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Acts 1:25
ESV to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”
NIV to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.'
NASB to occupy this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.'
CSB to take the place in this apostolic ministry that Judas left to go where he belongs."
NLT as an apostle to replace Judas in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs.'
KJV That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

What does Acts 1:25 mean?

The spiritual explanation for Judas is complicated. Jesus knew from the beginning Judas would betray Him (John 6:70). Judas did not commit the act of betrayal until he was possessed by Satan (John 13:27). But Judas had already demonstrated his greed (John 12:1–6). And he coordinated to betray Jesus a week before Satan pushed him to complete the act (Matthew 26:14–16). So, while Judas was always destined to be the "son of destruction" (John 17:12), it was always Judas' choice to turn aside and betray Jesus.

Judas was a part of Jesus' ministry on earth. He did follow Jesus with the other eleven for about three years, and he went off with them to heal, cast out demons, and preach Jesus' message (Mark 6:7–13). Jesus had bigger plans for the apostles, however. He promised that the Twelve will "sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel" (Matthew 19:28) and that their names will be on the twelve foundations of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:14).

The ministry Peter is talking about, however, is to be Jesus' witness to Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). "Witness" is from the Greek root word martys. It refers to someone who will vow to what he has seen. Martys is also the origin of our word "martyr." A witness is someone who is willing to die in the mission of telling what they know about Jesus. According to church tradition, all the apostles except John will be martyred for their faith, including Judas' replacement.

"Take the place" is from the Greek root word lambanō. It doesn't mean just to fill an empty position but to take hold of something and be identified with it. Judas was unable to fully take hold of Jesus and be identified as his faithful disciple. "Turned aside" is from the Greek root word parabainō which in other passages is translated "transgress." It means to pass by, neglect, or abandon. Judas abandoned the place he was to have by Jesus' side. Instead, his "place" became the cemetery the chief priests purchased with his thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 27:3–10).
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