WHERE DID MATTHIAS GO AFTER REPLACING JUDAS?
by Shawn Brasseaux
That is a fascinating question, and thank you for submitting it. Let us see what the Scriptures say about Matthias.
The name “Matthias” makes its only two appearances in the Bible in Acts chapter 1. Matthias never again appears in Scripture by name. The same could be said of Andrew, Thomas, Bartholomew/Nathanael, Simon Zelotes, and Mary the mother of Jesus (Acts 1:13-14). We never again hear of Joseph Barsabas Justus either (Acts 1:23).
What we know is that Matthias functioned in the same capacity as Judas would have had Judas not lost that apostleship to unbelief. The Apostle Peter commented in Acts chapter 1: “[21] Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, [22] Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.” We continue reading, “[23] And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. [24] And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, [25] That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. [26] And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.”
Scripture is very clear that the Lord, not Peter (as commonly assumed), chose Matthias. Matthias later worked with the other 11 apostles of Israel throughout the book of Acts as a firsthand witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Matthias witnessed John the Baptist’s ministry and all of Christ’s earthly ministry). He was with them on the day of Pentecost when they received the Holy Ghost (Acts chapter 2). Matthias would have remained with them in the Temple. Like Peter, James, and John, Matthias diligently preached to Israel in hopes of turning her around and bringing her back to JEHOVAH God and getting her to recognize Jesus as her Messiah/Christ.
While we cannot be absolutely sure, Matthias was probably present in Acts chapter 15 with James, Peter, and John when Paul and Barnabas went to the Jerusalem Council (also recorded in Galatians chapter 2). What happened to Matthias toward the end of his life, we do not know. The book of Acts never explicitly mentions him after chapter 1. None of Paul’s epistles ever reference him. The Hebrew epistles—Hebrews through Revelation—make no mention of Matthias by name. For some unknown reason, God the Holy Ghost thought it best not to focus on Matthias’ apostolic activities.
Still, Matthias, like all the apostles of Israel, will have a role in prophecy. According to Acts chapter 1, his name (in the place of Judas) is in the foundations of the holy Jerusalem, the New Jerusalem, which come down to Earth from Heaven one day (Revelation 21:14). In keeping with the Old Testament bodily resurrection promises and Jesus’ words regarding the subject, at His Second Coming, and just before the earthly 1000-year kingdom begins, Matthias will be bodily resurrected, along with all the other saints of Israel’s program (going all the way back to Adam). Matthias, and the other 11 apostles of Israel will sit on 12 thrones, ruling the 12 tribes of Israel throughout that kingdom-millennium and eternity future (Matthew 19:27-28; Luke 22:30).
Also see:
» Who was Judas’ replacement—Matthias or Paul?
» Did Judas die a forgiven man?
» Does Matthew 19:27-28 prove Judas is in heaven?