Matthias was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. He was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot after Judas betrayed Jesus and committed suicide. The selection of Matthias is recorded in Acts 1:15-26.
After Judas hanged himself following his betrayal of Jesus, Peter declared to a gathering of about 120 believers that Judas’ replacement must be chosen from among those who had been with them from the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. Two men were proposed: Joseph called Barsabbas and Matthias. After praying for guidance, lots were cast and the lot fell to Matthias, so he was added as the twelfth apostle.
The Bible records nothing else about Matthias’ background or life. We do not know his occupation before becoming an apostle, where he was from, his age, parents, or any other details. The only thing we know for certain is that he had been a follower of Jesus from the beginning, witnessed Jesus’ ministry, saw His resurrection, and was present with the other believers following Jesus’ ascension.
Since Matthias was chosen to replace Judas as one of the twelve apostles, he likely took on the same missionary responsibilities as the others. Tradition states that Matthias preached the gospel in Judea, then later traveled to modern-day Georgia and was martyred there. However, we cannot confirm any details about his life and ministry past what is written in Acts 1.
The selection process of Matthias teaches us some important principles about God’s guidance. The apostles did not simply appoint someone on their own will, but prayed for the Lord’s direction. The specific method of casting lots was familiar in the Old Testament as a way of determining God’s will (Leviticus 16:8-10, Numbers 26:55, Joshua 18:6, 1 Chronicles 24:5, Nehemiah 10:34). Proverbs 16:33 says “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.” So the casting of lots was a way for the apostles to put the decision into God’s hands.
The choice of Matthias also demonstrates the qualifications for apostleship. An apostle had to be an eyewitness of Jesus’ ministry and resurrection. And he had to be personally selected by the Lord for the role, as the original twelve were chosen by Jesus Himself. The biblical record nowhere applies the term “apostle” to anyone other than the thirteen originally appointed (the original twelve plus Matthias). So Matthias met the qualifications.
Matthias’ calling illustrates that God always makes provision for His work to be carried on. When Jesus was crucified, the disciples were distraught and fearful. But Jesus rose again, proving His victory over death. And before ascending to heaven, He made sure the disciples would be able to continue their mission under the Spirit’s power. The addition of Matthias brought their number back to twelve, ready for the promised coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
Though he was not one of the original twelve apostles appointed by Jesus, Matthias held a crucial role. He was carefully chosen to fill Judas’ place, restoring the apostles to full number so they could carry out their commission to take the gospel to all nations under the Spirit’s guidance. The choosing of Matthias provides valuable lessons for how God guides His people.
The Need to Replace Judas Iscariot
After Judas betrayed Jesus and committed suicide, it left a vacancy among the twelve apostles who had been specially chosen by Christ. Peter declares in Acts 1:15-17:
In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” (Acts 1:15-17)
Peter here states that Judas’ betrayal, though wicked, fulfilled Old Testament prophecy. Psalm 41:9 had foretold, “Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.” And Psalm 109:8 said, “May his days be few; may another take his office!”
Jesus Himself referenced these prophecies in John 13:18 and John 17:12. Though Judas was responsible for his actions, his betrayal fit into God’s sovereign plan to bring about redemption through Christ’s crucifixion. Peter says it “had to be fulfilled.” Yet that did not absolve Judas of guilt.
Judas had been allotted a share in the ministry as one of the twelve, but forfeited it through his betrayal. Peter here reminds the believers that Judas’ vacancy must be filled, because the full number twelve represented the twelve tribes of Israel. The Messiah had twelve apostles to show the continuity of God’s people from Old Testament Israel to the New Testament Church.
The Choice of Matthias
To select Judas’ replacement, Peter laid down the criteria in Acts 1:21-22:
So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” (Acts 1:21-22)
Peter specifies that in order to be qualified, a candidate had to have been personally with them throughout Jesus’ ministry, from His baptism through to His ascension. He had to be an eyewitness of Jesus’ resurrection. This ensured continuity with the original apostles who had walked with Christ on earth.
Two men fit the criteria – Joseph called Barsabbas and Matthias. Some early legends identify Barsabbas as being Matthias’ brother, but Scripture tells us nothing else about him.
Acts 1:23-26 describes the process the believers went through to choose between Barsabbas and Matthias:
And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Rather than choosing by their own wisdom, the believers prayed and asked the Lord to reveal His will. The method of casting lots was used previously in the Old Testament to discern God’s will (Leviticus 16:8-10, Numbers 26:55, Joshua 18:6, Proverbs 18:18). Though occasionally abused, it was a way of putting the decision in God’s hands.
Through their prayer and the casting of lots, Matthias was selected to fill the vacancy left by Judas. This process shows that succession was carefully considered. Matthias met the criteria of being a disciple from the very beginning. By God’s providence through the casting of lots, he was chosen and “numbered with the eleven apostles.”
Matthias’ Ministry as an Apostle
Because Matthias was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot as the twelfth apostle, it is reasonable to assume that he carried out the same ministry as the others. Though Scripture gives us no details about his work, we can infer some likely aspects of his service after Pentecost:
- Proclaiming the gospel and bearing witness to Christ’s resurrection wherever he traveled
- Baptizing new believers
- Planting churches and appointing elders
- Exercising spiritual oversight and shepherding
- Distributing aid to the needy in the churches
- Discipling and teaching believers
- Exercising spiritual gifts
- Writing authoritative instruction for the church
Church tradition provides some unconfirmed details about Matthias’ ministry. The Synopsis of Dorotheus reports he first preached in Judea, then later traveled to modern-day Georgia where he was martyred. But while plausible, we cannot verify details about his post-Pentecost work beyond the Book of Acts.
Lessons from Matthias’ Selection
Though Matthias’ actual ministry remains obscure, we can glean some valuable lessons from the account of his selection in Acts 1:
- God makes provision for His work to be carried on. When Jesus was crucified, the disciples were distraught. But the Lord rose again victoriously and ensured their number was restored by twelve before pouring out His Spirit at Pentecost.
- Replacement of leaders must be done carefully and prayerfully. The believers did not simply appoint Matthias on their own wisdom. They set specific criteria, prayed for the Lord’s choice, and trusted His providence in the casting of lots.
- The Lord guides the decisions of His people. Though the casting of lots seems foreign to us, it was one way at the time of seeking God’s will by putting the decision completely in His hands.
- To be an apostle required being an eyewitness of Christ’s resurrection. The unique role of apostles as founders of the church necessitated they see Christ in person following his resurrection.
- Twelve remained a significant number – originally representing the twelve tribes of Israel, and now the apostles to bring the gospel to all nations.
The brief account of Matthias gives us a model for seeking the Lord’s guidance, qualifications for church leadership, and God’s faithfulness in providing for His people. Though little is known about him, Matthias played a crucial role as the twelfth apostle following Judas’ betrayal.
Matthias vs. Paul
Matthias and Paul both served as apostles of Christ. But they came to their apostleship in very different ways:
- Matthias was one of Jesus’ original disciples and met the criteria of witnessing His ministry from beginning to end and His resurrection.
- Paul (known as Saul before his conversion) did not follow Christ during His earthly ministry. His apostleship came through a direct revelation from Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19).
- Matthias was chosen to replace Judas through the casting of lots to discern God’s will.
- Paul was personally appointed by the risen Christ as an apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15, Romans 11:13).
- Matthias sought to continue the existing foundation work of the apostles.
- Paul initiated new missionary journeys taking the gospel outside Israel to the wider Roman Empire.
While Matthias and Paul both held apostolic authority, Matthias worked within the twelve to proclaim Christ’s resurrection in Israel. Paul became the apostle to the Gentiles and planted churches throughout the Roman world. Both were vital to establishing the early church.
Matthias’ Significance
As the Bible records nothing else about Matthias, his significance lies in how he came to be numbered among the twelve apostles:
- Matthias restored the twelve to full number after Judas’ betrayal, fulfilling Scripture and allowing for the promised Spirit outpouring at Pentecost.
- His careful selection set an important precedent for appointment of leaders through prayerful dependence on God’s will.
- Matthias met the vital criteria to be a witness of Christ’s resurrection.
- He provided continuity between Jesus’ original twelve and the early church.
- He occupied a unique office as one of the twelve foundation stones of the church (Ephesians 2:20).
While the Bible gives no details about his ministry, Matthias played a crucial role in the early church as the twelfth apostle. His careful selection and inclusion in the twelve was important evidence of God’s guiding hand in establishing His new covenant people.
Conclusion
In summary, Matthias was the disciple chosen to replace Judas Iscariot as the twelfth apostle after Judas’ betrayal of Jesus. Though not one of the twelve original disciples appointed by Jesus Himself, Matthias met the criteria set by Peter of being an eyewitness of Christ’s entire ministry and resurrection. He was selected by the believers through the casting of lots, which showed God’s providence in the decision. As the newly numbered twelfth apostle, Matthias took on the same missionary duties as the others. Tradition suggests he ministered first in Judea, then traveled possibly as far as modern-day Georgia. While no details are given of his actual work, Matthias played a key part in the early church as one of the twelve apostles upon whom the church was founded.