Verse 23 And they appointed; that is, the assembly of one hundred and twenty disciples appointed them. It does not appear that the apostles acted as such at all in this case; the election seems to have been made by the disciples generally. And yet, on some subsequent occasions, the apostles appear to exercise a certain official power. (Acts 6:2,3.)--Appointed two; that is, they agreed upon two prominent candidates, but, for some reason or other, it was not clear to the assembly which should be selected; and they agreed, accordingly, to appeal solemnly to the decision of the lot. Had it been their design really to refer the subject of filling the vacant office to the Lord, the lot should obviously have been unrestricted,--as in the cases of Achan, (Joshua 7:14-18,) Saul, (1 Samuel 10:19-21,) and Jonathan, (1 Samuel 14:40-42.)