Restoration of God’s People in Jerusalem (1:12–7:60)

After the disciples witnessed the ascension of Jesus, they “went upstairs to the room where they were staying” (1:13). This room may remind the readers of the “large room upstairs” (Luke 22:12) where Jesus had his Last Supper with his disciples. After the Last Supper, Jesus went to the Mount of Olives to pray, but the disciples failed to be alert in prayers (Luke 22:45). After his ascension, however, these disciples also return from “the Mount of Olives” (1:12), but they are now “constantly in prayer” (1:14).

This section that describes the selection of Matthias to replace Judas is surprising in light of the fact that Matthias will never reappear in Luke’s narrative. The focus of this episode is not, however, on Matthias the individu…