For it is written
This phrase underscores the authority and divine inspiration of Scripture. The Greek word for "written" is "γέγραπται" (gegraptai), which is in the perfect tense, indicating a completed action with ongoing relevance. This highlights the enduring truth and applicability of the Scriptures. In a conservative Christian perspective, this affirms the belief that the Bible is the infallible Word of God, serving as the ultimate guide for faith and practice.

in the Book of Psalms
The Book of Psalms is a collection of songs, prayers, and poetry that express the heart of worship and the human experience in relation to God. The Psalms are often prophetic, pointing to the Messiah and the unfolding plan of God. The reference to the Psalms here connects the events of the New Testament with the Old Testament, showing the continuity and fulfillment of God's promises.

'May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,'
This quotation is from Psalm 69:25, a psalm of David. The phrase "his place" refers to the habitation or office of Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus. The Greek word for "place" is "τόπος" (topos), which can mean a physical location or a position of responsibility. The desolation of Judas's place signifies the consequences of betrayal and sin. Historically, this reflects the judgment that comes upon those who turn away from God's path.

and, 'May another take his position.'
This part of the verse is from Psalm 109:8. The Greek word for "position" is "ἐπισκοπή" (episkopē), which can mean oversight or office, often used in the context of church leadership. The call for another to take Judas's position emphasizes the restoration and continuation of God's work despite human failure. It reflects the principle of divine providence, where God's purposes are fulfilled even when individuals falter. This is inspirational for believers, reminding them that God's plans are not thwarted by human shortcomings.

(20) For it is written in the book of Psalms--St. Peter's speech is continued after the parenthetical note. His purpose in making the quotation is to show that the disciples should not be staggered by the treachery of Judas, and the seeming failure of their hopes. The Psalms had represented the righteous sufferer as the victim of treachery. They had also spoken of the traitor as receiving a righteous punishment such as had now fallen upon Judas. No strange thing had happened. What had been of old was typical of what they had heard or known. We need not in this place discuss either the historical occasions of the Psalms cited, or the ethical difficulties presented by their imprecations of evil. Neither comes, so to speak, within the horizon of St. Peter's thoughts. It was enough for him to note the striking parallelism which they presented to what was fresh in his memory, and to believe that it was not accidental.

His bishoprick let another take.--Better, as in Psalm 109:8, let another take his office. The Greek word is episcope, which, as meaning an office like that of the episcopos, is, of course, in one sense, rightly translated by "bishoprick." The latter term is, however, so surrounded by associations foreign to the apostolic age that it is better to use the more general, and, therefore, neutral, term of the English version of the Psalm. The use of "bishoprick" may be noted as an instance of the tendency of the revisers of 1611 to maintain the use of "bishop" and the like where the office seemed to be placed on a high level (as here and in 1Peter 2:25), while they use "overseer" and "oversight" (as in Acts 20:28, and 1Peter 5:2) where it is identified with the functions of the elders or presbyters of the Church. "Bishoprick" had, however, been used in all previous versions except the Geneva, which gives "charge."

Verse 20. - Made desolate for desolate, A.V.; office (as in margin) for bishopric, A.V. The book of Psalms, one of the recognized divisions of the canonical Scriptures, as we find Luke 24:44, "The law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms," the last standing for the Hagiographa, of which it was the first and principal book. Here, however, as in Luke 20:42, it may rather mean the Book of Psalms proper. (For similar quotations from the Psalms, see Acts 13:33-35; Hebrews 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, etc.) His office let another take. Bishop being the English transliteration of ἐπίσκοπος, bishopric is, of course, the literal rendering of ἐπισκοπή; if taken in its wider and more general sense, as in the well-known work of Archdeacon Evans? "the bishopric of souls." This same office is called a διακονία (a deaconship), and ἀποστολὴ (an apostleship) in vers. 17 and 25. So St. Paul cells himself διάκονος (a minister) in Ephesians 3:7; Colossians 1:23, 25, etc. So the presbyters of the Church are called bishops (Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Timothy 1:1, 2. etc.). The ecclesiastical names for the different offices in the Church only acquired their distinctive use later, and by the gradual growth of custom. In the Septuagint, ἐπισκοπή answers to the Hebrew פְקֻדָּה, A.V., "oversight" (Numbers 3:32; Numbers 4:16, etc.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


“For
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

it is written
Γέγραπται (Gegraptai)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1125: A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[the] book
βίβλῳ (biblō)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 976: Properly, the inner bark of the papyrus plant, i.e. a sheet or scroll of writing.

of Psalms:
Ψαλμῶν (Psalmōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 5568: From psallo; a set piece of music, i.e. A sacred ode; collectively, the book of the Psalms.

‘{May} his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

dwelling
ἔπαυλις (epaulis)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1886: A farm, estate, dwelling, habitation. From epi and an equivalent of aule; a hut over the head, i.e. A dwelling.

be
Γενηθήτω (Genēthētō)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

deserted;
ἔρημος (erēmos)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2048: Lonesome, i.e. waste.

let there be
ἔστω (estō)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

no
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

[one]
ὁ (ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

to live
κατοικῶν (katoikōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2730: To dwell in, settle in, be established in (permanently), inhabit. From kata and oikeo; to house permanently, i.e. Reside.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

it,’
αὐτῇ (autē)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

and,
Καί (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

‘{May} another
ἕτερος (heteros)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2087: (a) of two: another, a second, (b) other, different, (c) one's neighbor. Of uncertain affinity; other or different.

take
λαβέτω (labetō)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2983: (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of.

his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

office.’
ἐπισκοπὴν (episkopēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1984: From episkeptomai; inspection; by implication, superintendence; specially, the Christian 'episcopate'.


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NT Apostles: Acts 1:20 For it is written in the book (Acts of the Apostles Ac)