Easter Season · Ascension of the Lord · Year B
Acts 1:1-11
Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven
Overview & Insights
“This Jesus... will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)
Acts and the Third Gospel clearly come from the same hand. Not only their common dedication, but their common interests and their unity of language and style leave this beyond doubt. Moreover, the way in which they are introduced—the Gospel with its relatively detailed preface, Acts with its shorter introduction echoing the other’s language—points us to the fact that these are not simply two books by the same author, but two volumes of one book. This arrangement of a work into a number of “books” having a common preface, with the later books having their own brief introduction, was a not-uncommon feature of ancient writing (cf., e.g., Josephus, Against Apion 2.1–7; see BC , vol. 2, p. 491).
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Commentary
Commentary on Acts 1:1-11 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary on the promise of the Spirit and the ascension that open the book of Acts.
Acts 1 - The Ascension and Waiting for the Spirit Enduring Word · David Guzik
Guzik's notes on Jesus' final instructions, the ascension, and the promise to return.
Acts 1:1 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentaries on the prologue, the ascension, and the two men in white robes.
Acts 1 Commentary Precept Austin
In-depth verse-by-verse study notes on Acts 1 from many evangelical scholars.
Background & Word Study
Acts (book introduction) Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on the Acts of the Apostles (background use).
Overview: Acts 1-12 BibleProject
Animated overview of Acts 1-12, opening with the ascension and Pentecost.
Holy Spirit (theme video) BibleProject
Theme study on the Spirit whose coming Jesus promises the disciples will receive.
Acts 1:1 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek-English interlinear for word study on the ascension and the promised power.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
What happens at the Ascension?
After forty days Jesus is lifted up before the apostles and a cloud takes him from their sight; two angels promise his return, and he tells them to wait in Jerusalem for the Spirit and to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth.
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