The disciples asked because Jesus had promised them thrones over Israel's twelve tribes and they expected a real earthly kingdom to be restored.
Jesus had told them in Matthew 19:28 that they would sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Les Feldick stresses that they never forgot that promise, and it was uppermost in their thinking. They also remembered the glory of David and Solomon's kingdom, so their question was appropriate and Jesus did not rebuke them.
Acts 1:6 — This is the exact question the disciples asked Jesus about restoring the kingdom to Israel.
Matthew 19:28 — This records Jesus' promise that the disciples would sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel, which explains why they asked the question.
In Acts 1:6, the disciples came together and asked Jesus, "Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" Earlier, in Matthew 19:27, Peter had asked Jesus, "Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?" Jesus answered in 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." Scripture also records Old Testament prophecies about Israel's place among the nations, such as Zechariah 8:23, where ten men from all nations take hold of the skirt of a Jew, saying, "We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you." These passages show that the disciples' question was rooted in explicit biblical promises about a literal kingdom for Israel.
Les Feldick teaches that the disciples' question in Acts 1:6 was not misplaced or confused. He points to Matthew 19:27–28, where Peter asks what the disciples will receive for following Christ, and Jesus promises them twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Les says these eleven men never forgot that promise; it was uppermost in their thinking when they asked the question. Les also explains that the disciples remembered the glory of David and Solomon's kingdom and wondered if Israel would again have a kingdom like that, only with the Messiah as King, greater than Solomon. He emphasizes that the kingdom of David and Solomon was a real, earthly, political kingdom, so the disciples' use of the words "restore again" was appropriate. Jesus did not rebuke them for asking; their question showed they understood the promises.
No. Les Feldick points out that Jesus did not say, "Peter, you should know better," and He did not upbraid them for not realizing the kingdom was something other than what they expected. Jesus simply answered their question without rebuking them, showing that their question was appropriate.
The disciples expected a real, earthly kingdom like that of David and Solomon, but with the Messiah as King. Les teaches that the kingdom of David and Solomon was a political kingdom on earth under the authority of a king, not some ethereal, spiritualized concept. The twelve understood that kind of kingdom would be brought back to Israel, only this time the King would be the Messiah.
Les explains that the disciples had not forgotten Jesus' promise that they would sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. That promise was uppermost in their thinking. They also remembered the glory of David and Solomon and were wondering whether Israel would now have a kingdom like that again, making their question natural and appropriate.
Les Feldick says the disciples understood, once the King and the Kingdom were present, the Old Testament prophecies about Israel's place in the world. He refers to Zechariah 8, where ten men from all nations take hold of the skirt of a Jew and say, "We'll go with you," because they know God is with him. The disciples knew those prophecies pointed to a restored kingdom centered on Israel.
Why the Church Age Is Hidden in the Old Testament
Okay, and again, we're just going to come right back to where we left off, and that's Acts 1. We'll look briefly at verse 6, and then we're going to move on into verse 7. And again we like to welcome our television audience, and again remind you that all the programs are available on videotape, as well as a lot of them now in book form. You just write to us or call our 800 number.
Following the Trail to Matthew 19
Les shows that the reason for the Acts 1:6 question is found in Peter's earlier question in Matthew 19:27 about what the disciples would receive for following Christ.
The Twelve Thrones Promise
Les says the eleven never forgot Jesus' promise that they would sit on twelve thrones ruling Israel's twelve tribes, and that promise was uppermost in their minds when they asked about the kingdom.
The Setting on the Mount of Olives
Les sets the scene for Acts 1:6 with Jesus and the Eleven, and stresses the importance of reading the words exactly as written.
Kingdom Prophecies and Israel's Hope
Les connects the disciples' expectation to Old Testament prophecies that the nations would one day take hold of a Jew because God is with him, showing they knew the Kingdom was for Israel.
Remembering David and Solomon
Les says the Eleven remembered David's and Solomon's glory and wondered if Israel would again have a kingdom like that, making the question appropriate.
A Real Earthly Kingdom
Les teaches that the kingdom of David and Solomon was a real earthly, political kingdom, so the disciples' words "restore again" were exactly right.
Messiah Greater Than Solomon
Les says the twelve understood the coming kingdom would be restored to Israel with the Messiah as King, greater than Solomon, and they asked if it would happen at that time.
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 exact question the disciples asked Jesus, revealing their expectation that the kingdom would be restored to Israel.
Matthew 19:27: Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
Peter's question shows that the disciples were concerned about their reward for following Jesus, which leads directly to Jesus' promise of thrones.
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.
Jesus' promise of twelve thrones explains why the disciples had the kingdom so firmly in mind when they asked about restoring it to Israel.
Zechariah 8:23: Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.
This Old Testament prophecy shows the nations coming to Israel, which the disciples understood as part of the coming kingdom.
No. Les Feldick teaches that the question was appropriate. Jesus did not rebuke the disciples for asking, because they had heard His teaching and had been promised thrones over Israel's twelve tribes.
No. Les says they remembered David and Solomon's glory and expected a real, earthly, political kingdom, with the Messiah as King, greater than Solomon.
They meant that Israel's kingdom, which had faded from the scene after David and Solomon, would be brought back. Les explains that the kingdom had been a real earthly kingdom, so "restore again" was exactly the right way to ask.
Peter asked what the disciples would receive for following Christ, and Jesus answered that they would sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. That promise stayed with them and motivated their question in Acts 1:6.
Watch the Teaching: Why the Church Age Is Hidden in the Old Testament