Acts 1:9

And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

And {G2532} when he had spoken {G2036} these things {G5023}, while they {G846} beheld {G991}, he was taken up {G1869}; and {G2532} a cloud {G3507} received {G5274} him {G846} out of {G575} their {G846} sight {G3788}.

After saying this, he was taken up before their eyes; and a cloud hid him from their sight.

After He had said this, they watched as He was taken up, and a cloud hid Him from their sight.

And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

Acts 1:9 describes the pivotal moment of Jesus Christ's physical ascension into heaven, marking the completion of His earthly ministry and the transition to His heavenly reign.

Context

This verse marks the climax of Jesus' post-resurrection appearances, occurring after He had spent forty days with His disciples, speaking of the kingdom of God. Just before His ascension, Jesus had given His disciples final instructions, including the promise of the Holy Spirit and their mission to be His witnesses "unto the uttermost part of the earth." The disciples were still pondering the restoration of the kingdom to Israel when this awe-inspiring event transpired.

Key Themes

  • The Ascension of Christ: The primary theme is the physical departure of Jesus from earth to heaven. This signifies the end of His earthly ministry, His enthronement at the right hand of God, and His role as our heavenly High Priest and advocate.
  • Eyewitness Testimony: The phrase "while they beheld" emphasizes the disciples' direct observation. This provides irrefutable eyewitness testimony to the reality of Jesus' resurrection and ascension, foundational to the apostolic preaching.
  • Divine Reception and Future Return: The "cloud" receiving Him is highly significant. In biblical contexts, clouds often symbolize God's presence, glory, and divine activity. This cloud not only obscured Jesus from their sight but also served as a vehicle of divine reception, foreshadowing His glorious return, as explicitly stated by the angels in Acts 1:11, where He will return "in like manner."

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "taken up" is epērtē (ἐπήρθη), a passive verb indicating that Jesus was not merely walking away, but was divinely elevated by God's power. The "cloud" (Greek: nephelē, νεφέλη) is a powerful biblical motif for God's glory and presence, reminiscent of the pillar of cloud guiding Israel in the wilderness, the cloud at the Transfiguration, or the clouds associated with the Son of Man in Daniel 7:13.

Practical Application

The Ascension provides believers with profound assurance:

  • It confirms that Jesus is now reigning as King and Lord, having completed His redemptive work on earth. He is seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us (Romans 8:34).
  • It paved the way for the sending of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2), empowering believers for witness and ministry.
  • It fuels the Christian hope of His promised return, giving believers a glorious future to anticipate and a clear mission to fulfill until that day.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, 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. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Daniel 7:13

    I saw in the night visions, and, behold, [one] like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.

  • Luke 24:50

    ¶ And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

  • Luke 24:51

    And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

  • Mark 16:19

    ¶ So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

  • Exodus 19:9

    ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD.

  • Acts 1:2

    Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

  • Ephesians 4:8

    Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
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