Acts 1:16

Men and brethren. Literally, “men, brethren.” Some have suggested that Peter particularly addressed the men in the company, and that they alone took part in the election of the twelfth apostle.

This scripture. Rather, “the scripture,” which is quoted in v. 20. Note how, from its beginning, the apostolic church appealed to the OT for its authority.

Must needs. Not that events were engineered to fit the scripture, but that scripture, inspired by the Holy Ghost, foresaw the events. Matthew has many somewhat similar uses of OT quotations (see on Matt. 1:22).

Holy Ghost. Here Peter reveals the disciples’ convictions concerning the inspiration of David’s psalms. They believed that David spoke (or wrote) as the mouthpiece of the Spirit. This teaching accords with 2 Tim. 3:16 and 2 Peter 1:21.

Judas. Note the way in which the apostle uses Scripture. He sees its fulfillment after the event, and boldly applies it to an individual, Judas, although David does not mention the betrayer by name.

Which was guide. Literally, “became a guide” (see on Matt. 26:3, 14, 47). What a fearful change in occupation! He who had been ordained to lead men to Christ that they might be saved, chose to lead men to Christ that the Saviour might be destroyed. But note the restraint in the description of Judas. In spite of the horror that Peter and his fellow apostles must have felt, there are no recriminations. He leaves the judgment of Judas in the hands of God.