Acts 1:17

Was numbered (kathriqmeno hn). Periphrastic past perfect passive indicative of katariqmew, old verb, but here only in the N.T. (perfective use of kata). Received his portion (elacen ton klhron). Second aorist active indicative of lagcanw, old verb, to obtain by lot as in Luke 1:9 ; John 19:24 , especially by divine appointment as here and 2 Peter 2:1 . Klhro also means lot, an object used in casting lots ( Acts 1:26 ), or what is obtained by lot as here and Acts 8:21 , of eternal salvation ( Acts 26:18 ; Colossians 1:12 ), of persons chosen by divine appointment ( 1 Peter 5:3 ). From this latter usage the Latin cleros, clericus, our clergy, one chosen by divine lot. So Peter says that Judas "obtained by lot the lot of this ministry" (diakonia) which he had when he betrayed Jesus. The Master chose him and gave him his opportunity.