Acts 1:15-20

15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of 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 bishoprick let another take.

those days (v.15) — The 10 days between the ascension and Pentecost.

Peter (v.15) — He has taken the leadership role (Luke 22:31-32; John 21:15-19).

hundred and twenty (v.15) — not the whole number of believers. 1 Corinthians 15:6 says Jesus appeared to 500 brethren after His resurrection.

this Scripture (v.16) — referring to his quotes in verse 20

the Holy Spirit by the mouth of David (v.16) — Peter and the apostles knew the Scriptures were divinely inspired.

Judas (v.16) — He never did believe in Jesus as Savior (Psalm 41:9; John 6:70). Perhaps he thought Jesus was Messiah and was disappointed that He didn’t overthrow the Romans and reign as king.

guide (v.16) — Matthew 26:47-49; Luke 22:47; John 18:2-3. The word translated “guide” is only used in the New Testament for unholy men.

obtained (v.17) — received — in this case, by divine appointment

part of this ministry (v.17) = share or portion

purchased a field (v.18) — Matthew 27:6-10 says the field was bought by the chief priests, but according to Jewish law, the 30 pieces of silver still belonged to Judas, so the priests bought it in his name. The field lay across the valley of Hinnom, a little west of, and above, the spot where the Kidron and Hinnom valleys emerge. It had soft soil with jagged rocks sticking up.

According to Matthew’s account, Judas “hanged himself,” and this has led some to conclude that we have in the two narratives separate and irreconcilable “traditions.” But no real discrepancy exists. The facts recorded here are clearly supplementary, not contradictory, to those contained in the Gospel account. It would seem that, when the traitor hanged himself, the rope or girdle with which the noose was made broke under his weight, or possibly the knot became unloosed, and so he fell with violence on to one of those jutting rocks which emerge from the clayey soil of the potter’s field. By headlong, is meant “head foremost,” and perhaps, “face downwards.” The word rendered “burst asunder” occurs only here in the New Testament and really means to “crack with a loud noise.” All these circumstantial details serve to call attention to the tragic fate of the traitor and so to mark out for special detestation the heinousness of his sin. — Walker, pages 18-19.

in their proper tongue (v.19) — language — Aramaic — After the Babylonian captivity, Aramaic gradually replaced Hebrew as the common language in Judea.

written in the book of Psalms (v.20) —Psalm 69:25 and Psalm 109:8. The quotes are from the Septuagint.

habitation (v.20) = camping place

bishopric (v.20) = office of an overseer