“They cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias”
Acts 1:26
Cultural referenceSettledNarrator
Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:26 BSB)
What it sounds like today
Choosing an apostle by dice roll.
The cultural key
Casting lots was an honored biblical instrument for decisions belonging to God: 'the lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD' (Proverbs 16:33). The land was allotted by lot, temple duties were assigned by lot (Zechariah's incense turn, Luke 1:9), and the Day of Atonement goats were chosen by lot. The apostles pray first, then cast: the lot is the seal on prayer, not a substitute for it.
Recovered meaning
A thoroughly biblical procedure for a decision they insisted was God's to make. Readers have long noticed it is also the last lot in the New Testament: ten days later the Spirit comes, and the church never casts one again.
Parallels: Proverbs 16:33; Luke 1:9; Leviticus 16:8