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Matthew Henry

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 1:2

Until the day in which he was taken up ,.... That is, into heaven. The historian suggests, that his former treatise took in the main and principal things Jesus did and taught, until such time that he ascended to heaven: after that he, through the Holy Ghost, had given commandments unto the apostles, whom he had chosen : our Lord having chosen twelve of his own free grace and goodness, and not according to their worth and merit, to be his apostles, a little before his ascension to heaven,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 1:2

After that he, through the Holy Ghost, etc. - This clause has been variously translated: the simple meaning seems to be this - that Christ communicated the Holy Spirit to his disciples, after his resurrection, as he had not done before. In Luke 24:45 , it is said that he opened their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures; and in John 20:22 , that he breathed on them, and said, receive ye the Holy Ghost. Previously to this, we may suppose that the disciples were only on... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 1:2

Verse 2 2Even until that day. Therefore, the ascension of Christ is the end of the history of the gospel. For he hath ascended, saith Paul, that he might fulfill all things, (Ephesians 4:10.) Our faith gathereth other fruit thereby; but it shall be sufficient to note in this place, that our redemption was fully complete and finished then when Christ did ascend unto his Father; and, therefore, that Luke did fully perform his duty in this narration, as touching the doctrine and works of Christ.... 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

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 1:2

Received for taken, A.V.; commandment for commandments, A.V.; after that he had given commandment through the Holy Ghost for after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments , A.V. The commandment or directions given by our Lord to the apostles between the Resurrection and the Ascension are recorded partly in Luke 24:44-49 ; Matthew 28:19 , Matthew 28:20 ; Mark 16:15-18 ; John 21:1-25 .; and yet more fully in John 21:3-8 of this chapter. Through the Holy Ghost. The... read more

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