And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
Parallel translations
- WEB They put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias.
- KJV And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
- BSB So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.
- NASB So they put forward two men, Joseph called Barsabbas (who was also called Justus), and Matthias.
- NLT So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The believers propose two qualified men, Joseph called Barsabbas (Justus) and Matthias. It shows the careful, deliberate process of choosing an apostle.
Overview
Two candidates meeting the stated qualifications are put forward by the community. The naming of both shows transparency in the selection. The decision is then committed to God rather than settled by human preference alone.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 2
- Acts 15:22Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers.
- Acts 1:26They drew lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was counted with the eleven apostles.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
How Acts 1:23 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.