Acts 1:12-26

After Jesus ascended, the disciples obeyed His instruction to stay in Jerusalem by returning to Olivet, an acceptable Sabbath distance from Jerusalem.  What is a Sabbath distance?  The Law states man is not suppose to travel on the Sabbath (Exodus 16:29).  However, sometimes travel was necessary, so the religious leaders set an acceptable distance in which one could travel on the Sabbath.  By Jesus' time, this distance was 4,000 cubits, a little under a mile.  So, basically, the disciples are staying in a suburb of Jerusalem. 

Gathered together are the eleven remaining apostles along with Mary - Jesus' mother, His brothers, and other women.  Note that women were always welcome in the fellowship.  They weren't considered second class citizens either!  As we continue to read Acts, we will see the important positions women had within the ministry.  Peter stands up and gives a lengthy speech that basically states they need to replace Judas Iscariot.  Two men are selected and after prayer, they voted on Matthias as the replacement. 

What happened to Judas Iscariot?  Some think that the Bible gives us two stories.  In fact, we have parts and pieces of the full story spread through the gospels.  So, let's look at a quick unfolding of the events found in Matthew 27:3-8 & Acts 1:16-19.

Judas returns to the Jewish council and throws the money at their feet.  The chief priests took the money and purchased a field in Judas' name because they didn't want tainted blood money.  The field became a potter's field, a place of burial for unknown or indigent people.  Meanwhile, Judas hangs himself.  When his body is cut down, it falls onto the ground and bursts open.  Pretty harsh, but not uncommon due to the decomposition of a body.  Why does Luke include such a graphic image in his writing?  I think there are three reasons:  1)  Luke was a doctor, so he would have been interested in the clinical details of Judas' death.  2)  To show people that Judas not only suffered a horrible death, but his body continued to be disregarded after death.  3)  To show that there are always consequences to poor choices.