Will You Restore the Kingdom Now? An Exegetical Insight on Acts 1:6

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Longing for the Kingdom and Trusting the Divine Timing

“So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?'” — Acts 1:6

Acts 1:6 captures a pivotal moment in redemptive history. The Lord Jesus had risen from the dead, appearing to His disciples over the course of forty days (Acts 1:3), teaching them about “the kingdom of God.” Now, just before His ascension, the disciples ask Him a question that reflects their long-held hope and national expectation: “Will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”

Their question is neither foolish nor misinformed. It reveals a theologically grounded expectation rooted in Old Testament prophecy—the hope of national restoration, Messianic reign, and Israel’s central place in God’s redemptive plan. But the timing and manner of that fulfillment were still unknown to them, and the Lord’s response (Acts 1:7–8) redirects their focus from dates and political deliverance to gospel proclamation and global witness.

This verse serves as a powerful lens through which we view the tension between legitimate longing and divine timing. It also instructs us about the nature of the kingdom, the plan of God for Israel and the nations, and the purpose of the church in the present age.

Let us examine this verse phrase by phrase, uncovering its doctrinal significance and spiritual application. In a world filled with unrest, and in hearts that long for the final order of God’s justice, Acts 1:6 reminds us that the restoration is coming—but our task today is to bear witness faithfully until then.

“So when they had come together…”

This phrase sets the stage. The disciples had been with the risen Lord for forty days, receiving instruction from Him personally. The Greek text uses the word συνελθόντες (synelthontes), “when they had assembled,” or “when they had come together as one.” This was a gathering of unity and anticipation, not unlike the assembly of Israel awaiting instruction from Moses, or the gathering of the 120 believers soon to occur in the upper room (Acts 1:15).

The setting is significant. This is after the resurrection but before Pentecost. The risen Christ has already opened their minds to understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:45), and He has promised them the coming Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5). They are gathered in expectation, having seen the crucified Savior alive—their faith now unshakable, their hope rekindled.

This moment marks a spiritual threshold. The old era is closing. The new era—the age of the Spirit, the church, and the global mission—is about to begin. And before the Lord ascends, the disciples ask the question burning in their hearts.

“…they asked him, ‘Lord, will you at this time…’”

The disciples address Jesus with the title “Lord” (Greek: κύριε, kyrie)—a term of both reverence and recognition of divine authority. This is not casual curiosity; it is a question directed to the sovereign Risen One. They now fully acknowledge His lordship and seek understanding.

Their question centers on timing: “Will you at this time…?” The Greek ἐν τῷ χρόνῳ τούτῳ (en tō chronō toutō) literally means “in this time” or “in this season.” They are not asking if He will restore the kingdom someday—they are asking if it will happen now. Their timing is urgent, understandable, and sincere.

This reflects a common tension in the life of faith: longing for fulfillment and waiting for God’s appointed season. The disciples had endured the shock of the crucifixion, the wonder of the resurrection, and now they want to know if the Messianic kingdom—the prophesied restoration—is about to dawn in visible power.

But God’s purposes operate on divinely appointed schedules, not human calculations. Jesus will address this in the next verse, but for now, their question reveals an eagerness that, though premature in scope, is theologically valid in expectation.

“…restore the kingdom…”

This is the heart of their inquiry: the restoration of the kingdom. The Greek word for “restore” is ἀποκαθιστάνεις (apokathistaneis), meaning “to reestablish, to reinstate, to return to a former condition.” The disciples are asking whether the Davidic monarchy, the national identity, the political sovereignty, and the prophesied blessings of Israel will now be restored.

Their expectation is rooted in the prophets:

“In that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen” (Amos 9:11).
“He shall reign as king and deal wisely… Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely” (Jeremiah 23:5–6).
“Jehovah will again comfort Zion… He will make her wilderness like Eden” (Isaiah 51:3).

Their understanding is not in error. The prophets do foretell a future kingdom, a restored Israel, and a reign of Messiah on earth. Even Jesus, in Luke 22:29–30, said, “I assign to you a kingdom… that you may eat and drink at my table… and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

What they did not yet fully grasp was the intervening age—the time in which Messiah would be absent physically but present through the Spirit, gathering a people from all nations before returning to establish His kingdom.

Thus, their theology is not wrong—it is incomplete. The kingdom will be restored. But not yet.

“…to Israel?”

This final clause clarifies that the disciples were asking about national Israel. Their concern was not abstract or purely spiritual. They wanted to know if Jesus would now fulfill the hopes of the Jewish people—overthrow Roman rule, restore the throne of David, and reestablish the nation in glory.

This question affirms the disciples’ belief in God’s continuing purpose for Israel. They had not adopted replacement theology. They were not asking about a “spiritual kingdom” alone. They believed—as Scripture teaches—that God’s covenant with Abraham and David remains and that Israel will yet be the head of nations under Messiah’s rule (Deuteronomy 28:13; Isaiah 2:2–4; Zechariah 14:16–21).

Jesus does not rebuke them for this expectation. He does not say the kingdom will never be restored or that Israel has no future. He simply redirects their focus to the Father’s timing and their present mission.

Romans 11 later affirms that God’s gifts and calling to Israel are irrevocable (Romans 11:29), and that a time is coming when “all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26). The kingdom will be restored to Israel—in the fullness of God’s time.

Application: What Are We Waiting For?

Acts 1:6 reminds believers that while our hearts long for the visible reign of Christ, our calling in this age is not to speculate about the time, but to remain faithful in the mission.

Long for the Kingdom—but trust God’s timing.
It is not wrong to desire Christ’s return or Israel’s restoration. But we must be content to leave the “when” in the Father’s hands (Acts 1:7). Until then, we are to occupy, serve, and endure faithfully.
Understand God’s faithfulness to Israel.
God has not forgotten His people. The promises made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David still stand. The restoration is future, not past, and it will come in full at Christ’s return (Matthew 19:28).
Beware of misplaced focus.
Like the disciples, we may be tempted to focus on political power or national revival. But Jesus directs us to the mission of making disciples of all nations (Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19–20).
Live with expectancy, not anxiety.
The restoration will come. The King will return. Until then, we live with joyful hope, confident that God’s plan is unfolding according to His perfect design.

Conclusion: The Question That Still Echoes

“Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” It was a sincere question, rooted in biblical hope and national longing. Though Jesus would not grant them a date or a schedule, He would affirm that their desire would not go unfulfilled. The kingdom will come. The throne of David will be restored. Christ will reign in Jerusalem. But first—the gospel must go forth.

Today, the question still echoes. Believers yearn for justice, righteousness, and the fullness of God’s kingdom. But we, like the disciples, must live in the now and the not yet—sent into the world with a mission, standing on the promises, waiting for the King.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).