms/69-25 "Psalm 69:25 - Prophecy of Desolation") and [Psalm 109:8](/psalms/109-8 "Psalm 109:8 - Prophecy of Succession")). The immediate concern is to restore the apostolic number to twelve, a symbolic act emphasizing continuity with Israel's twelve tribes and establishing the foundational witness for the burgeoning Christian community. Verse 21, therefore, sets the non-negotiable criteria for this crucial selection process, leading directly into the proposal of two candidates and the eventual choice of Matthias in [Acts 1:23-26](/acts/1-23-26 "Acts 1:23-26 - Selection of Matthias").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early Christian community, still largely Jewish in its composition and worldview, understood the profound significance of the number twelve, which symbolized the twelve tribes of Israel and represented the restoration of God's covenant people. The apostles were seen as the foundational pillars of this new covenant community, analogous to the patriarchs of old. The concept of "witness" (Greek: _martys_) was paramount in Jewish legal and religious contexts, requiring direct, personal observation to establish truth. Thus, the emphasis on eyewitness testimony was not merely a practical requirement but deeply rooted in the cultural understanding of credible authority. The phrase "went in and out among us" is a common Hebraic idiom, found frequently in the Old Testament (e.g., [Numbers 27:17](/numbers/27-17 "Numbers 27:17 - Moses's Prayer for a Successor"); [Deuteronomy 31:2](/deuteronomy/31-2 "Deuteronomy 31:2 - Moses's Farewell and Joshua's Commission")), signifying full, continuous, and intimate engagement in the daily life and activities of a community or group. This idiom underscores the deep, shared experience required of an apostle.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of Acts and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it highlights **Eyewitness Credibility** as the indispensable qualification for apostolic authority. The apostles were not merely teachers of doctrine but primary, authoritative witnesses to the historical facts of Christ's life, death, resurrection, and ascension. Their testimony formed the bedrock of the early Christian message, ensuring its grounding in verifiable events. Secondly, the verse underscores the **Continuity of Apostolic Office** and the importance of maintaining the "twelve" as the foundational witnesses. This was crucial for establishing the legitimacy and authoritative transmission of the Gospel message. The apostles were unique in their direct commission from Christ and their personal experience of His earthly ministry. Thirdly, it defines the **Nature of Apostolic Ministry** itself, which was fundamentally about bearing witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As [Acts 1:22](/acts/1-22 "Acts 1:22 - The Apostolic Witness") further clarifies, the chosen apostle must be a witness "with us of his resurrection." This unique, unrepeatable role distinguishes the original apostles from all subsequent forms of church leadership.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **companied (Greek, _synérchomai'_):** From _syn_ (with) and _erchomai_ (to come), this verb means "to come together," "to assemble with," or "to associate with." In the context of Acts 1:21, it emphasizes a sustained, communal presence and shared experience. It implies more than just being in the same vicinity; it signifies active participation and intimate fellowship with Jesus and the other disciples throughout His public ministry.
* **went in (Greek, _eisérchomai'_):** From _eis_ (into) and _erchomai_ (to come), meaning "to enter (literally or figuratively)." When paired with "went out," it forms a common idiom. In this context, it refers to Jesus's daily movements and interactions, signifying His full and continuous engagement in the lives of His disciples and the public.
* **out (Greek, _exérchomai'_):** From _ek_ (out of) and _erchomai_ (to come), meaning "to issue (literally or figuratively)," "to come forth," or "to go out." Together with "went in," it describes the totality of Jesus's public life and ministry, encompassing all His activities, travels, and interactions, from the beginning to the end of His earthly work.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore of these men":** This introductory phrase, "Wherefore" (Greek: _oûn_), serves as a logical connector, indicating that what follows is a conclusion or consequence of the preceding discussion, specifically Peter's explanation of Judas's defection and the need for a replacement. "Of these men" refers to the larger group of disciples present, from whom a candidate must be chosen.
* **"which have companied with us":** This clause establishes the first and most crucial qualification: the candidate must have been a consistent companion and associate of the original apostles and Jesus Himself. The emphasis is on shared experience and continuous presence within the inner circle of discipleship. This was not a casual acquaintance but a deep, ongoing involvement.
* **"all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us":** This is the core of the qualification, specifying the duration and intimacy of the required companionship. "All the time" (Greek: _pas ho chronos_) signifies the entire span of Jesus's public ministry. The Hebraic idiom "went in and out among us" denotes Jesus's complete, unreserved, and continuous engagement in daily life with His disciples, from the beginning of His ministry (likely from His baptism by John, as clarified in [Acts 1:22](/acts/1-22 "Acts 1:22 - The Scope of Apostolic Witness")) until His ascension. It implies a deep, personal knowledge of His teachings, miracles, character, and daily walk.

#### Literary Devices
The most prominent literary device in Acts 1:21 is **Merism**, specifically within the phrase "went in and out among us." Merism is a rhetorical device in which two contrasting parts of a whole are mentioned to represent the whole itself. Here, "in" and "out" encompass the totality of Jesus's movements, activities, and interactions during His public ministry. It signifies His constant presence and full engagement with His disciples and the broader community. This Hebraic idiom emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the required eyewitness experience, indicating that the chosen apostle must have observed Jesus's entire public life, from its commencement to its culmination in the ascension. This device powerfully conveys the idea of a complete, unbroken period of observation and intimate companionship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 1:21 profoundly shapes our understanding of apostolic authority and the foundational nature of the early church's witness. The strict requirement for an eyewitness to Jesus's entire public ministry underscores that the apostles' authority was not self-proclaimed or based on mere theological insight, but on direct, verifiable experience of the historical Christ. This grounding in historical reality distinguishes Christianity from mere philosophy or myth, emphasizing that the Gospel message is rooted in what God has actually done in history through Jesus. The selection process highlights the early church's commitment to divine order and the preservation of the unique, divinely appointed role of the twelve, who were commissioned to be primary witnesses to the resurrection and the subsequent unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

* [Luke 1:1-4](/luke/1-1-4 "Luke 1:1-4 - Purpose of Luke's Gospel") - Luke's prologue emphasizes the importance of eyewitness accounts and careful investigation for the sake of certainty in Christian teaching.
* [1 John 1:1-3](/1_john/1-1-3 "1 John 1:1-3 - The Apostolic Witness to Christ") - John similarly stresses the firsthand experience of the apostles with "that which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life."
* [2 Peter 1:16](/2_peter/1-16 "2 Peter 1:16 - Eyewitnesses of Majesty") - Peter asserts that the apostles did not follow "cunningly devised fables" but were "eyewitnesses of his majesty."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific qualifications for apostleship as an eyewitness to Jesus's earthly ministry are unique to the original twelve, the underlying principles of authentic witness, consistent walk, and faithful leadership remain profoundly relevant for the church today. This verse challenges us to consider the depth of our own "companionship" with Christ. Are we merely casual acquaintances, or are we intimately engaged in His teachings, His mission, and His daily presence through the Holy Spirit? For those in leadership, Acts 1:21 serves as a powerful reminder that genuine authority stems from a life consistently lived in proximity to Christ, marked by deep understanding of His Word and character, and a demonstrated commitment to His ways. It calls for leaders whose lives genuinely reflect the truth they proclaim, whose "going in and out" among the flock is characterized by integrity, spiritual maturity, and a living relationship with the Lord. It also reminds the church to carefully discern those who lead and teach, ensuring their foundations are rooted in the historical truth of Christ and a consistent, authentic walk with Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I "company" with the Lord Jesus in my daily life?**
* **How does my personal experience and understanding of Christ inform my witness to others?**
* **What does "going in and out" look like for a Christian leader today, and how can the church ensure its leaders demonstrate this consistent walk?**
* **How can the church maintain the integrity of its message by valuing authentic, Christ-centered experience in its members and leaders?**

### FAQ
**Why was it so important for the new apostle to have "companied with" Jesus throughout His entire ministry?**

Answer: It was crucial because the primary role of the apostles was to be authoritative, foundational witnesses to the historical facts of Jesus's life, death, and especially His resurrection. The early church needed leaders whose testimony was unimpeachable, based on direct, personal observation. Having "companied with" Jesus "all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us" (Acts 1:21) ensured that the chosen apostle had firsthand knowledge of His teachings, miracles, character, and the entire scope of His public ministry, from His baptism by John (as elaborated in [Acts 1:22](/acts/1-22 "Acts 1:22 - The Apostolic Witness")) to His ascension. This comprehensive eyewitness account was vital for establishing the authenticity and credibility of the Gospel message for future generations.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 1:21, while detailing a specific qualification for an apostle, ultimately points to the centrality and supremacy of Christ Himself. The requirement for an intimate, continuous companionship with Jesus underscores that all true authority and witness in the church flow from a deep, personal knowledge of the Lord. The apostles were chosen not for their inherent abilities, but for their unique proximity to the incarnate Son of God, enabling them to bear authoritative testimony to His redemptive work. This verse implicitly highlights Jesus as the one who "went in and out among us," fully embodying God's presence and purpose, fulfilling the Law and the Prophets through His life, death, and resurrection. The selection of Matthias, based on these criteria, ensured that the foundational witness of the church remained firmly rooted in the historical reality of Jesus Christ, the one true [Lord and Savior](/acts/2-36 "Acts 2:36 - Jesus is Lord and Christ"). Every subsequent ministry and every proclamation of the Gospel, from Pentecost onward, would be a continuation of this Christ-centered witness, testifying to the one who is "the way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, Life")). The very existence of the apostolic office, as defined here, served to establish and safeguard the truth about Jesus, the Messiah, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 15:27

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

Deuteronomy 31:2

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

John 10:1

¶ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

John 10:9

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

Luke 10:1

¶ After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.

Luke 10:2

Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly [is] great, but the labourers [are] few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

2 Samuel 5:2

Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.