Acts 1 · Verse 23

Acts 1:23

And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
Acts 1:23, King James Version

Acts 1:23 in other translations

BSBSo they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.
WEBThey put forward two: Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias.
ASVAnd they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
YLTAnd they set two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias,
DARBYAnd they appointed two, Joseph, who was called Barsabas, who had been surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
BBEAnd they made selection of two, Joseph, named Barsabbas, whose other name was Justus, and Matthias.
WebsterAnd they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

What does Acts 1:23 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…

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 23. And they appointed two. They proposed, or, as we should say, nominated two. Literally, they placed two, or made them to stand forth, as persons do who are candidates for office. These two were probably more distinguished by prudence, wisdom, piety, and age, than the others; and were so nearly equal in qualifications, that they could not determine which was the best fitted for the office.

Joseph called Barsabas, etc. It is not certainly known what the name Barsabas denotes. The Syriac word bar means son, and the word sabas has been translated an oath, rest, quiet, or captivity. Why the name was given to Joseph is not known; but probably it was the family name--Joseph son, of Sabas. Some have conjectured that this was the same man who, in Acts 4:36, is called Barnabas. But of this there is no proof. Lightfoot supposes that he was the son of Alpheus, and brother of James the Less, and that he was chosen on account Of his relationship to the family of the Lord Jesus.

Was surnamed Justus. Who was called Justus. This is a Latin name, meaning just, and was probably given him on account of his distinguished integrity. It was not uncommon among the Jews for a man to have several names, Mt 10:3.

And Matthias. Nothing is known of the family of this man, or of his character, further than that he was numbered with the apostles, and shared their lot in the toils, and persecutions, and honours of preaching the gospel to mankind.

(a) "Barsabas" Acts 15:22

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 23 They appointed two - These two were probably of the number of the seventy disciples; and, in this respect, well fitted to fill up the place. It is likely that the disciples themselves were divided in opinion which of these two was the most proper person, and therefore laid the matter before God, that he might decide it by the lot. No more than two candidates were presented; probably because the attention of the brethren had been drawn to those two alone, as having been most intimately acquainted with our Lord, or in being better qualified for the work than any of the rest; but they knew not which to prefer. Joseph called Barsabas - Some MSS. read Joses Barnabas, making him the same with Joses Barnabas, Act 4:36. But the person here is distinguished from the person there, by being called Justus.

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 1:23 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.

καὶkaiAndG2532
ἔστησανestēsanthey put forwardG2476
δύο,duotwo,G1417
ἸωσὴφIōsēphJosephG2501
τὸνtonwhoG3588
καλούμενονkaloumenonis being calledG2564
ΒαρσαββᾶνBarsabbanBarsabbasG923
ὃςhoswhoG3739
ἐπεκλήθηepeklēthēwas calledG1941
ἸοῦστοςIoustosJustusG2459
καὶkaiandG2532
Μαθθίαν.MaththianMatthias.G3159

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

Cross references for Acts 1:23

  • Acts 15:22

    Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

  • Acts 1:26

    And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Barsabas.
15:22

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

Context

  • Acts 1:22

    Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

  • Acts 1:23

    And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

  • Acts 1:24

    And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,

Read all of Acts 1

Acts 1:23 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y señalaron á dos: á José, llamado Barsabas, que tenía por sobrenombre Justo, y á Matías.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et ils en mirent deux sur les rangs: Joseph, appelé Barsabbas, qui était surnommé Juste, et Matthias.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und sie stellten zwei dar: Joseph, genannt Barsabas, der Justus zubenamt war, und Matthias.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Et statuerunt duos, Joseph, qui vocabatur Barsabas, qui cognominatus est Justus, et Mathiam.