Acts 1:15-19

Matthias Chosen to Take Judas' Office

Sometime during that period of waiting, Peter addressed a group of about 120 disciples in reference to the office formerly held by Judas. He had to be replaced because he had been numbered with them and had a part in the ministry the Lord had given to the apostles.

The entire assembly would have been acquainted with the facts surrounding Judas' death and the purchase of the "Field of Blood." Having realized what he had done, Judas threw the thirty pieces of silver down in the temple and went out and hanged himself. From what Luke further reports, we conclude either the branch he used to hang himself on or the rope itself broke and Judas' body fell and burst open. The chief priests did not feel blood money should be placed in the treasury, so they purchased a field in which to bury strangers (Acts 1:15-19; Matthew 27:3-10).