Acts 1:9-12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 1:11

Gazing up into heaven - Not to the top of a mountain, to which an unbridled fancy, influenced by infidelity, would intimate he had ascended, and not to heaven. This same Jesus - Clothed in human nature, shall so come in like manner - with the same body, descending from heaven by his sovereign and all-controlling power, as ye have seen him go into heaven. Thus shall he come again to judge the quick and the dead. It was a very ancient opinion among Christians, that when Christ should come... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 1:12

A Sabbath day's journey - See the difficulties in this verse explained in the note on Luke 24:50 ; (note). A Sabbath day's journey was seven furlongs and a half. Olivet was but five furlongs from Jerusalem; and Bethany was fifteen. The first region or tract of Mount Olivet, which was called Bethany, was distant from the city a Sabbath day's journey, or seven furlongs and a half; and the same distance did that tract called Bethphage extend from the city. When, therefore; our Lord came to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 1:9

Verse 9 9.The readers may learn out of our Institutions what profit we reap by the ascension of Christ. Notwithstanding, because it is one of the chiefest points of our faith, therefore doth Luke endeavor more diligently to prove the same; yea, rather, the Lord himself meant to put the same out of all doubt, when as he hath ascended so manifestly, and hath confirmed the certainty of the same by other circumstances. For, if so be it he had vanished away secretly, then might the disciples have... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 1:10

Verse 10 10.Two men He calleth them so by reason of their form. For although it might be that they had the bodies of men in deed, concerning which thing I will not greatly stand in defense of either part, yet certain it is they were not men; but because this metonymia is commonly used in the Scriptures, especially in the First Book of Moses, I will not greatly stand thereupon. Their white garments were a token of rare and excellent dignity. For God meant by this, as by an evident token to... read more

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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 1:12

Verse 12 12.That he may pass over unto another history, he showeth that the disciples being returned unto Jerusalem, dwelt together in one parlor. For it was the upper part of the house, which used to be let out unto those which did hire houses; (46) for the most commodious places were reserved unto them that were masters of the house, (for their own use.) Wherefore, by this word Luke doth signify that they were driven into a strait room; (47) and yet, notwithstanding, though this commodity... 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

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