1.2. WHEN A SCRIPTURE NEEDED TO BE FULFILLED

Acts 1:20 "For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, ..." (KJV)

Psalm 69:25 "Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents." (KJV)

The psalmist describes the consequences that come to those who mercilessly persecute and invent lying accusations against the righteous, particularly those under discipline from God (Psalm 69:26 ). The Lord Jesus foretold the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem as "your house is left unto you desolate" (Matthew 23:38 KJV) as a consequence of their rejection of Him (Matthew 23:37-24:2 ). The condition of Israel is described by Paul from this same psalm (Psalm 69:22-23 ). Their rejection of Christ Jesus leaves them blinded and bowed down (Romans 11:9-10 ). Like Paul we should long for their eyes to be opened and their heads lifted up. This happens when individually they receive the Saviour - the time when Israel "shall be saved" is coming (Romans 11:26 KJV). Peter saw a fulfilment of this Scripture (Psalm 69:25 ) in the case of Judas.

C.H.Spurgeon commented, "What occurs to families and nations is often fulfilled in individuals, as was conspicuously the case with Judas. to whom Peter referred this prophesy (Acts 1:20 )."

The place of Judas's death has become desolate.

Acts 1:18-19 "Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. " (KJV)

Recognising the difficulties of reconciling the two accounts of the death by suicide of Judas, (Matthew 27:3-10 and Acts 1:18-19 ), most commentaries suggest probabilities, when in fact, there are missing pieces of information that prevent a full or correct answer. This account in Acts affirms Judas to be the owner of the field where his self-destroyed body fell, and that it became known as "the field of blood" (Acts 1:19 KJV), fulfilling a principle of Scripture (Psalm 69:25 ) in that the place became desolate - not lived in by man.

Craig S. Keener helps us understand the method of interpretation used by Peter in Acts 1:20.

"Here, Peter uses the Jewish interpretation principle qol vahomer, or "how much more" argument: if the psalmist (Psalm 69:25; 109:8 ) could speak this of prominent accusers of the righteous in general, how much more does this principle apply to the epitome of wickedness, the betrayer of the Messiah?" The IVP Bible background Commentary (c) 1993 by Craig S. Keener. Intervarsity Press.

The plural of the Psalm "their" is changed in Acts by Peter to the singular "his" in direct reference to Judas. The principle of God's judgment that Peter emphasised as fulfilled in the case of Judas was what the psalmist emphasised: Those who sought to remove him from his place - may they be removed. Peter was led to fit this application of judgment to Judas. The "how much more" argument is clear - Judas wickedly acted to remove Jesus, consequently Judas himself was removed in a manner that left the place he owned rejected for human habitation.