Who was chosen by lot to replace Judas as the 12th Disciple?

Matthias was chosen by lot to replace Judas as the 12th disciple, according to Acts 1:15–26 in the New Testament.

After Judas Iscariot’s death, Peter said the replacement should be someone who had followed Jesus from his baptism through the Ascension. Two candidates were proposed: Joseph Barsabbas, also called Justus, and Matthias. The gathered believers prayed for God’s guidance and then cast lots; the lot fell to Matthias, who was added to the eleven remaining apostles.

The phrase “chosen by lot” refers to an ancient method of seeking a decision believed to reflect divine guidance. Acts does not provide much biographical information about Matthias, and he is mentioned by name only in this passage. Later Christian traditions give him various missionary roles, but these accounts are not as firmly documented as the Acts narrative.

A common mix-up is Paul, who became one of Christianity’s most influential apostles after his conversion. Paul was not the person selected in Acts 1 to restore the original number of twelve. Matthias was the specific replacement for Judas in that episode.