Acts 1:24

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

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},

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

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

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

Acts 1:24 captures a pivotal moment in the early church as the disciples, gathered after the ascension of Jesus, seek divine guidance to fill the vacancy left by Judas Iscariot. This verse highlights their dependence on God’s omniscience and sovereign choice in selecting a new apostle.

Context

Following Jesus' ascension to heaven, as recorded in Acts 1:9, the remaining eleven apostles and other believers gathered in Jerusalem. Peter had just addressed the group, explaining the prophecy concerning Judas's betrayal and subsequent death (Acts 1:18-19). The immediate need was to choose a replacement for Judas to restore the symbolic number of twelve apostles, representing the twelve tribes of Israel. They had narrowed the choice down to two candidates, Barsabas (also called Justus) and Matthias, both of whom had been with Jesus from the beginning of His ministry.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Human Action: The disciples demonstrate a crucial balance. They identify worthy candidates (human action) but ultimately appeal to God for the final choice (divine sovereignty). They understand that true leadership in God's kingdom is divinely appointed, not merely humanly elected.
  • Seeking God's Will through Prayer: Faced with a significant decision, the first response of the early church was corporate prayer. This sets a precedent for how believers should approach important matters, prioritizing communion with God and seeking His specific direction above human wisdom alone.
  • God's Omniscience: The plea, "Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all [men]," profoundly acknowledges God's unique ability to see beyond outward appearances and into the true character, motives, and suitability of each individual. This divine insight is crucial for discerning who is truly chosen for a sacred task. 1 Samuel 16:7 and Jeremiah 17:10 affirm this divine attribute.
  • Apostolic Continuity: The desire to restore the number twelve underscores the importance of the apostolic office as a foundation for the nascent church, a foundation later referenced in Revelation 21:14.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "knowest the hearts" is kardiognostes (καρδιογνώστης). This is a compound word meaning "heart-knower" or "one who knows hearts." It is a unique term in the New Testament, used only here and in Acts 15:8, always in reference to God. It underscores the profound theological truth that only God possesses perfect knowledge of the inner person, including their deepest intentions, thoughts, and spiritual state. This contrasts sharply with human judgment, which is often limited to external observation.

Practical Application

Acts 1:24 provides timeless principles for individuals and communities of faith:

  • Pray Before Deciding: For any significant decision, especially those impacting ministry or the church, fervent prayer should be the first step.
  • Trust God's Wisdom: Recognize that God's knowledge is superior to our own. When discerning His will, we must relinquish our preconceived notions and trust His perfect insight into people and circumstances.
  • Seek God's Choice in Leadership: The selection of leaders in the church should not be a purely human process but one steeped in prayer, seeking God to reveal whom He has "chosen."
  • Humility in Discernment: The disciples, despite having walked with Jesus for years, humbly acknowledged their need for divine revelation to make the right choice, demonstrating a model of humility in spiritual leadership.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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