What does Acts 1:21 Mean?

Context Summary

It may be that the Apostles were acting upon Christ's directions, when they proceeded to the election of a successor to Judas. There was awe in Peter's voice, as he describes the traitor as the guide of the arresting band, although he had been numbered with the Apostles and had obtained part in their ministry. It was as though Peter felt that it might have been himself. He and the rest had stood at the brink of the precipice over which Judas had flung himself.

Evidently there were favored and humble men who, though they did not belong to the brotherhood, had been allowed to company with the Apostles, and had been witnesses of the marvelous story as it had been unrolled before their eyes. They were thus able to give their testimony first-hand. What an honor had been theirs! And now one of them was summoned to take the place of Judas. His qualification was his ability to bear witness to the Resurrection, Acts 1:22. That was the salient point in the primitive evangel. But cannot we all bear witness to it? What but the resurrection of Jesus can account for the hot springs of religious fervor that arise in our wintry hearts! [source]

Chapter Summary: Acts 1

¹  Christ, preparing his apostles to the beholding of his ascension,
⁴  gathers them together unto the Mount of Olives,
⁶  commands them to expect in Jerusalem the sending down of the Holy Spirit,
⁹  and ascends into heaven in their sight
¹⁰  After his ascension they are warned by two angels to depart, and to set their minds upon his second coming
¹²  They accordingly return, and, giving themselves to prayer,
²³  choose Matthias apostle in the place of Judas