Charles Ellicott Commentary Acts 1:17

"For he was numbered among us, and received his portion in this ministry." — Acts 1:17 (ASV)

For he was numbered with us.—Literally, he had been numbered.

Had obtained part of this ministry.—Better, the portion, or inheritance. The Greek has the article, and the noun (cleros) is one which afterwards acquired a special half-technical sense in the words, clerus, clericus, “clerk,” “clergy.” In 1 Peter 5:3, as being lords over the heritage, we find it in a transition sense. (See Note on Acts 1:25.)