Acts 1:4

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Acts 1:4 captures a pivotal moment in the post-resurrection ministry of Jesus, where He issues a definitive command to His assembled apostles. After forty days of proving His resurrection and speaking about the kingdom of God, Jesus instructs them not to depart from Jerusalem. Instead, they are to patiently and expectantly await the fulfillment of a divine promise from the Father, a promise concerning a profound spiritual endowment that Jesus had previously revealed to them. This directive underscored the strategic importance of Jerusalem as the birthplace of the Church and the necessity of divine empowerment for their impending global mission.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' extensive post-resurrection appearances and teachings, a period described in [Acts 1:3](/acts/1-3 "Acts 1:3 - Jesus' Post-Resurrection Appearances") as forty days during which He presented Himself alive with many infallible proofs and spoke of the kingdom of God. Acts 1:4 thus serves as the culminating instruction before His ascension, setting the stage for the dramatic events of Pentecost. It connects directly to the Great Commission outlined in [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission"), where the disciples are promised power to be His witnesses, linking the command to wait with the subsequent empowerment for mission. The narrative flow emphasizes a divine sequence: resurrection appearances, final instructions, waiting, empowerment, and then global witness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jerusalem was not merely a geographical location but the spiritual and political heartland of Judaism, the place where Jesus was crucified, resurrected, and where the temple stood as the center of Jewish worship. For the Jewish disciples, Jerusalem held immense significance, representing their heritage and the prophetic promises of God. The command to remain there would have resonated deeply, perhaps evoking Old Testament prophecies about God's Spirit being poured out from Zion. Culturally, the concept of waiting on God was familiar from the prophets, emphasizing dependence on divine timing and provision rather than human initiative. This setting ensured that the initial outpouring of the Spirit would be witnessed by a diverse Jewish population gathered for Pentecost, facilitating the rapid spread of the Gospel message.
* **Key Themes:** The primary themes embedded in [Acts 1:4](/acts/1-4 "Acts 1:4 - Jesus' Command to Wait") are **Obedience and Patient Expectation**. Jesus' explicit command to "not depart from Jerusalem, but wait" highlights the necessity of absolute obedience to divine instruction, even when the purpose is not immediately clear. This waiting was not passive idleness but an active, expectant posture, demonstrating faith in God's faithfulness to His promises. This leads directly to the theme of **Divine Empowerment and the Promise of the Holy Spirit**. The "promise of the Father" unequivocally refers to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which Jesus had previously taught His disciples about (e.g., [John 14:16-17](/john/14-16-17 "John 14:16-17 - The Promise of the Helper") and [Luke 24:49](/luke/24-49 "Luke 24:49 - Power from on High")). This Spirit was essential for the disciples to fulfill their mission, transforming them from a fearful group into bold witnesses, underscoring that effective ministry is not achieved by human strength but by supernatural enablement.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **wait (Greek, _periménō'_):** From G4037, meaning "to stay around, i.e., await." This word conveys more than passive delay; it suggests an active, expectant waiting, a patient endurance with the certainty that something is coming. It implies a readiness to receive and respond when the promised event occurs, rather than merely passing time.
* **promise (Greek, _epangelía'_):** From G1860, meaning "an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good)." This term emphasizes the divine origin and reliability of what is to come. It is not merely a human pledge but a guaranteed, divinely-initiated assurance, highlighting God's faithfulness to His word.
* **heard (Greek, _akoúō'_):** From G191, a primary verb meaning "to hear (in various senses)." In this context, it implies not just auditory perception but comprehension and reception of the message. The disciples had not merely heard the words; they had understood and received the truth of Jesus' prior teaching concerning this promise.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And, being assembled together with [them], commanded them":** This phrase establishes the setting as a specific gathering of Jesus with His disciples. The word "commanded" (G3853, _parangéllō_) indicates a direct, authoritative instruction, not a suggestion. Jesus, as the resurrected Lord, issues a non-negotiable directive to His chosen apostles.
* **"that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but":** This is a clear negative command followed by a strong conjunction (G235, _allá_, "but"), introducing a contrasting positive injunction. The prohibition against leaving Jerusalem emphasizes the strategic importance of this city as the starting point for the Gospel's spread, a divine hub for the outpouring of the Spirit.
* **"wait for the promise of the Father, which, [saith he], ye have heard of me.":** This is the core positive command. The disciples are to "wait" (G4037, _periménō_) with expectant anticipation for "the promise of the Father" (G1860, _epangelía_ G3962, _patḗr_). The parenthetical "saith he" clarifies that Jesus is reiterating a promise He had already made to them, reinforcing its certainty and their prior knowledge of it (G191, _akoúō_). This promise is definitively identified as originating from God the Father and previously communicated by Jesus Himself, underscoring its divine authority and Christ's role as the revealer of the Father's will.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 1:4 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Command**, as Jesus issues a direct and authoritative instruction to His disciples, emphasizing His post-resurrection authority and their immediate obedience. This command is structured as an **Antithesis**, contrasting what they *should not* do ("not depart from Jerusalem") with what they *should* do ("but wait for the promise of the Father"). This juxtaposition highlights the specific, divinely ordained path for them. The verse also utilizes **Foreshadowing**, as the "promise of the Father" points directly to the future outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, which is the central event of [Acts chapter 2](/acts/2 "Acts 2 - The Day of Pentecost"). Finally, there is an element of **Repetition/Reinforcement**, as Jesus reminds them that this promise is something they "have heard of me," connecting His current instruction to His previous teachings and solidifying the divine origin and consistency of the message.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 1:4 powerfully underscores the theological truth that God's redemptive plan unfolds according to His perfect timing and through His divine enablement, not human effort or initiative. The command to wait for the "promise of the Father" reveals the triune God's active involvement in the establishment and empowerment of the Church. The Father promises, the Son reiterates and commands the waiting, and the Spirit is the promised gift. This waiting period was crucial for the disciples to understand their utter dependence on God's power, preventing them from rushing into ministry in their own strength and ensuring that the global mission would be Spirit-driven from its inception. It teaches us that true spiritual power for witness and service originates from God alone.

* [John 14:26](/john/14-26 "The Holy Spirit, the Helper")
* [Luke 24:49](/luke/24-49 "The Promise of Power from on High")
* [Acts 2:1-4](/acts/2-1-4 "The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 1:4 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, emphasizing the enduring necessity of divine empowerment for effective Christian living and ministry. In a world that often prizes immediate action and self-reliance, Jesus' command to "wait" serves as a counter-cultural call to patient dependence on God. Just as the apostles needed the Holy Spirit to transform them into world-changing witnesses, we too require the Spirit's power for spiritual growth, discerning God's will, overcoming sin, and sharing the Gospel with conviction. This verse encourages us to cultivate a posture of expectant waiting on God, not as a passive delay, but as an active seeking of His presence and power through prayer, study of His Word, and fellowship. It reminds us that God's timing is perfect, and His promises are sure, empowering us to trust Him fully even when the path ahead is unclear.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or ministry are you tempted to rush ahead in your own strength, rather than patiently waiting for God's divine enablement?**
* **How does understanding the "promise of the Father" as the Holy Spirit deepen your appreciation for God's provision for believers today?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a more expectant and dependent posture of "waiting" on the Holy Spirit's guidance and power in your daily life?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus command the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the promise?**

Answer: Jesus commanded them to wait in Jerusalem for several crucial reasons. Firstly, Jerusalem was the strategic and symbolic center where the most significant events of salvation history had just unfolded: Jesus' crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. It was the prophetic starting point for the new covenant community, fulfilling prophecies that the Law and the word of the Lord would go out from Zion (e.g., [Isaiah 2:3](/isaiah/2-3 "Isaiah 2:3 - The Lord's Word from Jerusalem")). Secondly, the waiting period was essential for the disciples' spiritual preparation. They needed to fully grasp the implications of Jesus' resurrection and ascension and to understand their utter dependence on divine power. Thirdly, the timing coincided with the Jewish Feast of Pentecost, when devout Jews from every nation under heaven would be gathered in Jerusalem ([Acts 2:5](/acts/2-5 "Acts 2:5 - Devout Jews from Every Nation")). This provided a divinely orchestrated global audience for the initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the proclamation of the Gospel, ensuring its rapid spread. Finally, the command underscored that the mission of the Church would be Spirit-driven, not human-initiated, emphasizing that the power to be His witnesses would come from "on high" ([Luke 24:49](/luke/24-49 "Luke 24:49 - Power from on High")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 1:4 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus' role as the one who not only promised the Holy Spirit but also, through His atoning work and ascension, became the conduit for the Spirit's outpouring. The "promise of the Father" is intrinsically linked to Christ's finished work on the cross and His exaltation to the Father's right hand. As the resurrected and ascended Lord, Jesus is the one who "received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit and has poured out this which you yourselves are seeing and hearing" ([Acts 2:33](/acts/2-33 "Acts 2:33 - Peter's Sermon on Pentecost")). His command to wait in Jerusalem was a direct consequence of His redemptive mission, ensuring that His disciples would be empowered by His Spirit to continue His work on earth. The Holy Spirit, whom Jesus calls the "Helper" or "Advocate" ([John 14:16](/john/14-16 "John 14:16 - The Promise of the Helper")), is sent by the Father *in Jesus' name* and *from Jesus* ([John 15:26](/john/15-26 "John 15:26 - The Spirit of Truth")). Thus, the waiting in Acts 1:4 was not for an abstract promise, but for the very presence and power of Christ Himself, manifested through His Spirit, enabling His followers to bear witness to His saving grace to the ends of the earth ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

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.)