Luke 24:50-51

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Luke 24:50-53

This evangelist omits the solemn meeting between Christ and his disciples in Galilee; but what he said to them there, and at other interviews, he subjoins to what he said to them at the first visit he made them on the evening of the day he rose; and has now nothing more to account for but his ascension into heaven, of which we have a very brief narrative in these verses, in which we are told, I. How solemnly Christ took leave of his disciples. Christ's design being to reconcile heaven and... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Luke 24:50-53

24:50-53 Jesus led them out as far as Bethany; and he raised his hands and blessed them; and as he was blessing them he parted from them, and was borne up into heaven. And when they had worshipped him they returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the Temple praising God. The ascension must always remain a mystery, for it attempts to put into words what is beyond words and to describe what is beyond description. But that something such should happen was essential.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 24:50

And he led them out as far as Bethany ,.... Not the town of Bethany; could that be thought, it might be supposed that he led his disciples thither, to pay a visit to his dear friends there, Lazarus, Mary, and Martha, before his ascension; but the town of Bethany was fifteen furlongs, or near two miles distance from Jerusalem, John 11:18 whereas the place from whence Christ ascended was but a sabbath day's journey from it, which was two thousand cubits, or about a mile, Acts 1:12 . This... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 24:51

And it came to pass, while he blessed them ,.... Just as he was finishing the words, by which he expressed the blessings he bestowed on them: he was parted from them ; as Elijah was from Elisha: their spiritual and mystical union by him remained, which is indissoluble; nor was his gracious presence from them withdrawn; nor was this parting in anger and resentment, as he sometimes does withdraw from his people, on account of their sinful conduct, in a little wrath, for a moment, resenting... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 24:50

He led them out as far as to Bethany - The difficulties in this verse, when collated with the accounts given by the other evangelists, are thus reconciled by Dr. Lightfoot. "I. This very evangelist ( Acts 1:12 ;) tells us, that when the disciples came back from the place where our Lord had ascended, they returned from mount Olivet, distant from Jerusalem a Sabbath day's journey. But now the town of Bethany was about fifteen furlongs from Jerusalem, John 11:18 , and that is double a... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 24:51

Carried up into heaven - Ανεφερετο - into that heaven from which he had descended, John 1:18 ; John 3:13 . This was forty days after his resurrection, Acts 1:3 , during which time he had given the most convincing proofs of that resurrection, not only to the apostles, but to many others - to upwards of five hundred at one time, 1 Corinthians 15:6 . As in his life they had seen the way to the kingdom, and in his death the price of the kingdom, so in his ascension they had the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 24:50

Verse 50 Luke 24:50.And lifted up his hands, and blessed them; by which he showed that the office of blessing, which was enjoined on the priests under the law, belonged truly and properly to himself. When men bless one another it is nothing else than praying in behalf of their brethren; but with God it is otherwise, for he does not merely befriend us by wishes, but by a simple act of his will grants what is desirable for us. But while He is the only Author of all blessing, yet that men might... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 24:36-53

Infallible proofs and inevitable partings. The Emmaus pilgrims have hardly entered the upper room and reported their interview with Jesus, receiving the intelligence that perplexed Peter has got his perplexity resolved, when, notwithstanding that the doors are barred for fear of the Jews, the Risen One appears in the midst of them, and says, "Peace be unto you!" They are at first terrified at such an advent, seeing that it sets aside the ordinary laws of matter, and shows all precaution... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 24:50

And he led them out as far as to Bethany; more accurately, and he led them out until they were over against Bethany. The scene of the Ascension could scarcely have been the central summit of the Mount of Olives ( Jebel-el-Tur ), according to ancient tradition; but it is more likely that it took place on one of the remoter uplands which lie above the village. "On the wild uplands which immediately overhang the village, he finally withdrew from the eyes of his disciples, in a seclusion... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 24:50

The Ascension. Many thoughts offer themselves to us as we think upon this last scene. I. THE FITNESS OF THE PLACE WHENCE JESUS ASCENDED . Not, indeed, that Jerusalem could claim to be worthy of such an honour—Jerusalem that had but lately dyed its hands in the blood of its Messiah. But as the ancient dwelling-place of God, as the seat and source of heavenly truth, as the metropolis of religion upon the earth, as the place that furnishes the name and type of the city of... read more

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