¹⁵At this time Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren (a gathering of about one hundred and twenty persons was there together), and said, ¹⁶“Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. ¹⁷For he was counted among us and received his share in this ministry.” ¹⁸(Now this man acquired a field with the price of his wickedness, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his intestines gushed out. ¹⁹And it became known to all who were living in Jerusalem; so that in their own language that field was called Hakeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) ²⁰”For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his homestead be made desolate, And let no one dwell in it’; and, ‘Let another man take his office.’”

As the first order of business, Peter, who became the early leader among leaders, rises to the need of replacing Judas among the twelve. As one commentator puts it, “Treachery or betrayal was considered one of the most heinous offenses in antiquity, a breach of sacred trust. Most ancients regarded with disgust traitors against their own peoples; such behavior was worthy of death. Disloyalty to friends likewise remained despicable” (Acts, Craig Keener). Replacing Judas must have been a humbling experience for them all, especially Peter, who had repeatedly disowned the Lord!

However, the shame of Judas in the eyes of the eleven—a shame they also to some degree must have felt themselves—was overridden by Peter’s interpretation of the OT prophecies concerning Judas’ betrayal: “The Scripture had to be fulfilled.” To be sure, Jesus had said, “[W]oe to that man by whom He [Jesus] is betrayed” (Luke 22:22). Here we see the principle Joseph elucidated in the late Patriarchal period, “[Y]ou meant it for evil . . . but God meant it for good” (Gen. 50:20). One activity, two different purposes, the divine overshadowing the human. God was and is still sovereign, yet Judas was responsible for his actions, and thus his judgment followed. Any shame or embarrassment the disciples may have harbored was replaced with the sense of God’s higher, overriding purpose. At heart, though, Judas was a betrayer; Peter’s denial came not from premeditated disloyalty, but from being blindsided with fear.

Luke, being fastidious in his facts, lays out the gory details of Judas’ demise. And he roots it in an inspired interpretation (or application) of Psalm 69:25 and Psalm 109:8, which depict the fate of King David’s enemies. Above all, God takes disloyalty quite seriously. And so we understand, later, the demise of Ananias and Sapphira in this light (Acts 5:1ff). And the position of Judas among the twelve must be replaced.

Lord, above all, I want to be loyal to You, just as You are loyal to me.