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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 1:11

Verse 11 11.Ye men of Galilee, etc. I am not of their opinion who think that this name was given the apostles after an opprobrious sort, as if the angels meant to reprehend the slowness and dullness of the apostles. In my opinion, it was rather to make them more attentive, in that men, whom they did never see before, did name them as though they had perfectly known them. But they seem to reprehend without cause, for looking up into heaven. For where should they rather seek for Christ than in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 1:1-11

The recapitulation. St. Luke is like a traveler, who, having gained a certain summit, before he proceeds on his journey through the new country which is opening upon his view, stops and looks back upon the scene which he has traversed, but which he is now about to lose sight of. He marks the sites which had attracted his attention as he journeyed—the rising knoll, the conspicuous wood, the sheet of water, the open plain. But as he looks he spies out other objects which he had not noticed... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 1:6-11

The Ascension. Heaven and earth visibly united. Chief points— I. THE CONTRAST between the earthly, as represented in the disciples, with their Jewish prejudice and thought of "times and seasons," and the heavenly, in the Lord Jesus himself. II. THE PROSPECT . Separation for a season. Cloud concealing the glory. Promise of return. III. THE FELLOWSHIP of the disciples with the Master. The mingling together of heaven and earth. The witnesses appointed, that to the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 1:9

Said for spoken, A.V. ; as they were looking for while they beheld, A.V. They were to be αὐτόπται , eye-witnesses, of the Lord's ascension, arid so it is particularly noted that he was taken as they were looking . He did not disappear from their sight till he reached the cloud which enveloped him. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 1:9

The Ascension. Probably the only direct statement of the fact of the Ascension is by St. Luke. Other evangelists point to the same consummation, but do not describe it, for Mark probably a later addition. As an event, corresponds with the miraculous commencement of the Savior's life, and his many announcements of return to heaven, especially as recorded by St. John. The important place of the fact in the Acts, and its manner of relation, show that it is not a mere halo of disciple-worship... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 1:9

The Ascension as the visible sign of the acceptance of the Redeemer. If the secret of the Redeemer's life on the earth be this—that he was working out for us a man's obedience to God in a human body and human spheres, then the closing scenes of the record of that life may be thus represented. In the struggle of Gethsemane our Redeemer's soul won a full triumph of trust, submission, and obedience. This inward soul-triumph was tested and proved, and came off perfectly and triumphantly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 1:9-11

The uplifting of Jesus. The evangelist employs two different words, both meaning " he was taken or lifted up" ( Acts 1:2 , Acts 1:9 ). I. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE UPLIFTING . The human is raised into the Divine. The body of humiliation is translated into a form of glory. Exaltation crowns self-abasement. The self-emptied One for love's sake becomes the depository for all time of the Divine fullness. For our sake the descent from heaven, and the return thither still for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 1:9-11

Heavenward gazing recalled to earthward watching. "While they beheld, he was taken up … as ye have seen him go into heaven." The exact aspect of the glories of the Ascension depicted here is not found in any of the accounts of the evangelists. Happy for us that second thoughts were brought to St. Luke, and that we were not left without the beautiful and valuable suggestions that arise from these verses! The resurrection of Jesus Christ stamped the stamp of undeniable royalty upon his brow;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 1:9-14

Wisdom in bereavement. We learn from these verses— I. THAT THE CULMINATION OF HOPE IN ONE MAY PROVE THE DEPTH OF PRIVATION TO ANOTHER . For the joy that was set before him Jesus "endured the cross, despising the shame" ( Hebrews 12:2 ). Into that joy he now entered. As the "cloud received him out of their sight" ( Acts 1:9 ), and he returned unto the Father, he took possession of the glorious inheritance for which he had paid so costly a price. But the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 1:10

Were looking for looked, A.V.; into for toward, A.V.; went for went up, A.V. Two men . St. Luke describes them according to their appearance. They were really angels. In like manner, in Joshua 5:13 we read, "There stood a man over against him;" and in Genesis 18:2 , Genesis 18:16 ; Genesis 19:10 , Genesis 19:12 , Genesis 19:16 , we read of "the men;" and in 13:6 , 13:8 , 13:10 , 13:11 , of "the man of God;" the persons spoken of in all these cases being... read more

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