Acts 1:21
So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrase "went in and out among us" is more than just a description of Jesus' movements; it captures the intimate, everyday reality of walking with him, experiencing all aspects of his life and ministry alongside the disciples. This qualification wasn't just about witnessing miracles, but about being present for the full, ordinary, and extraordinary journey of Jesus' earthly life.
Following Judas's betrayal and death, the remaining apostles recognized the need to replace him and maintain their symbolic number of twelve. Peter proposes a solution: they must select a new apostle from the men who had been with them continuously, from the very beginning of Jesus's ministry until his ascension, ensuring this new witness could testify to Jesus's life and resurrection. This qualification stems from the direct experience of following Jesus through all his public activities, from his baptism by John until he was taken up into heaven.
The apostles needed to replace Judas. What qualified someone for this vital role? It wasn't just about knowing Jesus from a distance.
Peter lays out a crucial requirement: the new apostle must have 'accompanied us... all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us.'
Constant Presence
This phrase, 'went in and out,' is a rich biblical expression. It doesn't just mean Jesus was present; it signifies constant intercourse, a deep, daily engagement with His life and ministry. Think of it like living with someone, observing their every move, their teachings, their miracles, their interactions.
Shared Life
It implies a shared life, witnessing Jesus from His baptism by John all the way through His ascension. This wasn't a casual acquaintance; it was about being immersed in the reality of Jesus' earthly ministry. The new apostle needed to have this firsthand, intimate knowledge.
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Why was this specific kind of companionship so critical for replacing Judas? It all comes down to the core message the apostles were to share.
The ultimate purpose of this 'constant intercourse' was to equip someone to be a witness.
Eyewitness to the Resurrection
Peter's requirement points to a fundamental qualification: the new apostle must be an eyewitness, not just of Jesus' life, but crucially, of His resurrection. This was the bedrock of the early Christian message. As the commentaries note, 'the apostles announce the resurrection of Jesus... as eye-witnesses.'
Foundation of Faith
To testify to the resurrection meant having personally encountered the risen Christ. This personal encounter provided the historical and experiential foundation for the gospel. Those who believed this testimony were, in essence, embracing the core of the new divine life Jesus offered.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Public Ministry
Jesus traveled throughout Galilee and Judea, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples. This period formed the core of the apostles' experience with him.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus was crucified in Jerusalem and, according to the apostles, rose from the dead. This event became the central focus of their witness.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Ascension
Jesus ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives, leaving the apostles to carry on his mission.
c. AD 30— this verse
The Eleven Gather in Jerusalem
Following Jesus' ascension, the eleven apostles gathered with other believers in an upper room in Jerusalem, awaiting further instruction.
c. AD 30
Selection of Matthias
The apostles chose Matthias to replace Judas Iscariot, ensuring the apostolic college remained complete with twelve witnesses.
c. AD 30
The Day of Pentecost
The Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, empowering them to preach the gospel and leading to the formation of the early church.
This passage directly echoes the requirement for the new apostle to be an eyewitness of Jesus' ministry, emphasizing that the apostles are witnesses because they have been with Jesus from the beginning.
1 Corinthians 9:1Paul himself references his apostolic authority by asking, 'Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?' This shows that personal testimony of Jesus was a core qualification for apostleship.
1 John 1:1-3John speaks of 'what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes...what our hands have touched' concerning Jesus, highlighting the importance of firsthand experience and testimony, which is precisely what the early apostles valued for a replacement.
Acts 4:12This verse states there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved, underscoring the unique salvific role of Jesus that the apostles were commissioned to bear witness to, a role requiring intimate knowledge of Him.
Deuteronomy 18:19The Old Testament concept of speaking God's word is paralleled here, showing a precedent for authoritative messengers needing to be divinely appointed and understood, much like the apostles needed to have walked with Jesus.
cambridgeActs 1:21: "Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,"
21 . As the new Apostle is to be, like the rest, an eyewitness to the life of Jesus, he must have been a disciple from the beginning of Christ’s ministry. Such a necessity would probably make the number from whom choice could be made a very small one. It seems hardly probable, if St Luke’s design had been (as is so often asserted) to represent St Paul as in every way like…
vincentActs 1:21: "Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,"
Went in and went outAn expression for constant intercourse. Compare Deuteronomy 18:19; Psalm 121:8; John 10:9; Acts 9:28.Among us (ἐφ' ἡμᾶς)The margin of Rev., over us, i.e., as our head, is a sound rendering, and supported by Matthew 25:21, Matthew 25:23; Luke 9:1. The rendering before, in the presence of, occurs Matthew 10:18; Luke 21:12.
The phrase "went in and out among us" is more than just a description of Jesus' movements; it captures the intimate, everyday reality of walking with him, experiencing all aspects of his life and ministry alongside the disciples. This qualification wasn't just about witnessing miracles, but about being present for the full, ordinary, and extraordinary journey of Jesus' earthly life.
Following Judas's betrayal and death, the remaining apostles recognized the need to replace him and maintain their symbolic number of twelve. Peter proposes a solution: they must select a new apostle from the men who had been with them continuously, from the very beginning of Jesus's ministry until his ascension, ensuring this new witness could testify to Jesus's life and resurrection. This qualification stems from the direct experience of following Jesus through all his public activities, from his baptism by John until he was taken up into heaven.
Following Judas's betrayal and death, the remaining apostles recognized the need to replace him and maintain their symbolic number of twelve. Peter proposes a solution: they must select a new apostle from the men who had been with them continuously, from the very beginning of Jesus's ministry until his ascension, ensuring this new witness could testify to Jesus's life and resurrection. This qualification stems from the direct experience of following Jesus through all his public activities, from his baptism by John until he was taken up into heaven.
"So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us," — The phrase "went in and out among us" is more than just a description of Jesus' movements; it captures the intimate, everyday reality of walking with him, experiencing all aspects of his life and min…
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