Luke 24:49

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532}, behold {G2400}, I {G1473} send {G649} the promise {G1860} of my {G3450} Father {G3962} upon {G1909} you {G5209}: but {G1161} tarry {G2523} ye {G5210} in {G1722} the city {G4172} of Jerusalem {G2419}, until {G2193} ye {G3739} be endued {G1746} with power {G1411} from {G1537} on high {G5311}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now I am sending forth upon you what my Father promised, so stay here in the city until you have been equipped with power from above.”

Berean Standard Bible

And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. But remain in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 24:49 captures Jesus' final, pivotal instruction to His disciples before His ascension: to remain in Jerusalem and await the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This verse serves as a critical bridge between Jesus' earthly ministry and the birth of the Church, emphasizing that the disciples' future mission to proclaim the gospel to all nations was utterly dependent upon receiving divine empowerment—the "promise of the Father"—from heaven itself. It underscores the necessity of God's supernatural enablement for effective Christian witness and service.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climactic point of Luke's Gospel, providing Jesus' ultimate post-resurrection command to His disciples. Following His miraculous resurrection, Jesus had spent forty days appearing to His followers, opening their understanding of the Scriptures concerning Himself (Luke 24:44-45) and commissioning them to preach repentance and forgiveness of sins to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem (Luke 24:46-48). Luke 24:49, therefore, is not merely an instruction but a prerequisite for the fulfillment of the Great Commission. It directly precedes Jesus' ascension into heaven (Luke 24:50-53) and sets the stage for the narrative in the Book of Acts, which immediately details the disciples' obedience to this command and the subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. Thus, it functions as a theological and narrative hinge, connecting the Person and work of Christ to the mission and empowerment of His Church.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jerusalem, the specified location for the disciples' waiting, was not just a city but the spiritual, political, and cultural heart of Judaism. It was the place of the Temple, the center of Jewish worship, and the site of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. For the Jewish disciples, Jerusalem held immense religious significance. The command to "tarry" there was a directive to remain within a familiar, albeit recently hostile, environment, reinforcing the idea that the new covenant's spiritual power would emerge from the very place where the old covenant's rituals were centered and where the Messiah had been rejected. Furthermore, the concept of divine empowerment was not alien to Jewish thought; prophets and kings in the Old Testament were often "anointed" or "filled with the Spirit" for specific tasks. However, the promise of the Spirit in this context was for an unprecedented, widespread indwelling and empowering of all believers, marking a new era in God's redemptive plan, moving from a localized, ethnic focus to a global, inclusive mission.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 24:49 is rich with significant theological themes. First, it highlights **The Divine Promise**, unequivocally referring to the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus had previously promised as the [Helper or Advocate](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit"). This promise underscores God's faithfulness and His intention to dwell with and empower His people in a new way under the New Covenant. Second, the verse emphasizes **Empowerment for Mission**. The phrase "endued with power from on high" signifies that the disciples' ability to effectively carry out the [Great Commission](/luke/24-47 "Luke 24:47 - The Commission to Preach Repentance") would not stem from their own human strength or wisdom but from a supernatural, divine equipping. This power was essential for their witness to be effective in a hostile world (Acts 1:8). Finally, the command to "tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem" introduces the theme of **Patient Obedience and Divine Timing**. It teaches that spiritual readiness often involves a period of waiting, dependence, and prayer, rather than immediate action based on human initiative. The disciples needed to be in the right place, at the right time, with the right spiritual posture, to receive what God had promised for their global task.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Promise (Greek, _epangelía'_):** From G1860, this term signifies an "announcement" or "divine assurance of good," specifically a "pledge." In this context, it refers to the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus had previously promised as the Helper or Advocate (John 14:26, 15:26, 16:7). The use of "promise" emphasizes the Spirit's arrival not as an arbitrary event but as the fulfillment of God's long-anticipated covenantal pledge, rooted in His faithfulness and foretold by the prophets (e.g., Joel 2:28-29).
* **Tarry (Greek, _kathízō'_):** From G2523, meaning "to seat down," "to sit," or "to settle," and by extension, "to continue" or "to tarry." This imperative command for the disciples to "tarry" in Jerusalem was not a passive waiting but an active, expectant posture of obedience. It underscored the necessity of a specific geographical location and a divinely appointed timing for the Spirit's outpouring, highlighting that true spiritual power is received through dependence on God, not generated by human effort or haste.
* **Power (Greek, _dýnamis'_):** From G1411, denoting "force," "ability," "strength," and specifically "miraculous power." This is the inherent, dynamic energy of God Himself, enabling supernatural feats and effective witness. It implies more than mere human capability; it is a divine equipping that transforms the disciples into potent agents of God's kingdom, empowering them to perform the "mighty works" that accompany the gospel and bear witness to Christ with boldness and authority.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you:"** Jesus, as the resurrected Lord and the one invested with all authority in heaven and on earth, asserts His sovereign prerogative to dispatch the divine promise—the Holy Spirit—upon His disciples. The interjection "behold" (G2400 _idoú_) draws immediate attention to the profound and certain significance of this impending event. This "sending" is not merely a future possibility but a definite, authoritative act initiated by Christ, fulfilling the Father's long-standing covenantal pledge to His people.
* **"but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem,"** This clause introduces a crucial, direct, and imperative command for the disciples to remain in Jerusalem, the very city where Jesus was crucified, resurrected, and where the gospel was first proclaimed. The conjunction "but" (G1161 _dé_) introduces a necessary condition or instruction following the promise. This period of waiting was essential for their preparation, fostering unity, prayer, and a posture of dependence before the Spirit's arrival, underscoring that spiritual power is received through obedience and patience, rather than through immediate action based on human strength.
* **"until ye be endued with power from on high."** This final clause explicitly states the purpose and duration of their waiting: to be "endued" (G1746 _endýō_), which literally means "clothed" or "invested with." This is a profound **metaphor**, suggesting that the power would envelop them, becoming an integral part of their being, much like putting on a garment. This "power" (G1411 _dýnamis_) originates "from on high" (G1537 _ek_ G5311 _hýpsos_), signifying its divine, heavenly source. It underscores that the spiritual authority and ability for their global mission would not be self-generated but divinely bestowed, transforming them into effective witnesses for Christ.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 24:49 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, specifically in the phrase "endued with power from on high." The Greek word _endýō_ literally means "to put on" or "to clothe," creating a vivid image of the Holy Spirit's power enveloping the disciples like a garment. This suggests that the power would not be an external accessory but an intrinsic, empowering presence that would fully equip them for their mission, transforming their very identity and capacity for service. The verse also utilizes **Imperative** commands ("tarry"), which underscore the non-negotiable nature of Jesus' instructions and the necessity of obedience. Furthermore, the entire verse functions as **Foreshadowing**, directly pointing to the dramatic events of Pentecost in Acts 2, where the promise of the Spirit is fulfilled, and the disciples are indeed "clothed" with divine power, enabling them to boldly proclaim the gospel and perform miraculous signs.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 24:49 stands as a foundational text for understanding the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer and the mission of the Church. It reveals that the Great Commission, though given by the resurrected Christ, could not be fulfilled by human effort alone. The "promise of the Father," the Holy Spirit, is the divine enablement for all true ministry, transforming fearful disciples into bold witnesses. This empowerment is not merely for miraculous signs but for the very ability to comprehend, proclaim, and live out the truth of the gospel. The waiting period in Jerusalem emphasizes God's sovereign timing and the necessity of dependence and prayer before embarking on divine assignments. The Spirit's coming signifies the inauguration of the New Covenant, where God's law is written on hearts, and His people are empowered from within to live righteously and spread His kingdom.

* [Acts 1:4-5](/acts/1-4-5 "Acts 1:4-5 - Jesus' Command to Wait for the Holy Spirit")
* [Acts 2:1-4](/acts/2-1-4 "Acts 2:1-4 - The Day of Pentecost and the Spirit's Outpouring")
* [John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - Jesus Promises the Comforter, the Holy Spirit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 24:49 offers profound lessons for believers today, reminding us that Christian life and service are not to be undertaken in human strength or wisdom. Just as the disciples needed the Holy Spirit's empowerment to fulfill their daunting mission, so too do we rely on the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit for effective ministry, personal transformation, and daily living. This verse calls us to a posture of dependence on God, recognizing that true spiritual impact comes from being "clothed" with power from on high. It encourages us to patiently wait on God's timing and provision, to seek His divine enablement through prayer and spiritual disciplines, and to resist the temptation to rush into endeavors without His anointing. Our effectiveness in sharing the gospel, living a holy life, and serving others is directly proportional to our reliance on and submission to the indwelling Holy Spirit.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or ministry do you tend to rely on your own strength rather than seeking divine empowerment?**
* **What does it mean practically to "tarry" or wait on God's timing and provision in your current circumstances?**
* **How does the concept of being "endued with power from on high" shape your understanding of Christian witness and discipleship?**

### FAQ
**What is "the promise of my Father" that Jesus refers to?**

Answer: "The promise of my Father" unequivocally refers to the Holy Spirit. This promise is a central theme throughout Jesus' farewell discourse in John's Gospel, where He repeatedly assures His disciples that He will send the [Helper, the Spirit of Truth](/john/14-16 "John 14:16 - Jesus Promises the Helper"). The Old Testament also foreshadowed a time when God would pour out His Spirit on all flesh (e.g., [Joel 2:28-29](/joel/2-28-29 "Joel 2:28-29 - God's Spirit Poured Out")). The fulfillment of this promise is dramatically chronicled in [Acts 2](/acts/2 "Acts 2 - The Day of Pentecost"), on the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples, empowering them for their mission.

**Why did Jesus command the disciples to "tarry in the city of Jerusalem"?**

Answer: The command to "tarry" (or wait) in Jerusalem was crucial for several reasons. First, it emphasized God's sovereign timing; the Holy Spirit would be poured out at a divinely appointed moment. Second, it provided a period for the disciples to gather, pray, and unite in anticipation, preparing their hearts and minds for the unprecedented outpouring. Third, Jerusalem was the strategic starting point for the gospel message, as Jesus had commanded them to preach repentance and forgiveness of sins to all nations, "beginning at Jerusalem" ([Luke 24:47](/luke/24-47 "Luke 24:47 - The Commission to Preach")). The waiting was not passive but an active posture of obedience and dependence, essential before embarking on their global mission.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 24:49 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the ongoing work of the ascended Lord, who, having completed His redemptive work on the cross and secured victory through His resurrection, now pours out His Spirit as the "promise of the Father." This verse reveals that the mission of the Church is not merely a continuation of Jesus' earthly ministry by human effort, but a Spirit-empowered extension of Christ's own work through His body. Jesus is the one who "sends" the Spirit, demonstrating His divine authority and His active role in equipping His followers. The Holy Spirit, often called the [Spirit of Christ](/romans/8-9 "Romans 8:9 - The Spirit of Christ Dwelling in Believers"), empowers believers to bear witness to Jesus, to live lives that reflect His character, and to carry forward His redemptive purposes in the world. Thus, the "power from on high" is fundamentally Christ's power, enabling His Church to be His hands and feet, His voice and heart, until He returns, ensuring that the work He began will be completed through His Spirit-filled people.

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

Acts 1:8

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

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.

Joel 2:28

¶ And it shall come to pass afterward, [that] I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

Joel 2:32

And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

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.

Isaiah 44:3

For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:

Isaiah 44:4

And they shall spring up [as] among the grass, as willows by the water courses.