Even though the disciples asked this question together, the Greek word for "asked" suggests they were urgently and perhaps repeatedly pressing Jesus on this point. They were still holding onto a very earthly vision of God's kingdom, expecting a political restoration for Israel rather than the spiritual reign that was truly dawning.
So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just appeared to his disciples after his resurrection and is spending time with them, preparing them for what's next. They've gathered together, and their minds are still fixed on earthly power, asking Jesus if he's about to re-establish Israel as a dominant nation. This question reveals their persistent hope for a political kingdom, a hope that wouldn't be fully corrected until after the coming of the Holy Spirit.
The disciples gathered, their hearts buzzing with anticipation. They had just witnessed Jesus' resurrection – the ultimate confirmation! So, what was the very first question they asked Him?
Even after seeing Jesus alive, the disciples still clung to a very earthly vision of His kingdom.
A Nationalistic Dream
They asked, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" This wasn't just a casual inquiry; the Greek word implies they were repeatedly asking, pressing for an answer. They pictured a powerful, political restoration – Israel back on top, freed from Roman rule, with Jesus as its earthly king.
Missing the Spiritual Big Picture
Their question reveals they hadn't fully grasped that Jesus' mission was far grander and more spiritual than a mere political takeover. They were still focused on a kingdom confined to one nation, rather than a spiritual reign impacting all nations.
The disciples’ question wasn't a one-off. It was a persistent plea, showing a deep yearning that echoed their recent experiences.
The disciples weren't just curious; they were urging Jesus for an answer about the kingdom.
Repeated Inquiry
The Greek verb used for 'asked' is in the imperfect tense. Think of it like hitting the refresh button over and over, or a persistent knocking at the door. They weren't just asking once; they were repeatedly asking, showing the intensity of their hope and their desire for clarity about the timing of God's promises.
Ask a follow-up
Hope Rekindled
After the shock of the crucifixion, Jesus' resurrection had reignited their hopes. They remembered His promises and now saw Him alive, making them eager for the promised restoration of Israel's kingdom to be fulfilled immediately.
Understand the original words
Kyrios · Greek Noun
A title of respect, sovereignty, and deity, acknowledging Jesus as the supreme Master and the promised Messiah who holds authority over all things.
apokathistaneis · Greek Verb
The act of bringing something back to its original state, specifically referring to the messianic expectation of restoring political and spiritual sovereignty to the nation of Israel.
basileia · Greek Noun
The divine rule or reign of God over His people and the cosmos, inaugurated by Christ and awaiting its final consummation.
chronous ē kairous · Greek Noun
Specific points or intervals in divine history, emphasizing God's sovereign control over the unfolding of His redemptive plan.
exousia · Greek Noun
The absolute, supreme power and right to command and control, belonging inherently to God the Father in the orchestration of history.
dynamis · Greek Noun
The divine enablement, strength, and efficacy granted by God to His people for the purpose of fulfilling the Great Commission and living the Christian life.
Pneuma Hagion · Greek Noun
The third person of the Trinity, the divine presence of God who indwells, guides, empowers, and sanctifies believers for ministry.
martyres · Greek Noun
Those who provide testimony or evidence to the truth of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and teachings through their words and lives.
The disciples' question about restoring the kingdom to Israel highlights their lingering expectation of a political and nationalistic restoration, reflecting the broader Jewish hope for independence from Roman rule.
c. 63 BC
Roman Control of Judea
The Roman Republic, and later the Roman Empire, established political control over Judea. This ended the period of Jewish independence and appointed client kings, creating a deep longing for the restoration of a Davidic kingdom free from foreign rule.
c. 27 BC - AD 6
Reign of Herod the Great
Herod the Great, a Roman client king, ruled Judea with considerable autonomy but under Roman authority. His reign saw significant building projects but also increased Roman presence and taxation, fueling messianic expectations for a ruler who would fully restore Israel.
Early 1st Century AD
Jesus' Ministry and Crucifixion
Jesus' public ministry sparked widespread hope among many Jews that he was the promised Messiah who would restore the kingdom. His crucifixion tragically dashed these hopes, leading to confusion and disappointment among his followers.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus' Resurrection and Ascension
Jesus' resurrection dramatically revived the disciples' hopes for the restoration of Israel's kingdom. They gathered with him during this period, eager for him to establish his reign.
c. AD 33
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
Jesus promised his disciples the coming of the Holy Spirit, a power that would equip them for their mission. This promise was intrinsically linked to the establishment of God's kingdom, though its spiritual nature was not fully grasped.
This passage directly addresses the disciples' prior expectation that the Messiah's arrival meant the immediate redemption and restoration of Israel, highlighting their ongoing struggle to grasp the spiritual nature of Jesus' kingdom.
John 18:36Jesus' statement, 'My kingdom is not of this world,' directly contrasts with the disciples' temporal understanding of restoring a political kingdom to Israel, offering a crucial insight into the difference between earthly and divine rule.
Acts 3:21This verse speaks of 'times of restoration of all things' through Christ's return, providing a prophetic perspective on the ultimate restoration that the disciples were perhaps misunderstanding as an immediate, nationalistic event.
Romans 11:26Paul's mention that 'all Israel will be saved' offers a theological perspective on a future restoration of Israel, but within a broader context of God's salvation plan that includes Gentiles, thus reframing the disciples' nationalistic focus.
vincentActs 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?"
Asked (ἐπηρώτων)The imperfect, denoting the repetition and urging of the question.
cambridgeActs 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?"
6 . wilt thou … restore ] Literally, dost thou restore (or art thou restoring ), but the English future gives the sense. the kingdom to Israel ] The question was asked when all the Apostles were gathered together, so that the enquiry was not dictated by the mistaken notion of some single member. It shews, as do many other remarks and questions (cp. Luk…
Even though the disciples asked this question together, the Greek word for "asked" suggests they were urgently and perhaps repeatedly pressing Jesus on this point. They were still holding onto a very earthly vision of God's kingdom, expecting a political restoration for Israel rather than the spiritual reign that was truly dawning.
Jesus has just appeared to his disciples after his resurrection and is spending time with them, preparing them for what's next. They've gathered together, and their minds are still fixed on earthly power, asking Jesus if he's about to re-establish Israel as a dominant nation. This question reveals their persistent hope for a political kingdom, a hope that wouldn't be fully corrected until after the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus has just appeared to his disciples after his resurrection and is spending time with them, preparing them for what's next. They've gathered together, and their minds are still fixed on earthly power, asking Jesus if he's about to re-establish Israel as a dominant nation. This question reveals their persistent hope for a political kingdom, a hope that wouldn't be fully corrected until after the coming of the Holy Spirit.
"So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive…" — Even though the disciples asked this question together, the Greek word for "asked" suggests they were urgently and perhaps repeatedly pressing Jesus on this point. They were still holding onto a ve…
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Last reviewed October 2026
