What does “restore the kingdom to Israel” mean (Acts 1:6)?

After Jesus’ resurrection, He spent forty days with His disciples “and spoke about the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3). One day, Jesus told them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait there for the baptism of the Holy Spirit “in a few days” (Acts 1:5). The whole group took this opportunity to ask Jesus a question: “Then they gathered around him and asked him, ‘Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?’” (Acts 1:6).

Most basically, the disciples’ query, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” concerns chronology: this is a “when” question. We know a restoration is coming, they say; is it time yet?

Parsing their question, we discover much about the disciples’ faith and their understanding of God’s eschatological plan:

“Lord . . .” — The disciples’ manner of addressing Jesus is significant. They see Him as more than a teacher; they know that Jesus, as the risen Savior, possesses “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18). They ask Jesus this question concerning the future because Jesus is the only one who knows the future. Their confidence is in the Lord, the one in control.

“. . . are you going to . . .” — The disciples anticipate an action that Jesus will perform. During His time with the disciples, Jesus was always a man of action who “went around doing good” (Acts 10:38). He led the charge, and they followed: “Jesus went to all the towns and villages, teaching, . . . preaching, . . . and healing” (Matthew 9:35, HCSB). After the resurrection, the disciples expect the same from the Lord. He is still a man of action who will perform God’s will.

“. . . restore the kingdom to Israel” — God has special promises for Israel involving a land and a righteous King who will rule over a kingdom of peace. This King will “sit on David’s throne” (Isaiah 9:7; cf. 1 Samuel 7:12–13), and He will rule in righteousness (Jeremiah 23:5–6). His reign will last forever (Psalm 145:13; Daniel 2:44). In Jesus’ day, the Jews lived in subjugation to Rome; they had not had their own kingdom for about 600 years. Jesus’ disciples trusted God’s promises and were convinced that Jesus was the Messiah and King who would fulfill the prophecies and usher in God’s kingdom.

“. . . at this time . . .” — The disciples knew the kingdom would be restored and that its restored condition would be better than ever. They figured, now that Jesus was risen from the dead, now would be a good time to set up His kingdom. Never a better time, in their minds. So, they ask Jesus, “Is now the time? Is the waiting finally over? The kingdom is next on the agenda, right?”

Jesus’ response to the disciples’ question does not satisfy their curiosity: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority” (Acts 1:7). It’s enough to know God’s promises and trust in God’s wisdom and goodness. Until the time comes for the kingdom to be established, Jesus’ disciples have work to do, and God will empower them to do it: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

“After [Jesus] said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight” (Acts 1:9). The disciples gaze after Him for a while, until some angels appear to assure them that Jesus will come again (verses 10–11).

Like the disciples, we may be curious about the timing of God’s plan for the future. We read the promises, and we, too, have “when” questions. God has kept the timing under wraps; it is God’s privileged information, and He has not shared it with anyone (Matthew 24:36).

Like the disciples, we have work to do as we wait for Jesus the King to return. Our Lord told a parable on His way to Jerusalem for the last time to illustrate the wait: “He went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. He said: ‘A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. “Put this money to work,” he said, “until I come back”’” (Luke 19:11–13). That’s our task, to take what Jesus has given us and put it to work as we anticipate His return.