Acts 1:24

24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, that knowest the hearts of all men, show whom thou hast chosen of these twain [of these two],

Acts 1:24 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 1:24

And they prayed and said
Having proposed the above two persons, and not well knowing which to pitch upon, they being both very agreeable and fit for such service; they chose not to determine the affair without seeking to God for direction; a method to be taken in all cases, and especially in matters of importance: and the substance of their petition, though perhaps not in just the same words, was,

thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men;
which is a character peculiar to the one only living, and true God; for none knows the hearts of men, but God, who is the Maker of them; and he knows all the thoughts, counsels, and purposes of them, and the good or bad that is in them:

shew whether of these two thou hast chosen;
being desirous of having their choice directed by the choice God had made, in his eternal mind; and which they desired might be signified and pointed out to them, in some way or another, that they might be certain of the mind and will of God, and act according to it.

Acts 1:24 In-Context

22 and began from the baptism of John till into the day in which he was taken up from us [beginning from the baptism of John unto the day in which he was taken up from us], that one of these be made a witness of his resurrection with us.

23 And they ordained twain [And they ordained two], Joseph, that was called Barsabas, that was named Justus, and Matthias.

24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, that knowest the hearts of all men, show whom thou hast chosen of these twain [of these two],

25 that one take the place of this service and apostlehood [one to take the place of this ministry and apostlehood], of which Judas trespassed, that he should go into his place.

26 And they gave lots to them, and the lot felled on Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.