Acts 1:6

¶ When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

When {G3303} they therefore {G3767} were come together {G4905}, they asked {G1905} of him {G846}, saying {G3004}, Lord {G2962},{G1487} wilt thou {G600} at {G1722} this {G5129} time {G5550} restore again {G600} the kingdom {G932} to Israel {G2474}?

When they were together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore self-rule to Isra’el?”

So when they came together, they asked Him, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”

They therefore, when they were come together, asked him, saying, Lord, dost thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?

Commentary

In Acts 1:6, we find the disciples, having spent 40 days with the resurrected Jesus, asking a pivotal question: "Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" This verse captures their lingering earthly expectations concerning the Messiah's role, just before Jesus' ascension.

Historical and Cultural Context

The question posed by the disciples reflects deeply ingrained Jewish messianic expectations. For centuries, many Jews anticipated a Messiah who would be a political liberator, a king like David, who would overthrow Roman oppression and re-establish an independent, glorious kingdom of Israel. Their hope was rooted in Old Testament prophecies promising a future king and a restored nation. Even after witnessing Jesus' resurrection, their understanding of the kingdom was still primarily nationalistic and temporal, rather than spiritual and universal. They believed Jesus was the Messiah, and now, having conquered death, surely He would fulfill these political hopes and redeem Israel.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Misunderstanding the Kingdom: The primary theme is the disciples' persistent misconception of the kingdom. While Jesus had taught extensively about the kingdom of God, their focus remained on an earthly, visible, and political restoration for Israel. Jesus' kingdom, as He told Pilate, was "not of this world."
  • God's Sovereign Timing: This question sets the stage for Jesus' response in Acts 1:7, where He states, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power." This emphasizes that the timing of God's ultimate plans, including the full restoration of Israel and the establishment of His eternal kingdom, rests solely with Him.
  • Shift from Speculation to Mission: The disciples' preoccupation with "when" is immediately redirected by Jesus in Acts 1:8 to "what" they are to do: receive power from the Holy Spirit and be His witnesses. The focus shifts from nationalistic aspirations to a global mission.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "restore again the kingdom" uses the Greek word apokathistēmi (ἀποκαθίστημι), which means to "restore to a former state" or "reinstate." This term perfectly encapsulates the disciples' desire for Israel to return to a golden age of national prominence and independence, free from foreign domination. They envisioned a literal, political re-establishment of the Davidic throne.

Practical Application

Acts 1:6 serves as a timeless reminder for believers today. Like the disciples, we can sometimes become overly focused on understanding the precise timing of God's future plans, particularly concerning end-time events or the full establishment of His kingdom. This verse encourages us to:

  • Trust God's Sovereignty: Acknowledge that God alone controls the "times and seasons" (Matthew 24:36). Our role is not to know every detail but to trust His perfect plan.
  • Prioritize the Mission: Instead of speculative curiosity, our energy should be directed towards fulfilling the Great Commission – being witnesses for Christ to the ends of the earth, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
  • Understand the Kingdom's Nature: Recognize that while God's kingdom will one day be fully manifest on earth, it is primarily spiritual and active now in the hearts of believers and through the church.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 19:11 (12 votes)

    ¶ And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.

  • Luke 17:20 (11 votes)

    ¶ And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:

  • Daniel 7:27 (9 votes)

    And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom [is] an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

  • Matthew 24:3 (8 votes)

    And as he sat upon 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?

  • Ezekiel 37:24 (7 votes)

    And David my servant [shall be] king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.

  • Ezekiel 37:27 (7 votes)

    My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

  • Isaiah 9:6 (6 votes)

    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, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.