Acts 1:19

And it became known to all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch that in their language that field was called Akeldama, that is, The field of blood.)

'AND IT BECAME KNOWN TO ALL THE DWELLERS AT JERUSALEM'-Reese notes, 'Some one found the body. And by and by, the scene in the temple, the acts of the priests in purchasing the field, and the discovery of Judas' body (possibly in that very field-even though the text doesn't say), all would become known.' (p. 25) Luke is telling the reader, that he has been to Jerusalem, and the cat is out of the bag. People know why the priests bought the potters field, they know the bargain transacted between Judas and the priests, etc..

'IN THEIR LANGUAGE'-Notice how God helps us to properly understand His revelation. For the non-Jewish reader, words are defined. Carefully note that what is found parenthesis in verses 18-19, is Luke by inspiration assisting the reader to understand what had transpired. Verses 18-19 are his inspired editorial comments to help the reader understand Peter's speech.

'AKELDAMA'-(ah kell DA mah) 'A tradition from the fourth century places this plot of ground on the Hill of Evil Counsel,. level plot overlooking the Valley of Hinnom.' (Nelsons p. 33)

'THAT IS, THE FIELD OF BLOOD'-The people nick-named this field 'the field of blood', either because they realized that it had been purchased with 'blood-money', and or the mangled body of Judas was found there.

McGarvey notes: 'The probability is that the piece of land had been rendered comparatively worthless by the excavations which the potter had made in search of potter's clay (Matthew 27:7)..' (p. 13) And this is why the chief priests were able to pick of this piece of land which so was close to the city of Jerusalem.