Acts 1:18 (KJV)

Passage

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.

Nearby Context

Acts 1:16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.

Acts 1:17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.

Acts 1:18 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.

Acts 1:19 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.

Acts 1:20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "purchased", "field", "reward", "iniquity", "falling", "headlong", "burst", and "asunder". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "purchased" and "field", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 17's "For he was numbered with us and..." into verse 19's "And it was known unto all the...", so "purchased" and "field" belong inside that flow. In Acts context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "purchased" and "field" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.