This became known to all who lived in Jerusalem, so they called that field in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
The sin of Judas was not only his shame and ruin, but it made a vacancy in the college of the apostles. They were ordained twelve, with an eye to the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from the twelve patriarchs; they were the twelve stars that make up the church's crown (Rev 12:1), and for them twelve thrones were designated, Mat 19:28.
Commenting on Acts 1:15-26
And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem,.... As that he betrayed Jesus of Nazareth into the hands of the chief priests, for thirty pieces of silver; that this was the reward of his iniquity; and that with this a field was purchased for the burying of strangers in; and that he died in such a miserable way: there was scarce an inhabitant...
Verse 19. It was known, etc. . The scene in the temple, the acts of the priests in purchasing the field, etc., would make it known; and the name of the field would preserve the memory of the guilt of Judas. Their proper tongue. The language spoken by the Jews--the Syro-Chaldaic. Aceldama. This is composed of two Syro-Chaldaic words, and means, literally, "the field of blood."