19So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. [16:20] And they went out and proclaimed everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the signs that were continuously accompanying it.
MRK 16:19-20
The Ascension
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Mediterranean world, the ascension of Jesus would have been understood within the framework of Greco-Roman and Jewish cosmology. The heavens were seen as the divine realm, and sitting at the right hand of God (Ps 110:1) was a claim of supreme authority and honor, resonating with Jewish messianic expectations. For Greco-Roman audiences, this imagery would evoke the imperial court, where the right hand of the emperor symbolized power and favor. The apostles' preaching 'everywhere' reflects the itinerant nature of early Christian mission, often conducted in public spaces like synagogues, agoras, and households. The 'signs' accompanying their preaching would have been understood as divine validation, akin to the miracles performed by Hellenistic divine men or Jewish prophets. The Lord 'working with them' underscores a partnership rooted in Jewish covenantal theology, where God actively participates in human endeavors. The 'confirming' of the word suggests a legal or authoritative stamp, ensuring the message's reliability in a culture deeply concerned with honor and truth.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
MRK 16:19
- KJV
- So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
- BSB
- After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.
- Koinōnos
- So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.
MRK 16:20
- KJV
- And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
- BSB
- And they went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked through them, confirming His word by the signs that accompanied it.
- Koinōnos
- And they went out and proclaimed everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the signs that were continuously accompanying it.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
MRK 16:19
- was taken up:The word translated 'was taken up' implies a divine action, suggesting that Jesus was not merely ascending by his own power but was received and elevated by God.
MRK 16:20
- [who] working with [them]:The phrase 'working with' conveys a sense of active partnership and collaboration, where God is not just assisting but is a co-laborer in the apostles' ministry.
- confirming:The word translated 'confirming' means to make something firm, secure, or legally valid, emphasizing the authoritative and undeniable establishment of the message.
- accompanying:The word translated 'accompanying' suggests a close and continuous following, implying a persistent presence and support rather than just a casual or temporary accompaniment.