Acts 1:19

Known unto all. Rather, “it became known.” As the report of the treachery of Judas and his suicidal death spread abroad, it probably influenced the people of Jerusalem in Christ’s favor, for they would realize that He was the victim of priestly plots and a disciple’s betrayal. Furthermore, the scenes of the crucifixion had been witnessed by crowds (Luke 23:27, 35; John 19:19, 20; DA 741, 775-777). Those who rose from the grave after the great earthquake, appeared to many (Matt. 27:52, 53; DA 786). The events attending the sacrifice of Christ for sinners did not take place secretly; they were not hidden in a corner (Acts 26:26).

Is called. Some have suggested that the use of the verb form “is called” provides unstudied evidence that Luke wrote the Acts before the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, after which event place names, except the most significant, would be largely lost sight of.

Their proper tongue. Literally, “their own dialect [dialektos].” This would suggest that Aramaic was not Luke’s own language, and that he was not a Jew.

Aceldama. A transliteration, through Greek, of the Aramaic, chaqel dema’, “the field of blood.” Tradition associates it with Hakk ed-Dumm, on the south bank of the Valley of Hinnom, to the south of Jerusalem (see on Matt. 5:22). The field bought with the 30 pieces of silver was used for burying strangers who lacked relatives or friends to inter them (Matt. 27:6-10; cf. Zech. 11:12, 13).