Acts 1:15

Those days. Between the ascension and Pentecost. The ascension came forty days after the resurrection (v. 3). Thus ten days were left until Pentecost, the “fiftieth,” the day of the Feast of Weeks (see on Lev. 23:16; Acts 2:1). See Vol. V, p. 233.

Peter. For his calling, position, and character see on Mark 3:14-16. The lessons he had received from Jesus (Luke 22:32; John 21:15-17; see DA 812, 815) now bear good fruit. His natural gifts have been sanctified through conversion, and he emerges as a leader in the church. But there is nothing dictatorial in his guidance. He stimulates his brethren to concerted action, and subsequent decisions come from the whole group and not from one man. He takes a prominent part in early church affairs. His is the only Pentecostal sermon that is recorded (Acts 2:14-40), and other sermons of his receive special notice (chs. 3:12-26; 4:8-12; 10:34-43). He, with John, performed the first miracle of healing recorded in Acts (ch. 3:1-11), and his miraculous powers are specially mentioned (chs. 5:15; 9:32-41). He plays the chief part in rebuking Ananias and Sapphira (ch. 5:3-11). It is clear that he held a leading position in the early church, but he disappears from Luke’s record after ch. 15:7, and attention is then focused on Paul. For a discussion of the supposed supremacy of Peter see on Matt. 14:28; 16:16-19.

The disciples. Important textual evidence may be cited (cf. p. 10) for the reading “the brethren” (not to be restricted to Christ’s brethren only, as in v. 14, for there were about 120 persons present). The occasion was obviously a formal meeting, called for the election of a twelfth apostle to take the place of Judas Iscariot.

Number of names. Literally, “crowd of names,” that is, group of persons.

Hundred and twenty. The word “about” indicates that this was an approximate figure, but the group is large enough to form a firm foundation for the young church in Jerusalem. The number does not include all those who believed, for “above five hundred brethren” saw Christ after His resurrection (1 Cor. 15:6).