Luke 24:50–51

Context

This is the final scene of the Gospel of Luke. In chapter 24 the risen Jesus appears to two disciples on the road to Emmaus and to the disciples gathered in Jerusalem. He explains that the things written about him in the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms have been fulfilled in him. He then says that repentance and remission of sins will be preached among all nations and instructs them to remain in the city "until ye be endued with power from on high" (24:44–49). After this he leads them out as far as Bethany, a village on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, and lifts up his hands to bless them. While blessing them, he is parted from them and carried up into heaven. In verses 52–53 the disciples return to Jerusalem with great joy and praise God in the temple. The Acts of the Apostles, traditionally attributed to the same author, describes this Ascension again in greater detail in chapter 1.

Interpretation

• As an Ascension account: Most denominations read this scene as a historical ascension. They regard it as one of the texts underlying the confession of the Apostles' Creed that Christ "ascended into heaven."
• As a priestly blessing: Some commentators see the image of lifting up the hands to bless the people as recalling Aaron in Leviticus 9:22–23. The Gospel of Luke opens with the priest Zechariah, who was struck mute in the temple and could not bless the people (Luke 1:22; see Zechariah and Elizabeth), and it closes with Jesus blessing. Some interpreters read this structure as an intentional correspondence.
• As continuity between departure and blessing: This interpretation focuses on the statement that Jesus departed "while he blessed them." It takes this to mean that the church after the Ascension remains under that blessing, a point often emphasized in preaching.

Debates and Issues

• Textual question: The words "and carried up into heaven" are absent from the original hand of Codex Sinaiticus and from some other ancient manuscripts, including Codex Bezae. The phrase "they worshipped him" in verse 52 is also missing from the same manuscripts. This textual variation is why the Korean Revised Version (Gaeyeok Hangeul) places these words in brackets. In the nineteenth century, Westcott and Hort regarded the clause as a later addition. However, because it appears in early manuscripts such as Papyrus 75, the widely used modern critical text (Nestle-Aland) includes it in the text.
• Relationship to Acts 1: Read on its own, the Gospel of Luke seems to place the Ascension on the day of the Resurrection. Acts, by contrast, records the Ascension as occurring forty days after the Resurrection, on the Mount of Olives. Since Bethany lies on the Mount of Olives, the difference in location is minor. On the difference in timing, there are two views. Many evangelical commentators hold that the Gospel summarizes while Acts gives the detailed account. Other scholars hold that the author arranged the material differently to suit the purposes of each book.
• The ascended body and the Lord's Supper: Denominations differ on where the body of Christ is after the Ascension. The Reformed tradition holds that Christ's human nature is in heaven and speaks of his presence in the Lord's Supper through the Holy Spirit. The Lutheran tradition does not regard "the right hand of God" as a specific place and holds that Christ's human nature is also truly present in the Supper. These questions are treated in detail in Eucharistic controversy.

In the Korean Church

• The passage is cited, together with Numbers 6:22–27 and 2 Corinthians 13:14 (13:13 in Korean Bibles), as a biblical basis for the practice of the pastor raising hands to pronounce the benediction at the close of worship. In many Korean denominations, it is customary for the benediction to be given by an ordained pastor.
• In the church year, Ascension Day falls on the Thursday forty days after Easter. The Revised Common Lectionary assigns Luke 24:44–53 as the Gospel reading for Ascension Day. Churches that closely follow the church year, such as the Anglican Church of Korea, hold Ascension Day services. Other churches may commemorate the Ascension on the nearest Sunday.

Related Passages

• Acts 1:9–11
• Leviticus 9:22–23
• Numbers 6:22–27
• Hebrews 4:14–16
• Ephesians 4:8–10