Acts 1:3-4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 1:1-5

In these verses, I. Theophilus is put in mind, and we in him, of St. Luke's gospel, which it will be of use for us to cast an eye upon before we enter upon the study of this book, that we may not only see how this begins where that breaks off, but that, as in water face answers to face, so do the acts of the apostles to the acts of their Master, the acts of his grace. 1. His patron, to whom he dedicates this book (I should rather say his pupil, for he designs, in dedicating it to him, to... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 1:1-5

1:1-5 My Dear Theophilus, I have already given you an account of all the things that Jesus began to do and to teach, right up to the day when he was taken up to heaven, after he had, through the Holy Spirit, given his instructions to the apostles whom he had chosen. In the days that followed his sufferings he also showed himself living to them by many proofs, for he was seen by them on various occasions throughout a period of forty days; and he spoke to them about the kingdom of God. While he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 1:3

To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion ,.... That is, after his sufferings and death; for that he suffered many things, and at last death itself, is certain from the acknowledgment of the Jews themselves, who own, that they put him to death on the passover eve F4 T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 43. 1. ; as well as from the accounts of the evangelists; and from the soldiers not breaking his legs, when the rest that were crucified with him were broken, because he was already... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 1:4

And being assembled together with them ,.... At their last meeting at Bethany, or Mount Olivet, which was by appointment: some render the words, as the Vulgate Latin, "and eating with them"; which was one of the proofs he gave of his being alive; and so the Syriac version renders it, "and when he had ate bread with them", and the Ethiopic version, "and dining with them", which he might do more than once; see John 21:12 this was the last time, when he commanded them that they should not... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 1:3

To whom - he showed himself alive - by many infallible proofs - Πολλοις τεκμηριοις ; by many proofs of such a nature, and connected with such circumstances, as to render them indubitable; for this is the import of the Greek word τεκμηριον . The proofs were such as these: Appearing to several different persons at different times. His eating and drinking with them. His meeting them in Galilee according to his own appointment. His subjecting his body to be touched and handled by... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 1:4

And, being assembled together - Instead of συναλιζομενος , being assembled together, several good MSS. and versions read συναυλιζομενος , living or eating together, which refers the conversation reported here to some particular time, when he sat at meat, with his disciples. See Mark 16:14 ; : Luke 24:41-44 . But probably the common reading is to be preferred; and the meeting on a mountain of Galilee is what is here meant. The promise of the Father - The Holy Spirit, which indeed... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 1:3

Verse 3 3.Unto whom, etc He addeth this, that he might make the resurrection to be believed, as a thing most necessary to be known, and without the which the whole gospel falleth fiat to the ground, neither remaineth there any more faith. And that I may omit to speak of other discommodities that come by being ignorant of the resurrection of Christ, the gospel loseth his whole authority, unless we know and be also fully persuaded that Christ being alive, speaketh unto us from the heavens.... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 1:4

Verse 4 4.Gathering them together, he commanded, etc They had before done the duty of Apostles; but that lasted but a while; and, secondly, so far forth that they might with their preaching awake the Jews to hear their Master. And so that commandment to teach, which Christ had given them, (Matthew 10:7,) whilst he lived with them upon earth, was, as it were, a certain entrance into their apostleship which was to come, for which they were not yet ripe. Therefore, their ordinary function was not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 1:1-5

The forty days after the Passion. I. JESUS PREPARATIONS FOR DEPARTURE . In the work of God all is continuous. As in nature there is no pause, but in autumn we find the new petiole or leaf-stalk already formed when the old leaf is detached, so in the kingdom of God. There were ages of preparation for Christ's coming; and when he came, his life-work was a making ready to go. Full of blessing was the ministry of his visible presence; fuller still was to be that of the invisible... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 1:1-5

The dawn of the gospel day. These verses form an introduction to the whole book. The risen Christ is the chief Object in view. The light which has been a lowly light upon the earth, is now about to ascend and take its place as the Sun of Righteousness in the heavens. From thence he will shine upon the earth—first upon that part of the earth immediately below the point of his ascent; and from that, as a starting-place, from country to country, till the whole earth is enlightened. The Acts... read more

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