50Leading them out as far as Bethany, Jesus lifted his hands and blessed them. [24:51] While blessing them, he was separated from them and carried up into heaven. [24:52] Having worshiped him, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy. [24:53] And they were continually in the temple, praising God.
LUK 24:50-53
The Ascension
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Jewish context, the act of blessing carried deep covenantal significance, echoing the priestly blessings of the Torah and the prophetic promises of God’s favor. Jesus’ lifting of His hands to bless the disciples would have evoked imagery of the high priest blessing Israel, signaling His role as mediator and fulfillment of Israel’s hope. The separation of Jesus as He ascended would have been understood within Jewish cosmology, where heaven was the dwelling place of God, distinct yet not entirely inaccessible. The disciples’ worship reflects a posture of submission and recognition of Jesus’ divine authority, aligning with Jewish practices of reverencing God. Their return to the temple, the center of Jewish worship, underscores continuity with Jewish piety while affirming Jesus’ messianic identity. The great joy reflects the eschatological hope of God’s kingdom breaking into the present.
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How other translations render this
LUK 24:50
- KJV
- And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
- BSB
- When Jesus had led them out as far as Bethany, He lifted up His hands and blessed them.
- Koinōnos
- Leading them out as far as Bethany, Jesus lifted his hands and blessed them.
LUK 24:51
- KJV
- And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.
- BSB
- While He was blessing them, He left them and was carried up into heaven.
- Koinōnos
- While blessing them, he was separated from them and carried up into heaven.
LUK 24:52
- KJV
- And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:
- BSB
- And they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
- Koinōnos
- Having worshiped him, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy.
LUK 24:53
- KJV
- And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
- BSB
- praising God continually in the temple.
- Koinōnos
- And they were continually in the temple, praising God.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
LUK 24:50
- of Him:The word translated 'of Him' here, when used in this context, implies Jesus was actively invoking divine favor and blessing upon His disciples, not merely speaking well of them.
LUK 24:51
- He was separated:The term used here for 'He was separated' suggests a distinct and decisive parting, indicating a clear physical and spatial distance being established, rather than a gradual or ambiguous departure.
LUK 24:52
- having worshiped:The word translated 'having worshiped' describes an act of profound reverence and homage, often involving prostration or bowing down, signifying deep submission and adoration.
- great:The word translated 'great' here conveys not just large size, but also significance, importance, and intensity, indicating a profound and overwhelming joy.