They drew lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was counted with the eleven apostles.
Parallel translations
- KJV And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
- BSB Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
- NKJV And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
- NASB And they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.
- NLT Then they cast lots, and Matthias was selected to become an apostle with the other eleven.
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
They cast lots, and the lot falls on Matthias, who is numbered with the eleven. It completes the restored circle of twelve apostles.
Overview
Casting lots, an Old Testament way of seeking God's decision, is used before the Spirit is poured out at Pentecost; this is the last such instance in Scripture. Matthias is added to restore the Twelve, fitting the symbolism of Israel's twelve tribes. The apostolic foundation is now complete for the church's birth.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Lev 16:8Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats; one lot for Yahweh, and the other lot for the scapegoat.
- Josh 18:10Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before Yahweh. There Joshua divided the land to the children of Israel according to their divisions.
- Jonah 1:7They all said to each other, “Come, let us cast lots, that we may know who is responsible for this evil that is on us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah.
- 1 Sam 14:41–42Therefore Saul said to Yahweh, the God of Israel, “Show the right.” Jonathan and Saul were chosen, but the people escaped.
- 1 Chr 24:5Thus were they divided impartially by drawing lots; for there were princes of the sanctuary, and princes of God, both of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar.
- Acts 2:14But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke out to them, “You men of Judea, and all you who dwell at Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
- Prov 16:22Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly.
- Acts 13:19When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land for an inheritance, for about four hundred fifty years.
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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.
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Original language
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