“Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter emphasizes that scripture had to be fulfilled, not just that it coincidentally aligned. This highlights the apostles' newfound understanding that God's Word wasn't just about past events, but that the Holy Spirit was actively revealing its deeper meaning concerning Jesus. What might seem like Judas's personal betrayal is presented here as a divinely ordained fulfillment of prophecy spoken through David.
“Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter is addressing the gathered believers about the need to choose a replacement for Judas, who betrayed Jesus and has since met a grim end. He emphasizes that this event, particularly Judas's betrayal and subsequent downfall, was not a surprise to God but was foretold in Scripture, specifically through the words of David, pointing to a deeper prophetic meaning beyond David's own life.
Peter is speaking just after Jesus has ascended, and a replacement is needed for Judas. He turns to Scripture to explain why Judas's betrayal wasn't a glitch in God's plan.
Peter declares, 'this scripture must needs have been fulfilled.' This isn't about fate overriding free will. Instead, it highlights God's sovereign power to ensure His Word comes to pass. Even a betrayal, a deeply human act of wickedness, served to fulfill what was prophesied.
Who was speaking when the Psalms were written? Peter clarifies that it wasn't just David's personal experience, but the Holy Spirit using him.
Peter explicitly states that 'the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David.' This is a profound insight into how the Old Testament Scriptures were formed.
Ask a follow-up
The verse pinpoints Judas's specific role. What does this detail reveal about his betrayal and its significance?
Peter doesn't just say Judas betrayed Jesus; he calls him 'the one who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.' This specific description is important:
Understand the original words
adelphoi · Greek Noun
A Greek term used by believers to denote a common spiritual bond, signifying that all who are in Christ share the same heavenly Father and belong to the same spiritual family.
graphē · Greek Noun
The divinely inspired writings of the Old Testament, regarded as authoritative, inerrant, and prophetic revelation from God concerning His will and His plan of redemption.
pneuma hagion · Greek Noun phrase
The third person of the Trinity, the agent of divine revelation, sanctification, and power who inspired the prophets and dwells within believers to guide them into all truth.
Iēsous · Greek Noun
The supreme and historical individual who, by God’s design, fulfilled the Messianic prophecies as the Savior of the world, having died for sins and risen again.
Peter's words highlight a key New Testament theme: understanding Jesus' life, death, and resurrection as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies spoken by figures like David, guided by the Holy Spirit.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Jesus' Betrayal and Crucifixion
Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' twelve disciples, betrays Jesus to the authorities, leading to His arrest and crucifixion. This event is seen by Peter as fulfilling ancient prophecies.
c. 30 AD
Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus
Following His crucifixion, Jesus is resurrected and appears to His disciples over forty days before ascending into heaven, leaving them with the promise of the Holy Spirit.
c. 30 AD
The Day of Pentecost
Ten days after Jesus' ascension, the Holy Spirit descends upon the gathered disciples, empowering them to preach the Gospel. Peter addresses the crowd, explaining the events through the lens of Scripture.
This verse is explicitly identified by Jesus in John 13:18 as a prophecy concerning Judas’ betrayal, highlighting how Old Testament writings foretold this specific act of treachery.
Psalm 69:25Peter later quotes this psalm in Acts 1:20, applying it to Judas' fate, demonstrating how the Psalms contained prophetic pronouncements about the circumstances and consequences of betrayal.
Luke 24:44-45This passage shows Jesus opening the disciples' minds to understand the Scriptures, explaining that all things written about Him had to be fulfilled, which is the principle Peter is applying here to Judas.
John 13:18Jesus Himself directly connects the fulfillment of Scripture to Judas' actions, reinforcing Peter's point that this betrayal was not unforeseen but written about beforehand.
Acts 20:25Paul echoes Peter's understanding of prophetic necessity, stating that he knows he will not see the Ephesian elders again because the Holy Spirit testified to him about future events, showing a consistent theme of divine foreknowledge.
cambridgeActs 1:16: "Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus."
16 . Men and brethren ] The original is meant for one epithet, and would be fully enough rendered by brethren alone, here and in other places where it occurs. this scripture , &c.] “ This ” is omitted by the best authorities. Read The scripture , &c. It is to be noticed that Peter can thus speak because h…
vincentActs 1:16: "Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus."
Men and brethren (ἄνδρες ἀδελφοὶ)Lit., men, brothers. Brother-men. More dignified and solemn than the simple brethren.This scriptureThe best texts substitute the. See on Mark 12:10.The Holy Ghost (τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ Ἅγιον)Lit., The Spirit, the Holy.GuideSee on lead, Luke 6:39.
Peter emphasizes that scripture had to be fulfilled, not just that it coincidentally aligned. This highlights the apostles' newfound understanding that God's Word wasn't just about past events, but that the Holy Spirit was actively revealing its deeper meaning concerning Jesus. What might seem like Judas's personal betrayal is presented here as a divinely ordained fulfillment of prophecy spoken through David.
Peter is addressing the gathered believers about the need to choose a replacement for Judas, who betrayed Jesus and has since met a grim end. He emphasizes that this event, particularly Judas's betrayal and subsequent downfall, was not a surprise to God but was foretold in Scripture, specifically through the words of David, pointing to a deeper prophetic meaning beyond David's own life.
Peter is addressing the gathered believers about the need to choose a replacement for Judas, who betrayed Jesus and has since met a grim end. He emphasizes that this event, particularly Judas's betrayal and subsequent downfall, was not a surprise to God but was foretold in Scripture, specifically through the words of David, pointing to a deeper prophetic meaning beyond David's own life.
"“Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus." — Peter emphasizes that scripture had to be fulfilled, not just that it coincidentally aligned. This highlights the apostles' newfound understanding that God's Word wasn't just about past events, but…
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Last reviewed October 2026