Acts 1:4

And, being assembled together with [them], commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, [saith he], ye have heard of me.

And {G2532}, being assembled together {G4871} with {G846} them, commanded {G3853} them {G846} that they should {G5563} not {G3361} depart {G5563} from {G575} Jerusalem {G2414}, but {G235} wait {G4037} for the promise {G1860} of the Father {G3962}, which {G3739}, saith he, ye have heard {G191} of me {G3450}.

At one of these gatherings, he instructed them not to leave Yerushalayim but to wait for “what the Father promised, which you heard about from me.

And while they were gathered together, He commanded them: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift the Father promised, which you have heard Me discuss.

and, being assembled together with them, he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, said he, ye heard from me:

Commentary

Acts 1:4 presents a pivotal moment in the early Christian narrative, capturing Jesus' final instructions to His apostles before His ascension. Having spent 40 days appearing to them after His resurrection, Jesus gathers His disciples and issues a crucial command: they are not to leave Jerusalem but are to await the fulfillment of a divine promise.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' post-resurrection appearances, a period of intense teaching and confirmation for His disciples (Acts 1:3). The setting is Jerusalem, a city central to Jewish history and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. Jesus' command to remain there emphasizes the strategic importance of this location as the starting point for the global spread of the Gospel, which would eventually extend to the "uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8). This instruction served as a vital preparation period, ensuring the disciples were equipped before embarking on their monumental mission.

Key Themes

  • Obedience and Waiting: Jesus' directive to "not depart from Jerusalem, but wait" underscores the importance of obedience to God's specific instructions. It highlights a period of patient expectation, emphasizing that divine power and timing are essential for effective ministry. The disciples had to learn to wait for God's enablement rather than rushing ahead in their own strength.
  • The Promise of the Holy Spirit: The core of the command is to "wait for the promise of the Father." This refers directly to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which Jesus had previously spoken of to His disciples. This divine enablement was promised to equip them for their witness, transforming them from a small, uncertain group into powerful evangelists. This promise is foundational to the Christian life and mission.
  • Divine Empowerment: The waiting was not passive idleness but active preparation for receiving supernatural power. This power was not for personal gain but for the collective mission of bearing witness to Christ, starting in Jerusalem and reaching the whole world.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "promise of the Father" translates the Greek epangelia tou Patros (ἐπαγγελία τοῦ Πατρός), clearly identifying the source of this profound gift. The verb "wait" (Greek: perimeno, περιμένω) conveys a sense of patient, expectant waiting, not merely passive delay. It implies an active anticipation of something certain to come, reinforcing the disciples' faith in Jesus' words.

Related Scriptures

Jesus' reference to "the promise of the Father, which...ye have heard of me" directly connects to His earlier teachings on the coming Helper or Comforter. For instance, in His farewell discourse, Jesus promised the disciples that the Holy Spirit, whom the Father would send in His name, would teach them all things. This promise is also echoed in John 15:26, where Jesus speaks of the "Spirit of truth" proceeding from the Father. The fulfillment of this command and promise is dramatically recorded just days later in Acts chapter 2, on the Day of Pentecost, when the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, receiving the power from on high that Jesus had promised.

Practical Application

Acts 1:4 teaches us the vital importance of waiting on God's timing and relying on His divine enablement rather than human effort. Just as the apostles needed the Holy Spirit to fulfill their mission, believers today need the Spirit's power for effective witness, spiritual growth, and navigating life's challenges. It reminds us that God often calls for a period of preparation and waiting before unleashing His full power for His purposes. This verse encourages us to seek the Holy Spirit's guidance and empowerment in our lives, trusting that God will fulfill His promises in His perfect time.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.
The Historical Reliability of the Book of Acts 3 Key Turning Points in the Book of Acts Peter's Sermon at Pentecost The Stoning of Stephen: The First Christian Martyr An Introduction to the Acts of the Apostles: The Birth of the Church

Cross-References

  • Luke 24:49

    And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

  • John 14:16

    And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

  • John 15:26

    But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

  • John 14:26

    But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

  • John 14:28

    Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come [again] unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

  • Acts 2:33

    Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

  • John 7:39

    (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet [given]; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
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