Acts 1:18 (ASV)

Passage

(Now this man obtained a field with the reward of his iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

Nearby Context

Acts 1:16 Brethren, it was needful that the Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spake before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to them that took Jesus.

Acts 1:17 For he was numbered among us, and received his portion in this ministry.

Acts 1:18 (Now this man obtained a field with the reward of his iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

Acts 1:19 And it became known to all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch that in their language that field was called Akeldama, that is, The field of blood.)

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

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "obtained", "field", "reward", "iniquity", "falling", "headlong", "burst", and "asunder". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "obtained" 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 among us and..." into verse 19's "And it became known to all the...", so "obtained" 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 "obtained" and "field" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.