Acts 1:22

KJV

Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

KJV (with Strong's)

Beginning {G756} from {G575} the baptism {G908} of John {G2491}, unto {G2193} that same day {G2250} that {G3739} he was taken up {G353} from {G575} us {G2257}, must {G1163} one {G1520} be ordained {G1096} to be a witness {G3144} with {G4862} us {G2254} of his {G846} resurrection {G386}.

Complete Jewish Bible

from the time Yochanan was immersing people until the day Yeshua was taken up from us — one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.”

Berean Standard Bible

beginning from John’s baptism until the day Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”

American Standard Version

beginning 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 1:22 outlines the essential qualifications for the individual chosen to replace Judas Iscariot among the twelve apostles. Peter articulates that the candidate must have been a continuous eyewitness to Jesus' entire public ministry, from its inception with John's baptism through to the Lord's ascension into heaven. The ultimate purpose of this rigorous criterion was for the new apostle to join the others in authoritatively testifying to the pivotal truth of Jesus' resurrection, thereby ensuring the credibility and continuity of the apostolic witness to the nascent church and the world.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of Peter's address to approximately 120 disciples gathered in Jerusalem, following Jesus' ascension into heaven as described in [Acts 1:9](/acts/1-9 "Acts 1:9 - Jesus' Ascension"). The immediate preceding verses detail Judas's betrayal and subsequent demise ([Acts 1:16-19](/acts/1-16-19 "Acts 1:16-19 - Judas's Fate")), prompting the need to fulfill prophecy and restore the apostolic number to twelve. Peter's speech sets the stage for the selection process that culminates in Matthias being chosen in [Acts 1:26](/acts/1-26 "Acts 1:26 - Matthias Chosen"). The criteria laid out in Acts 1:22 are foundational to understanding the nature of apostolic authority and the early church's commitment to historical truth.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of "witness" (Greek: _martys_) was deeply rooted in Jewish legal and cultural traditions, where testimony from credible eyewitnesses was paramount for establishing truth, especially in matters of life and death (e.g., [Deuteronomy 19:15](/deuteronomy/19-15 "Deuteronomy 19:15 - Two or Three Witnesses")). The number twelve held profound symbolic significance for Israel, representing the twelve tribes, and its restoration for the apostles underscored the continuity between God's old covenant people and the new covenant community being formed. The period between Jesus' ascension and Pentecost was a time of anticipation and preparation for the Holy Spirit's empowerment, and establishing authoritative leadership was crucial for the church's future mission.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 1:22 powerfully contributes to several key themes within the book of Acts and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it underscores the **indispensable role of eyewitness testimony** in the foundation of the Christian faith. The apostles were not merely teachers of doctrine but verifiable witnesses to historical events. Secondly, the verse highlights the **centrality of Jesus' resurrection** as the core message and validating truth of the Gospel. As seen throughout Acts, the apostles' preaching consistently revolved around the resurrection (e.g., [Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Him Up"), [Acts 3:15](/acts/3-15 "Acts 3:15 - The Author of Life"), [Acts 4:33](/acts/4-33 "Acts 4:33 - Power of Resurrection Witness")). Lastly, it speaks to the theme of **apostolic continuity and authority**, demonstrating the early church's commitment to maintaining the divinely appointed leadership structure initiated by Jesus.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **must (Greek, _deî'_):** This word signifies a divine necessity or obligation. It indicates that the selection of a replacement for Judas was not merely a human preference or organizational convenience, but a divinely ordained imperative. This necessity underscores the importance of the apostolic office and its role in God's redemptive plan, particularly in bearing witness to the resurrection.
* **be ordained (Greek, _gínomai'_):** Derived from a verb meaning "to come into being" or "to become," this term, in this context, refers to the act of being appointed or made into a specific role. It implies a formal process of selection and installation into the office of an apostle, emphasizing that the individual would not merely join but would be divinely constituted as a witness alongside the existing apostles.
* **witness (Greek, _mártys'_):** This crucial term denotes someone who gives testimony based on what they have personally seen or heard. It implies firsthand knowledge and an authoritative declaration of truth. The word is the root of our English term "martyr," hinting at the potential for suffering and even death that could accompany such a profound commitment to bearing witness to Christ, especially His resurrection.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Beginning from the baptism of John":** This clause establishes the starting point of the required eyewitness period. John's baptism of Jesus marked the public inauguration of Jesus' ministry, signifying His anointing by the Holy Spirit and His divine affirmation as the Messiah ([Matthew 3:13-17](/matthew/3-13-17 "Matthew 3:13-17 - Jesus' Baptism")). An apostle needed to have been present from this foundational moment to fully comprehend the trajectory and divine validation of Jesus' earthly work.
* **"unto that same day that he was taken up from us":** This defines the endpoint of the eyewitness period. "Taken up" refers to Jesus' ascension into heaven ([Acts 1:9](/acts/1-9 "Acts 1:9 - Jesus' Ascension")), marking the completion of His earthly ministry. The chosen apostle needed to have observed the entirety of Jesus' public life, from its divine commencement to its triumphant conclusion, ensuring a comprehensive and unbroken testimony.
* **"must one be ordained":** This phrase reiterates the divine imperative ("must") for the selection and formal appointment of an individual. It highlights that this was not a casual or optional decision but a necessary act to maintain the integrity and completeness of the apostolic band as divinely intended.
* **"to be a witness with us of his resurrection":** This final clause articulates the ultimate purpose and specific content of the new apostle's role. While the entire ministry from baptism to ascension provided the context, the resurrection was the central, validating event. The apostle's primary function was to bear authoritative testimony to the historical reality and theological significance of Jesus' triumph over death, which formed the bedrock of the early Christian message.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 1:22 employs several effective literary devices to convey its profound message. The phrase **Inclusio** is evident in the temporal markers "Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us." This creates a literary bracket, encompassing the entire span of Jesus' public ministry and emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the required eyewitness account. There is also a strong element of **Emphasis**, particularly on the "resurrection" as the culminating point of the witness. While the entire journey from baptism to ascension is necessary, the resurrection is presented as the ultimate truth to be proclaimed, highlighting its paramount importance in apostolic preaching. Furthermore, the "baptism of John" can be seen as a **Metonymy**, where a significant event (the baptism) stands in for the entire public ministry that followed, serving as a concise and recognizable marker for its commencement.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 1:22 profoundly shapes our understanding of apostolic authority and the nature of Christian truth. It underscores that the foundation of the early church was not based on abstract philosophy or subjective experience, but on the verifiable historical events of Jesus' life, death, and especially His resurrection, attested to by credible eyewitnesses. This divine imperative for eyewitness testimony ensured the integrity and authenticity of the Gospel message as it began to spread. The emphasis on the resurrection reveals it as the linchpin of Christian faith—the event that validates Jesus' claims, confirms His divine identity, and offers hope for humanity's salvation. The apostles were chosen not merely to recount facts, but to proclaim the living Christ, whose resurrection empowered their ministry and validated their message.

* [Luke 24:48](/luke/24-48 "Luke 24:48 - You are Witnesses")
* [1 Corinthians 15:3-8](/1_corinthians/15-3-8 "1 Corinthians 15:3-8 - Resurrection Witnesses")
* [2 Peter 1:16](/2_peter/1-16 "2 Peter 1:16 - Eyewitnesses of His Majesty")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific call to be an apostle like the twelve was unique and foundational, the principles embedded in Acts 1:22 hold enduring significance for all believers today. We are all called to be witnesses of Christ in our spheres of influence, empowered by the Holy Spirit as promised in [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to be Witnesses"). Our testimony gains power and credibility not from our eloquence, but from its rootedness in personal experience with Jesus and a clear understanding of the biblical truth concerning His life, death, and, most crucially, His resurrection. Just as the early apostles bore witness to a historical event, we are called to bear witness to the transforming power of the resurrected Christ in our own lives and in the world. The resurrection remains the central hope, the ultimate victory, and the driving force of the Christian faith, which we are commissioned to share with authenticity and conviction.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my personal experience with Christ inform and strengthen my witness to others?**
* **In what practical ways am I called to be a "witness of his resurrection" in my daily life and interactions?**
* **What aspects of Jesus' life and ministry, from His baptism to His ascension, are most vital for me to understand and articulate in my witness?**

### FAQ
**Why was an eyewitness so crucial for the apostolic role, especially for Judas's replacement?**

Answer: The primary reason for requiring an eyewitness was to ensure the absolute authenticity and authority of the apostolic testimony. The apostles were not merely teachers of doctrine but were divinely appointed to be the authoritative proclaimers of the historical facts of Jesus' life, ministry, death, and, most importantly, His bodily resurrection. Their firsthand observation from the "baptism of John" to the "day he was taken up" guaranteed that their message was based on verifiable events, not hearsay or speculation. This was vital for establishing the foundational truths of the burgeoning Christian faith and for countering any false narratives.

**Does Acts 1:22 imply that all future apostles must have been eyewitnesses to Jesus' earthly ministry?**

Answer: No, this specific criterion was unique to the selection of the twelfth apostle, specifically to fill the vacancy left by Judas and maintain the symbolic and historical integrity of the original twelve. The apostles were foundational to the church's inception. The example of Paul, who became an apostle after Jesus' ascension (e.g., [1 Corinthians 9:1](/1_corinthians/9-1 "1 Corinthians 9:1 - Paul's Apostleship")), demonstrates that God could call and commission apostles through other means, specifically through a direct revelation of the resurrected Christ ([Galatians 1:11-12](/galatians/1-11-12 "Galatians 1:11-12 - Paul's Gospel from Revelation")). While Paul did not witness Jesus' earthly ministry, he did encounter the resurrected Christ, which validated his apostolic claim.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 1:22, while setting criteria for an apostle, ultimately points to Christ as the central figure and the very content of the apostolic witness. Jesus Himself is the ultimate "faithful witness" ([Revelation 1:5](/revelation/1-5 "Revelation 1:5 - The Faithful Witness")), whose entire life, from His baptism inaugurating His public ministry to His triumphant ascension, serves as the divine revelation of God's redemptive plan. The apostles' role was to bear witness to *His* story, a story culminating in the resurrection, which is the cornerstone of Christian faith. The necessity of testifying to "his resurrection" underscores that Christ's victory over death is not merely a historical event but the source of new life and the power for all who believe ([Romans 4:25](/romans/4-25 "Romans 4:25 - Raised for Our Justification")). Thus, the apostles, by fulfilling the criteria of Acts 1:22, became living testimonies to the resurrected Christ, extending His own mission and inviting others into the life-transforming reality of His finished work, empowered by the Spirit He promised to send to His witnesses ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to be Witnesses")).

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

Acts 1:2

Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

Acts 1:8

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Acts 1:9

And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

Acts 4:33

And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

Mark 1:1

¶ The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;

Mark 1:8

I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

John 15:27

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