Yes, the disciples expected Jesus to restore the kingdom to Israel and to rule with them on thrones.
The disciples, after Christ's resurrection, asked if He would restore the kingdom to Israel. They were thinking of a literal, political kingdom like David's and Solomon's, with Christ as King and themselves ruling the twelve tribes. This expectation was based on Old Testament prophecies and Jesus' own promises.
Acts 1:6 — This verse records the disciples asking Jesus if He would restore the kingdom to Israel, directly revealing their expectation.
Matthew 19:28 — Jesus promised the disciples they would sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel, fueling their kingdom expectations.
The disciples asked Jesus, 'Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?' (Acts 1:6). This question shows they were looking for a restoration of a literal kingdom, like that of David and Solomon. In Matthew 19:28, Jesus had told them, 'Ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.'
Les Feldick emphasizes that the disciples were completely focused on the kingdom, understanding it as a real, political kingdom on earth. They were not thinking about the Church or going to the Gentiles; their minds were set on the restoration of Israel and their own positions of authority. Jesus did not rebuke them for this expectation, but He redirected them to the coming Holy Spirit (Acts 1:7-8).
They expected to rule with Christ. Jesus promised the twelve that they would sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28). This promise was clearly on their minds when they asked about the kingdom.
They were familiar with the glory of David's and Solomon's kingdoms, which were literal, political kingdoms on earth. They saw the coming kingdom as a similar restoration of Israel's glory.
Jesus did not upbraid them. He did not tell them they were wrong for expecting a kingdom. Instead, He told them it was not for them to know the times or seasons, and He directed them to receive the Holy Spirit's power for witnessing.
No Gentile Gospel Yet
Up to Acts 1, nothing had been said about going to the Gentiles. The disciples' expectation was rooted in the Abrahamic covenant with Israel first.
The Kingdom Was a Real Political Kingdom
Les explains that the disciples' question about restoring the kingdom was appropriate because the kingdom of David and Solomon was a literal, political kingdom on earth.
The Disciples' Question in Acts 1:6
Les highlights the disciples' question, 'Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?' and connects it to Matthew 19.
Kingdom Was Uppermost in Their Minds
The disciples were so focused on the kingdom that they thought of little else. They hoped for a kingdom like Solomon's glory.
Why the First Christians Were NOT in Jerusalem (Acts 11)
They were to stay and present this to the nation of Israel, in hopes that Israel would still accept their King, and Christ could have come and set up the Kingdom. And then they understood, yes, once they had the King and the Kingdom, they knew the Old Testament prophecies. I showed it to the class again last night, Zechariah chapter 8, "...
Twelve Thrones Promised
Jesus had promised the disciples they would sit on twelve thrones ruling the twelve tribes, and this promise was central to their expectation.
Solomon's Glory as the Model
The Jews viewed Solomon's kingdom as the high point of Israel's history, and the disciples expected something similar.
Israel's Role After Kingdom
The disciples expected that after the kingdom was set up, Israel would evangelize the Gentiles from Jerusalem.
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 verse directly shows the disciples' expectation of a restored kingdom for Israel.
Matthew 19:28: And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
This promise made by Christ is what the disciples remembered, fueling their expectation of ruling with Him.
Yes, the disciples expected a literal, political kingdom like that of David and Solomon, with Jesus as King and themselves ruling the twelve tribes of Israel.
No, Jesus did not correct them. He told them the timing was not for them to know and directed them to wait for the Holy Spirit.
They expected to sit on twelve thrones, judging and ruling the twelve tribes of Israel, as Jesus had promised in Matthew 19:28.
Watch the Teaching: Why Israel Failed to Evangelize the World — Isaiah to Acts