Acts 1 · Verse 16

Acts 1:16

Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.
Acts 1:16, King James Version

Acts 1:16 in other translations

BSB“Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit foretold through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus.
WEB“Brothers, it was necessary that this Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to those who took Jesus.
ASVBrethren, it was needful that the scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spake before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to them that took Jesus.
YLT‘Men, brethren, it behoved this Writing that it be fulfilled that beforehand the Holy Spirit spake through the mouth of David, concerning Judas, who became guide to those who took Jesus,
DARBYBrethren, it was necessary that the scripture should have been fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before, by the mouth of David, concerning Judas, who became guide to those who took Jesus;
BBEMy brothers, the word of God had to be put into effect, which the Holy Spirit had said before, by the mouth of David, about Judas, who was guide to those who took Jesus,
WebsterMen, brethren, This scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit by the mouth of David spoke before concerning Judas, who was guide to them that took Jesus.

What does Acts 1:16 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 1:15-26

15-26. in those days--of expectant prayer, and probably towards the close of them, when the nature of their future work began more clearly to dawn upon them, and the Holy Ghost, already "breathed" on the Eleven (Joh 20:22), was stirring in Peter, who was to be the leading spirit of the infant community (Mt 16:19). the number ... about an hundred and twenty--Many, therefore, of the "five hundred brethren" who saw…

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Barnes' Notes
Verse 16. Men and brethren. This is a customary mode of address, implying affection and respect, Acts 13:26. The Syriac has it more appropriately than by the introduction of the conjunction "and"-- "Men, our brethren."

This Scripture. This portion or prediction contained in the writings of the Old Testament. Scripture, writing. Jn 5:39. The passage to which Peter refers is commonly supposed to be that recorded in Ps 41:9, "Yea, mine own familiar friend--hath lifted up his heel against me." This is expressly applied to Judas by our Saviour, in Jn 13:18. But it seems clear that the reference is not to the 41st Psalm, but to the passage which Peter proceeds to quote in Acts 1:20.

Must needs have been fulfilled. It would certainly happen that it would be fulfilled. Not that there was any physical necessity, or any compulsion; but it could not but occur that a prediction of God should be fulfilled. This makes no affirmation about the freedom of Judas in doing it. A man will be just as free in wickedness if it be foretold that he will be wicked, as if it had never been known to any other being.

The Holy Ghost, etc. This is a strong attestation to the inspiration of David, and accords with the uniform testimony of the New Testament, that the sacred writer spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, 2Pet 1:21.

Concerning Judas. In what respect this was concerning Judas, see Acts 1:20.

Which was guide, etc. Mt 26:47, Jn 18:3.

(c) "which the Holy Ghost" Ps 41:9, Jn 13:18 (d) "guide to them" Mt 26:47, Jn 18:3

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 16 The Holy Ghost by the mouth of David - Thus is a strong attestation to the Divine inspiration of the book of Psalms. They were dictated by the Holy Spirit, and spoken by the mouth of David.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 1:15-26

The great thing the apostles were to attest to the world, was, Christ's resurrection; for that was the great proof of his being the Messiah, and the foundation of our hope in him. The apostles were ordained, not to wordly dignity and dominion, but to preach Christ, and the power of his resurrection. An appeal was made to God; "Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men," which we do not; and better than they know…

Read the full comment on Acts 1:15-26 →

Acts 1:16 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἄνδρεςandresMenG435
ἀδελφοί,adelphoibrothers,G80
ἔδειedeiit was necessary forG1163
πληρωθῆναιplērōthēnaito have been fulfilledG4137
τὴνtēn<the>G3588
γραφὴνgraphēnScriptureG1124
ἣνhēnwhichG3739
προεῖπενproeipenforetoldG4302
τὸtotheG3588
πνεῦμαpneumaSpiritG4151
τὸto<the>G3588
ἅγιονhagionHolyG40
διὰdiathroughG1223
στόματοςstomatos[the] mouthG4750
ΔαυὶδDauidof DavidG1138
περὶpericoncerningG4012
ἸούδαIoudaJudasG2455
τοῦtouthe [one]G3588
γενομένουgenomenouhaving becomeG1096
ὁδηγοῦhodēgouguideG3595
τοῖςtoisto thoseG3588
συλλαβοῦσινsullabousinhaving arrestedG4815
Ἰησοῦν·IēsounJesus;G2424

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Acts 1:16

  • Psalms 41:9

    Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.

  • John 13:18

    I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.

  • Psalms 55:12-15

    For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.

  • Acts 1:20

    For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.

  • John 12:38-40

    That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

  • Matthew 26:56

    But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

  • Matthew 26:54

    But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

  • Matthew 26:47

    And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

  • John 18:2-8

    And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. …

  • John 10:35

    If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

  • Mark 14:43

    And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.

  • Acts 2:29-31

    Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Men.
2:29,37; 7:2; 13:15,26,38; 15:7,13; 22:1; 23:1,6; 28:17
this.
2:23; 13:27-29; Mt 26:54,56; Joh 10:35; 12:38-40; 19:28-30,36
which the.
2:30,31; 4:25-28; 28:25; 2Sa 23:2; Mr 12:36; Heb 3:7,8; 1Pe 1:11
2Pe 2:21
spake.
Ps 41:9; 55:12-15; Mt 26:47; Joh 13:18; 18:2-8

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Acts 1:15

    And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)

  • Acts 1:16

    Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.

  • Acts 1:17

    For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.

Read all of Acts 1

Acts 1:16 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Varones hermanos, convino que se cumpliese la Escritura, la cual dijo antes el Espíritu Santo por la boca de David, de Judas, que fué guía de los que prendieron á Jesús;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Hommes frères, il fallait que soit accomplie cette écriture que l’Esprit Saint a dite d’avance par la bouche de David, touchant Judas, qui a été le guide de ceux qui ont pris Jésus;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Brüder, es mußte die Schrift erfüllt werden, welche der Heilige Geist durch den Mund Davids vorhergesagt hat über Judas, der denen, die Jesum griffen, ein Wegweiser geworden ist.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Viri fratres, oportet impleri Scripturam quam prædixit Spiritus Sanctus per os David de Juda, qui fuit dux eorum qui comprehenderunt Jesum: