Acts 1:24

KJV

And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all [men], shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} they prayed {G4336}, and said {G2036}, Thou {G4771}, Lord {G2962}, which knowest the hearts {G2589} of all {G3956} men, shew {G322} whether {G3739}{G1520} of {G1537} these {G5130} two {G1417} thou hast chosen {G1586},

Complete Jewish Bible

Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen

Berean Standard Bible

And they prayed, “Lord, You know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two You have chosen

American Standard Version

And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show of these two the one whom thou hast chosen,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 1:24 records a profound moment of corporate prayer by the early apostles and disciples as they seek divine guidance to replace Judas Iscariot. This verse encapsulates their deep dependence on God's perfect knowledge and sovereign choice in selecting an individual to fulfill a crucial apostolic role, demonstrating a model of spiritual discernment rooted in humility and trust in the Lord's omniscience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 1:24 immediately follows Peter's address to the gathered believers, explaining the prophetic necessity of Judas's replacement and outlining the qualifications for the new apostle: one who had accompanied Jesus from John's baptism until His ascension ([Acts 1:21-22](/acts/1-21-22 "Acts 1:21-22 - Qualifications for an Apostle")). The community, having identified two suitable candidates—Joseph called Barsabas (also known as Justus) and Matthias ([Acts 1:23](/acts/1-23 "Acts 1:23 - The two candidates"))—now turns to God in prayer before casting lots. This prayer is the pivotal moment where human action (identifying candidates) yields to divine revelation (God's choice), setting the stage for the selection of Matthias in the subsequent verse.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early church, still in its nascent stages and awaiting the promised Holy Spirit, operated within a Jewish cultural framework. The number twelve held immense symbolic significance, representing the twelve tribes of Israel and signifying the foundational nature of the apostolic office for the new covenant community. The method of casting lots, while seemingly arbitrary to modern eyes, was a recognized means of discerning God's will in ancient Israel (e.g., [Proverbs 16:33](/proverbs/16-33 "Proverbs 16:33 - The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord")). This practice, common before the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, reflected a deep conviction that God could supernaturally direct even seemingly random events to reveal His purpose.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes. Firstly, it highlights the crucial balance between **Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility**, where the disciples diligently identify qualified candidates but ultimately defer to God for the final, authoritative choice. Secondly, it underscores the paramount importance of **Seeking God's Will through Prayer**, establishing corporate prayer as the primary means by which the early church navigated significant decisions. This sets a precedent for believers to prioritize communion with God and His specific direction over human wisdom alone. Thirdly, the plea "Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all [men]" emphasizes **God's Omniscience**, acknowledging His unique ability to discern the true character, motives, and suitability of individuals beyond outward appearances, a truth affirmed elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God looks at the heart, not outward appearance") and [Jeremiah 17:10](/jeremiah/17-10 "Jeremiah 17:10 - The Lord searches the heart and tests the mind")). Finally, the act of replacing Judas speaks to the theme of **Apostolic Continuity**, reinforcing the foundational role of the twelve apostles in the nascent church, a foundation later referenced in the vision of the New Jerusalem ([Revelation 21:14](/revelation/21-14 "Revelation 21:14 - The twelve foundations of the New Jerusalem")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **prayed (Greek, _proseúchomai_):** This verb signifies to "pray to God, i.e., supplicate, worship." It denotes a reverent and earnest communication with God, often involving petition and a posture of humility. In this context, it highlights the disciples' recognition that the selection of an apostle was not a mere human election but a sacred act requiring divine intervention and approval. Their prayer was a direct appeal to the Lord for His specific guidance.
* **knowest the hearts (Greek, _kardiognṓstēs_):** This unique compound word, meaning "heart-knower," is used exclusively in Acts (here and in [Acts 15:8](/acts/15-8 "Acts 15:8 - God, who knows the heart, bore witness to Gentiles")) to describe God. It emphasizes God's perfect and comprehensive understanding of the inner person—their deepest thoughts, motivations, character, and spiritual state—which is beyond human perception. This attribute is foundational to their trust that God would choose the truly suitable candidate.
* **chosen (Greek, _eklégomai_):** Meaning "to select" or "make choice," this verb emphasizes a deliberate and sovereign act of selection. It implies that the ultimate decision rests with God, not with the disciples' preferences or the outcome of the lot. The disciples are asking God to *show* them whom He has already *chosen*, reflecting a belief in divine pre-ordination for specific roles within His kingdom.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they prayed, and said,"**: This opening clause establishes the disciples' immediate and collective response to the task of selecting a new apostle. Their first action is not to debate or strategize, but to engage in earnest, corporate prayer. This highlights their spiritual maturity and their understanding that such a significant decision required divine wisdom, not merely human deliberation. The act of "saying" indicates a vocal, communal petition.
* **"Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all [men],"**: This is the core of their address to God, a profound theological affirmation. They acknowledge God's absolute sovereignty and, more specifically, His omniscience regarding the inner being of every individual. By appealing to God as the "heart-knower," they express their trust that He alone possesses the perfect insight to discern the true character and suitability of the candidates, beyond any outward appearance or human assessment. This demonstrates their humility and their reliance on God's perfect judgment.
* **"shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,"**: This is the specific petition. The disciples have narrowed the choice to two qualified individuals (Barsabas and Matthias), but they recognize their own inability to make the ultimate, divinely sanctioned selection. They are asking God to reveal His pre-ordained choice, to "show" them which of the two He has already "chosen" for this sacred office. This plea underscores their desire for God's will to be done and for the apostolic succession to be genuinely divine, not merely human.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Apostrophe**, a direct address to an absent person or, in this case, to God ("Thou, Lord"). This rhetorical device elevates the prayer, making it a solemn and direct appeal to the divine authority. The phrase "which knowest the hearts of all [men]" functions as a powerful **Theological Statement**, articulating a core attribute of God—His omniscience and perfect insight into human nature. This statement serves as the foundation for their **Petition/Supplication**, as they appeal to this specific divine quality to guide their decision. The entire verse is structured as a **Liturgical Prayer**, reflecting the communal and reverent nature of early Christian worship and decision-making, emphasizing dependence on God's revelation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 1:24 serves as a foundational text for understanding how the early church approached leadership selection and divine guidance. It teaches that while human responsibility involves identifying qualified individuals and engaging in diligent preparation, the ultimate choice for sacred office rests with God. This passage underscores the critical role of prayer as the primary conduit for discerning God's will, especially in matters of significant spiritual consequence. It reminds believers that God's knowledge surpasses human understanding, and therefore, humble submission to His sovereign choice is paramount. The disciples' reliance on God's omniscience in this pivotal moment models a pattern of spiritual discernment that prioritizes divine wisdom over human wisdom, ensuring that the church's foundation is built upon God's chosen instruments.

* [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "God looks at the heart, not outward appearance")
* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart")
* [Philippians 4:6](/philippians/4-6 "Do not be anxious, but pray with thanksgiving")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 1:24 offers timeless principles for individuals and communities of faith navigating significant decisions. It challenges us to cultivate a profound dependence on God, acknowledging that His wisdom and insight far surpass our own. When faced with choices—whether personal, familial, or communal within the church—our first and most earnest response should be corporate and individual prayer, seeking God's specific direction. This verse calls us to humility, recognizing that even with the best human intentions and qualifications, true leadership and spiritual effectiveness flow from divine appointment. It encourages us to trust God's omniscience, believing that He knows the hearts and circumstances perfectly, and will reveal His chosen path or person. For the church, this means that the selection of leaders should never be a purely political or popularity contest, but a deeply spiritual process steeped in prayer, seeking God to reveal whom He has "chosen" for His purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this passage challenge my approach to significant decisions in my life or in my community of faith?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need to trust God's omniscience more, relinquishing my own limited understanding or preferences?**
* **How can my community of faith better prioritize and practice corporate prayer for discernment in matters of leadership and direction?**
* **What does it mean for me to humbly seek God's "chosen" path rather than simply pursuing what seems best to me?**

### FAQ

**Why was it so important to replace Judas?**

Answer: The replacement of Judas was crucial for several reasons, primarily symbolic and theological. The number twelve was deeply significant in Jewish tradition, representing the twelve tribes of Israel. Jesus Himself had chosen twelve apostles to be the foundation of His new covenant community, signifying continuity with God's people and the establishment of a new spiritual Israel. Judas's betrayal and death left a vacancy, and restoring the number twelve was seen as essential for the integrity and symbolic completeness of the apostolic witness. The qualifications outlined in [Acts 1:21-22](/acts/1-21-22 "Acts 1:21-22 - Qualifications for an Apostle")—having been with Jesus from John's baptism until His ascension—emphasized the importance of direct eyewitness testimony to Jesus's ministry, death, and resurrection, which was foundational to the apostles' mission.

**Did the apostles make the right choice in Matthias, given he is not mentioned much later in Acts?**

Answer: The narrative strongly implies divine approval for the choice of Matthias. The apostles specifically prayed for God to "shew whether of these two thou hast chosen," and they used the casting of lots, a recognized method of discerning God's will in that era, often seen as God's way of revealing His choice before the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. While Matthias is not prominently featured later in Acts, his selection fulfilled the immediate need for the restoration of the twelve, and his role as an apostle is affirmed by this prayer-led process. The focus of the book of Acts shifts to the broader expansion of the church and the ministries of Peter and Paul, rather than providing extensive biographies of all twelve apostles. The legitimacy of Matthias's apostleship is rooted in the divinely guided process of his selection, not necessarily in his subsequent prominence in the biblical narrative.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 1:24, with its emphasis on God as the "heart-knower" who chooses His servants, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself is the perfectly "chosen" one of God, uniquely qualified and appointed for His redemptive mission ([Isaiah 42:1](/isaiah/42-1 "Isaiah 42:1 - My chosen one, in whom my soul delights")). He is the one who truly "knows the hearts of all men," as demonstrated throughout His earthly ministry where He perceived the inner thoughts and motives of those around Him ([John 2:25](/john/2-25 "John 2:25 - Jesus knew what was in man"), [John 6:70](/john/6-70 "John 6:70 - Jesus chose the twelve, and one was a devil")). While the disciples sought divine guidance to choose an apostle, the New Covenant, inaugurated by Christ, reveals that God's ultimate choice for leadership and spiritual gifting is exercised through the Holy Spirit, whom Christ poured out at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit, sent by Christ, now guides the church in all truth, discerning hearts and appointing leaders according to God's perfect will, rendering the casting of lots unnecessary. Thus, the prayer in Acts 1:24 foreshadows the perfect knowledge and sovereign selection that is fully realized in Christ, who continues to build His church through those He calls and empowers by His Spirit ([Ephesians 4:11-12](/ephesians/4-11-12 "Ephesians 4:11-12 - Christ gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers")).

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

1 Samuel 16:7

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for [the LORD seeth] not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

Acts 15:8

And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as [he did] unto us;

Jeremiah 17:10

I the LORD search the heart, [I] try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, [and] according to the fruit of his doings.

Acts 14:23

And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

Revelation 2:23

And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

Acts 6:6

Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid [their] hands on them.

Hebrews 4:13

Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things [are] naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.