Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Acts 1:23

"And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias." — Acts 1:23 (ASV)

The eleven apostles together “proposed” two men: Joseph, who was called by Aramaic-speaking Jews “Barsabbas” and was also known by his Roman cognomen Justus, and Matthias. While more were perhaps considered (cf. v.21), only two had the necessary qualifications.