Page:An Exposition of the Old and New Testament (1828) vol 6.djvu/18

12 though there they were in the midst of enemies; but it should seem that though immediately after Christ's resurrection they were watched, and were in fear of the Jews, yet after it was known that they were gone into Galilee, no notice was taken of their return to Jerusalem, nor any further search made for them. God can find out hiding-places for his people in the midst of their enemies, and so influence Saul, that he shall not seek for David any more. At Jerusalem they went up into an upper room, and there abode; not that they all lodged and dieted together in one room, but there they assembled every day, and spent time together in religious exercises, in expectation of the descent of the Spirit. Divers conjectures the learned have about this upper room; some think it was one of the upper rooms in the temple; but it cannot be thought that the chief priests, who had the letting of those rooms, would suffer Christ's disciples constantly to reside in any of them. It was said indeed, by the same historian, that they were continually in the temple; (Luke 24. 53.) but that was in the courts of the temple, at the hours of prayer, where they could not be hindered from attending; but, it should seem, this upper room was in a private house. Mr. Gregory, of Oxford, is of that mind, and quotes a Syriac scholiast upon this place, who says that it was the same upper room in which they had eaten the passover; and though that was called, ἀνώγεον, this, ὑπερῷον, both may signify the same. "Whether," says he, "it was in the house of St. John the evangelist, as Euodius delivered, or that of Mary the mother of John Mark, as others have collected, cannot be certain." Notes, ch. 13.

3. Who the disciples were, that kept together. The eleven apostles are here named, (v. 13.) so is Mary the mother of our Lord, (v. 14.) and it is the last time that ever any mention is made of her in the scriptures. There were others that are here said to be the brethren of our Lord, his kinsmen according to the flesh; and, to make up the hundred and twenty spoken of, (v. 15.) we may suppose that all or most of the seventy disciples were with them, that were associates with the apostles, and were employed as evangelists.

4. How they spent their time; They all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication. Observe,

(1.) They prayed, and made supplication. All God's people are praying people, and give themselves to prayer. It was now a time of trouble and danger with the disciples of Christ, they were as sheep in the midst of wolves; and, ''Is any afflicted ? Let him pray;'' that will silence cares and fears. They had new work before them, great work, and before they entered upon it, they were instant in prayer to God for his presence with them in it. Before they were first sent forth, Christ spent time in prayer for them, and now they in prayer for themselves. They were waiting for the descent of the Spirit upon them, and therefore abounded thus in prayer. The Spirit descended upon our Saviour when he was praying, Luke 3. 21. Those are in the best frame to receive spiritual blessings, that are in a praying frame. Christ had promised now shortly to send the Holy Ghost; now that promise was not to supersede prayer, but to quicken and encourage it. God will be inquired of for promised mercies, and the nearer the performance seems to be, the more earnest we should be in prayer for it.

(2.) They continued in prayer, spent much time in it more than ordinary, prayed frequently, and were long in prayer. They never missed an hour of prayer; they resolved to persevere herein till the Holy Ghost came, according to the promise; to pray, and not to faint. It was said, (Luke 24. 53.) They were praising and blessing God; here, They continued in prayer and supplication; for as praise for the promise is a decent way of begging for the performance, and praise for former mercy of begging further mercy; so, in seeking to God, we give him the glory of the mercy and grace which we have found in him.

(3.) They did this with one accord; that intimates that they were together in holy love, and that there was no quarrel or discord among them; and those who so keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, are best prepared to receive the comforts of the Holy Ghost. It also speaks their worthy concurrence in the supplications that were made; though but one spake, they all prayed, and if, when two agree to ask, it shall be done for them, much more when many agree in the same petition. See Matt. 18. 19.

15. And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of the names together were about an hundred and twenty,) 16. Men and brethren, This Scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. 17. For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. 18. Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. 19. And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. 20. For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishopric let another take. 21. Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22. Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. 23. And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24. And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 25. That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. 26. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

The sin of Judas was not only his shame and ruin, but it made a gap in the college of the apostles. They were ordained twelve, with an eye to the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from the twelve patriarchs; they were the twelve stars that make up the church's crown, (Rev. 12. 1.) and for them twelve thrones were designed, Matt. 19. 28. Now being twelve when they were learners, if they were