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Easter Season · Seventh Sunday of Easter · Year B

Acts 1:15-17, 20a, 20c-26

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

May 9, 2027

Saint Matthias, Peter Paul Rubens
Saint Matthias, Peter Paul Rubens, c. 1611Museo del Prado, Madrid
From Rubens's apostle series for the Duke of Lerma. Matthias holds the axe of his martyrdom and is painted as solidly as the eleven who were there first.The reading is the drawing of lots that made him the twelfth, and he is the only apostle chosen by a vote.Peter Paul RubensRubens (1577-1640) ran the busiest workshop in Europe from Antwerp and was a working diplomat besides. His religious painting carries the same physical energy as his hunts and his mythologies.Museo del Prado, MadridSpain's national collection, formed from what the Spanish crown had bought over three centuries, which is why its Titians and Rubenses are unmatched.Museo del Prado, Madrid
Roman Lectionary
GospelJohn 17:11b-19Jn 17:11b-19
Second Reading1 John 4:11-161 Jn 4:11-16
First ReadingActs 1:15-17, 20a, 20c-26
Responsorial PsalmPs. 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20 (19a)Ps 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20 (19a)

Overview & Insights

“And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias.” (Acts 1:26)

The period between the ascension and Pentecost was one of waiting, but not of inactivity. Chiefly, for the disciples, it was a time of prayer, but it also saw them finding a replacement for Judas. In this connection, we have the first speech in Acts. Like most of the speeches in this book, it is probably only a summary of what Peter said. Nevertheless, behind Luke’s report we can still catch the original tones of the apostle.

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Take it further: Acts 1:15-17, 20a, 20c-26

Commentary

Acts 1 - The Choosing of Matthias Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse by verse study includes Peter leading the community to replace Judas among the Twelve.

Acts 1:15 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentators on Peter's speech and the casting of lots to choose Matthias.

Acts 1 Commentary Precept Austin

In depth notes with Greek helps and preaching resources on the choosing of a twelfth apostle.

Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

A Reformed preaching commentary on the community tending its own health by naming new leaders.

Commentary on Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 Working Preacher

A scholarly exegesis of the Matthias story keyed to the Seventh Sunday of Easter.

Background & Word Study

Acts of the Apostles | Enter the Bible Enter the Bible

Background on Luke's purpose and the structure of Acts as the story of the early church.

Book of Acts Overview: Acts 1-12 BibleProject

Animated overview of the first half of Acts, including the reconstitution of the Twelve.

Acts 1:15 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek text with parsing and Strong's numbers for Peter's speech and the choice of Matthias.

The Church Fathers

Acts 1 - Catena Catena

Church Fathers commenting verse by verse on the replacement of Judas among the apostles.

Questions preachers ask

Why is Matthias chosen?

To restore the Twelve after Judas's fall, the believers put forward two who had followed Jesus from the beginning and, after prayer, cast lots; Matthias is numbered with the apostles as a witness to the resurrection.

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