Yes — the disciples expected Jesus to restore Israel's earthly kingdom to its former national glory, and they asked whether He would do it at that time.
The words "restore again" pointed back to Israel's past glory under David and Solomon. The disciples were not asking about a spiritualized kingdom but about a real, political kingdom on earth, and they excitedly wondered if the Messiah's reign would now begin.
Acts 1:6 — This is the exact question the disciples asked Jesus on the Mount of Olives, revealing their expectation of a restored kingdom.
Matthew 19:27 — This earlier question from Peter shows the disciples were already thinking about what they would receive for following Jesus.
In Acts 1:6, after Jesus had commanded the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father, they asked Him: "Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" The wording itself points to a kingdom that had existed before and could be brought back. In Matthew 19:27, Peter asked Jesus, "Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?" This records the disciples' ongoing interest in what they would gain as followers. Scripture also records that this question was asked on the Mount of Olives, with the risen Jesus and the eleven disciples present.
Les Feldick teaches that the key to the disciples' question is found in the two words "restore again." These words show they were asking about something that had existed in the past. For Israel, the pinnacle of national glory had been reached under David and Solomon, and that glory had spread to the known world. Les points out that the kingdom of David and Solomon was a real, political kingdom on earth under the authority of a king—not an ethereal, spiritualized kingdom. The disciples understood that even Solomon's glory was nothing compared to what it would be when their Messiah ruled and reigned, so they were excited and asked if it was going to happen now. Les also emphasizes that the disciples had not comprehended Jesus' predictions of His death and resurrection. Jesus had plainly told them He would go to Jerusalem, be killed, and rise the third day, but they understood none of it. After His death, they had no idea He would rise from the dead; otherwise, they would have been at the tomb that Sunday morning. Their expectation of the kingdom remained uppermost in their minds.
On the Mount of Olives, with Jesus and the eleven (Judas gone and the replacement not yet chosen), the disciples asked, "Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" Les Feldick notes that the question was natural because the kingdom concept had begun with Israel under David and Solomon and had reached a pinnacle of glory. The disciples wanted to know if that glorious kingdom, now surpassing Solomon's, was about to arrive.
Les emphasizes that the two words "restore again" make all the difference in Acts 1:6. They point to something from the past that would be brought back on the scene for a second time. For the disciples, that past kingdom was the earthly, political kingdom of David and Solomon—a kingdom that was real, here on earth, under the authority of a king. They were not thinking of a merely spiritual or heavenly kingdom.
Despite Jesus' plain statements that He would be put to death and rise the third day, the disciples comprehended none of it. They had no idea He was going to die, and after He was dead, they had no idea He would rise from the dead. As Les points out, if they had expected the resurrection, why weren't they at the tomb that Sunday morning? Their attention was still fixed on the prospect of the kingdom being restored to Israel.
Les points back to Matthew 19:27 when explaining why the disciples asked about the kingdom. Peter asked Jesus what they would have, since they had forsaken everything and followed Him. Their question in Acts 1 reflects the same practical hope: as followers of the Messiah, they wanted to know what was coming for them and for Israel.
Disciples Did Not Comprehend Jesus' Death and Resurrection
Jesus had told the Twelve He would be killed and rise again, but they understood none of it. They did not expect the resurrection and therefore kept their focus on a restored earthly kingdom.
The Kingdom Began With David and Solomon
The kingdom concept had its beginnings with Israel under David and Solomon and reached a pinnacle of glory; the disciples asked if it would be restored again. This kingdom was real, political, and on earth.
Expecting a Glory Greater Than Solomon's
The disciples knew that even Solomon's glory was nothing compared to the glory of the Messiah's reign, so they were excited and asked if now was the time.
Peter's Matthew 19 Question
Les points back to Matthew 19:27 to show the disciples were asking what they would receive as followers of Jesus, which helps explain their Acts 1 question.
The Meaning of 'Restore Again'
The words 'restore again' show the disciples were asking about something from the past—Israel's kingdom under David and Solomon—and wanted it brought back.
Solomon's Glory as the High Point
For the Jews of Jesus' day, Solomon's kingdom stood as the high point of Israel's history, and the Queen of Sheba said even the half of its glory had not been told.
Old Testament Prophecies Pointed to This Kingdom
Les shows that the Old Testament prophecies, such as Isaiah, were looking forward to the coming kingdom the disciples were asking about.
Jesus and the Eleven on the Mount of Olives
The question was asked by Jesus and the eleven on the Mount of Olives, with Judas gone and Matthias not yet chosen. Les also stresses reading the words 'restore again' carefully.
Acts 1:6: When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
This is the direct question the disciples asked Jesus and the central verse for understanding their expectation.
Matthew 19:27: Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
This earlier question shows the disciples were already thinking about what they would receive as followers of Jesus.
Yes. Les Feldick says the kingdom of David and Solomon was a real, political kingdom on earth under the authority of a king. The disciples asked if that kingdom would be restored again.
They were on the Mount of Olives with the risen Jesus, and they wanted to know if now was the moment when Israel's kingdom would be restored. They were excited because the Messiah's reign would be even more glorious than Solomon's.
No. Jesus had told them He would be killed and rise again, but they comprehended none of it. They did not expect His resurrection; otherwise, Les says, they would have been at the tomb.
It pointed back to a kingdom that had existed before—Israel's glory under David and Solomon. The disciples were asking Jesus to bring that kingdom back on the scene.
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