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 1:15KJVWhat does Acts 1:15 mean?
Acts 1:15 describes how Peter stood up among the believers, who numbered about 120 people, and began to speak to them. This verse sets the scene for an important moment when the early followers of Jesus were gathered together after His ascension, preparing for what would come next.
Peter, one of Jesus’ closest disciples, takes a leadership role by addressing the group. The mention of “about an hundred and twenty” highlights the small but significant size of the early Christian community at this time. This gathering happened in Jerusalem, shortly before the selection of a new apostle to replace Judas.
The Greek behind Acts 1:15
- μέσῳ (mesō, “midst”): This word means “in the middle” or “among.” It shows that Peter was not set apart from the group but was right there among the other disciples, emphasizing unity.
- ὀνόματα (onomata, “names”): The Greek word for “names” is often used to refer to people themselves. Here, it underlines that each person present was known and counted as an individual.
- ἑκατὸν εἴκοσι (hekaton eikosi, “hundred twenty”): The specific number shows that this was a relatively small group, giving a sense of the early church’s humble beginnings.
Why Acts 1:15 matters
- Acts 1:15 clarifies that the early group of Jesus’ followers was not large, which helps explain the challenges and close-knit nature of the first Christian community.
- The verse shows Peter stepping into a leadership role, which becomes important for understanding his influence in the early church.
- By mentioning the exact number of people, Acts 1:15 connects this moment to the following verses, where the group makes a significant decision together, showing their unity and shared purpose.