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 1:15KJV
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Acts 1:15 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“twenty” Greek G1501 · used in 11 verses

  • Luke 14:31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
  • 1 Corinthians 10:8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
  • Revelation 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

“hundred” Greek G1540 · used in 17 verses

  • Matthew 13:8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
  • Mark 4:20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
  • John 19:39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.

“those” Greek G5025 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 13:53 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.
  • Luke 13:14 And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.
  • Acts 11:27 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.

“midst” Greek G3319 · used in 59 verses

  • Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
  • Luke 10:3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
  • Acts 23:10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.