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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 1:6-11

In Jerusalem Christ, by his angel, had appointed his disciples to meet him in Galilee; there he appointed them to meet him in Jerusalem again, such a day. Thus he would try their obedience, and it was found ready and cheerful; they came together, as he appointed them, to be the witnesses of his ascension, of which we have here an account. Observe, I. The question they asked him at this interview. They came together to him, as those that had consulted one another about it, and concurred in the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 1:6-8

1:6-8 So when they had met together they asked him, "Lord, are you going to restore the kingdom of Israel at this time?" But he said to them, "It is not yours to know the times and the seasons which the Father has appointed by his own authority. But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power; and you will be my witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judaea and in Samaria and to the farthest bounds of the earth." Throughout his ministry Jesus laboured under one great... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 1:7

And he said unto them ,.... To his disciples, it is not for you to know the times or the seasons ; meaning, not the times that are past from Adam to Christ; as how long the world stood; when the flood came; when Sodom and Gomorrha were burned to ashes; when the children of Israel came out of Egypt, and the law was given to them; when the kingdom of Israel began, and when the Jews were carried captive, and when they returned; when the sceptre departed from Judah, and Daniel's weeks had an... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 1:7

The times or the seasons - Χρονους η καιρους . Times here may signify any large portion of a period, era, or century - such as an Olympiad, lustrum or year; and seasons, the particular part, season, or opportunity in that period, etc., in which it might be proper to do any particular work. God has not only fixed the great periods in which he will bring about those great revolutions which his wisdom, justice, and mercy have designed, but he leaves himself at full liberty to choose those... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 1:7

Verse 7 7.It is not for you to know, etc. This is a general reprehension of the whole question. For it was too curious for them to desire to know that whereof their Master would have them ignorant; but this is the true means to become wise, namely, to go as far forward in learning as our Master Christ goeth in teaching, anal willingly to be ignorant of those things which he doth conceal from us. But forasmuch as there is naturally engendered in us a certain foolish and vain curiosity, and also... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 1:1-8

Christ's mission and ours. The introduction to this narrative of" the things pertaining to the kingdom of God" suggests to us truths concerning the mission of our Divine Lord and also concerning our own. I. THE MISSION OF CHRIST . We gather front the opening words of Luke that this was fourfold, and may be included under these heads: 1. Miraculous works. He "began to do " (verse 1). The "mighty works" of Jesus were far from being mere "wonders:" they were 2. ... 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 1:6-7

Carnal conceptions of Christ's kingdom. With these our Lord had to do battle all through his ministry. These so filled the minds of his disciples that they were unable to receive aright much of his spiritual teachings. Many of our Lord's sayings can be explained as being designed to correct this mistake, remove this prejudice, and adequately assure his disciples and us of the spiritual nature of the kingdom he came to set up. Though not in precisely the same way, yet quite as truly, the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 1:6-8

Last words. I. WISTFULNESS ABOUT THE FUTURE . A curiosity mingled of fear and hope stirs in the disciples minds. The present oppresses; we seek escape into dreams of a happy past or future. There is an clement of truth and of illusion in these cravings. II. ILLUSORY THOUGHTS OF THE FUTURE . The cherished dream of Israel for five centuries had been the restoration of the temporal power of David's throne. It was a fixed idea, and here reappears. So have we all our... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 1:6-8

Craving for forbidden knowledge—its alterative, enlarged, practical trust. "They asked of him saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time … the earth?" The question of the apostles of which St. Luke here tells us we do not find either in his Gospel or in that of any of the other evangelists, one among many indications of the probability that during "the forty days" much may have transpired between Christ and his apostles not left on record. It may nevertheless be noted, in passing, that the... read more

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