Acts 1:19

And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.

And {G2532} it was {G1096} known {G1110} unto all {G3956} the dwellers {G2730} at Jerusalem {G2419}; insomuch as {G5620} that {G1565} field {G5564} is called {G2564} in their {G846} proper {G2398} tongue {G1258}, Aceldama {G184}, that is to say {G5123}, The field {G5564} of blood {G129}.

This became known to everyone in Yerushalayim, so they called that field Hakal-D’ma — which in their language means “Field of Blood”).

This became known to all who lived in Jerusalem, so they called that field in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

And it became known to all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch that in their language that field was called Akeldama, that is, The field of blood.)

Commentary

Acts 1:19 provides a concise yet impactful detail regarding the aftermath of Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus. This verse explains the common knowledge and naming of the field purchased with the blood money, solidifying its place in the historical narrative of early Christianity.

Context

This verse immediately follows the account of Judas's demise in Acts 1:18, where it states that Judas "fell headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out." The money for his treachery, thirty pieces of silver, was deemed unfit for the temple treasury by the chief priests and elders after Judas returned it. Instead, they decided to use it to buy a potter's field as a burial place for strangers. Matthew 27:7-8 gives a parallel account of this purchase. Acts 1:19 emphasizes that this event was not obscure but was "known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem," highlighting its public notoriety and the widespread recognition of its significance.

Linguistic Insights

The most striking linguistic detail in Acts 1:19 is the name given to the field: Aceldama. This term is a transliteration of an Aramaic phrase (חקל דמא, ḥaqel dema'), which literally means "The field of blood." The KJV text explicitly provides this translation, ensuring clarity for its readers. The name itself serves as a stark and permanent memorial to the heinous act of betrayal and the tragic end of Judas.

Key Themes

  • Consequence of Sin: The naming of "Aceldama" stands as a perpetual reminder of the devastating consequences of Judas's sin of betrayal. It symbolizes the defilement and judgment associated with his actions, even impacting a physical location.
  • Public Knowledge and Divine Transparency: The fact that the field's new name was "known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem" underscores that the events surrounding Jesus, His disciples, and even His betrayer were not hidden. God's dealings, even in judgment, are often brought into the light, serving as a public witness to His truth.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy (Implicit): While Acts 1:19 itself doesn't explicitly cite prophecy, the broader narrative of Judas's fate and the purchase of the field is understood by the early church (as seen in Peter's discourse in Acts 1:20) as a fulfillment of Old Testament scriptures concerning a betrayer's desolation.

Practical Application

Acts 1:19 reminds us that actions, especially those with significant moral weight, often have lasting and public consequences. The "field of blood" became a tangible monument to a terrible choice. This serves as a sober warning about the gravity of our decisions and the enduring impact they can have. Furthermore, the verse highlights how God's truth, even in its most uncomfortable aspects, often comes to light, validating the apostles' testimony and the foundational events of the Christian faith to all who witnessed them in Jerusalem.

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Cross-References

  • Matthew 28:15 (2 votes)

    So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

  • Acts 21:40 (2 votes)

    And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto [them] in the Hebrew tongue, saying,

  • Acts 2:22 (2 votes)

    Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

  • 2 Samuel 2:16 (2 votes)

    And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and [thrust] his sword in his fellow's side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which [is] in Gibeon.