Matthias
Judas' Successor
Matthias was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot as the twelfth apostle. He had followed Jesus from John's baptism to the ascension and thus witnessed the resurrection. The choice between him and Joseph Barsabbas was decided by casting lots after prayer.
Key events
The Need for a Successor
Peter explained that someone had to take Judas' place as a witness of the resurrection, in accordance with Scripture.
15In those days Peter stood up among the brothers — there were about a hundred and twenty gathered together — and said,
Καὶ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ταύταις ἀναστὰς Πέτρος ἐν μέσῳ τῶν ⸀ἀδελφῶν εἶπεν (ἦν τε ὄχλος ὀνομάτων ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ ⸀ὡς ἑκατὸν εἴκοσι)·
16"Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled that the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus.
Ἄνδρες ἀδελφοί, ἔδει πληρωθῆναι τὴν ⸀γραφὴν ἣν προεῖπε τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον διὰ στόματος Δαυὶδ περὶ Ἰούδα τοῦ γενομένου ὁδηγοῦ τοῖς συλλαβοῦσιν ⸀Ἰησοῦν,
20For it is written in the book of Psalms: 'May his dwelling be deserted; let there be no one to live in it,' and, 'May another take his place of oversight.'
γέγραπται γὰρ ἐν βίβλῳ ψαλμῶν· Γενηθήτω ἡ ἔπαυλις αὐτοῦ ἔρημος καὶ μὴ ἔστω ὁ κατοικῶν ἐν αὐτῇ, καί· Τὴν ἐπισκοπὴν αὐτοῦ ⸀λαβέτω ἕτερος.
21So then, from among the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us —
δεῖ οὖν τῶν συνελθόντων ἡμῖν ἀνδρῶν ἐν παντὶ χρόνῳ ⸀ᾧ εἰσῆλθεν καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἐφʼ ἡμᾶς ὁ κύριος Ἰησοῦς,
22beginning with John's baptism until the day when he was taken up from us — one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection."
ἀρξάμενος ἀπὸ τοῦ βαπτίσματος Ἰωάννου ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ἧς ἀνελήμφθη ἀφʼ ἡμῶν, μάρτυρα τῆς ἀναστάσεως αὐτοῦ ⸂σὺν ἡμῖν γενέσθαι⸃ ἕνα τούτων.
Qualifications
The candidate had to have followed Jesus all the way from John's baptism to the ascension.
21So then, from among the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us —
δεῖ οὖν τῶν συνελθόντων ἡμῖν ἀνδρῶν ἐν παντὶ χρόνῳ ⸀ᾧ εἰσῆλθεν καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἐφʼ ἡμᾶς ὁ κύριος Ἰησοῦς,
22beginning with John's baptism until the day when he was taken up from us — one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection."
ἀρξάμενος ἀπὸ τοῦ βαπτίσματος Ἰωάννου ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ἧς ἀνελήμφθη ἀφʼ ἡμῶν, μάρτυρα τῆς ἀναστάσεως αὐτοῦ ⸂σὺν ἡμῖν γενέσθαι⸃ ἕνα τούτων.
Two Candidates
The congregation put forward two men: Joseph Barsabbas, who was called Justus, and Matthias.
23So they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabbas, also known as Justus, and Matthias.
καὶ ἔστησαν δύο, Ἰωσὴφ τὸν καλούμενον Βαρσαββᾶν, ὃς ἐπεκλήθη Ἰοῦστος, καὶ Μαθθίαν.
Prayer
They prayed: 'Lord, you who know everyone's hearts, show us which of these two you have chosen.'
24Then they prayed, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen
καὶ προσευξάμενοι εἶπαν Σὺ κύριε καρδιογνῶστα πάντων, ἀνάδειξον ὃν ἐξελέξω, ἐκ τούτων τῶν δύο ἕνα,
25to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas abandoned to go where he belongs."
λαβεῖν τὸν ⸀τόπον τῆς διακονίας ταύτης καὶ ἀποστολῆς, ⸀ἀφʼ ἧς παρέβη Ἰούδας πορευθῆναι εἰς τὸν τόπον τὸν ἴδιον.
Choosing by lot
They cast lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. He was counted among the twelve apostles.
26Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
καὶ ἔδωκαν κλήρους ⸀αὐτοῖς, καὶ ἔπεσεν ὁ κλῆρος ἐπὶ Μαθθίαν, καὶ συγκατεψηφίσθη μετὰ τῶν ἕνδεκα ἀποστόλων.