6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him,

manifestation of the Spirit, peculiar to the apostles and sundry chosen associates in the first age of the church, is clearly indicated. Not many days hence. Generally supposed to be not more than ten or twelve. The promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost.

saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time. restore again the kingdom to Israel ?

he would rise from the dead, because their confidence in him, as the Messiah, was destroyed. They did not now expect he would ascend from the earth, because their faith in him was renewed, and their expectation of an earthly kingdom was revived. Nothing short of ocular demonstration would suffice to convince them that he had taken his final departure from the earth; and they were not likely to be deceived in this matter. Wilt thou at this time restore again, &c. "That temporal dominion over all other nations which the Jews then expected being never before granted to them, the word here cannot well be rendered restore, but rather grant, or establish. Ingenious here is the conceit of Dr. Lightfoot, that the reason of the question, Wilt thou do it at this time? arose from their reflection on the indignities the Jews had done to Christ," &c.-Whitby. The conceit, here referred to, is thus expressed: "It is very apparent, that the apostles had the same fanciful conceptions about the earthly reign of Christ with the rest of that nation; but yet they seem here a little to doubt and hesitate, either as to the thing itself, or at least as to the time; and that, not without cause, considering some things which had so late

6. When they therefore were come together. This would seem to be not the same meeting mentioned in ver, 4, 5: that was probably in Jerusalem, but this on the mount of Olives. Perhaps, however, it was a continuation of the same meeting, the place having been changed. Luke tells us that Jesus conversed with his disciples in Jerusalem, admonishing them to abide in that city until they should "be endued with power from on high. And he led them out as far as Bethany; and he lifted up his hands and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven." Luke xxiv. 49-51. The natural import of this passage is, that Jesus led the disciples to Bethany, and ascended in their sight, immediately after commanding them to await the fulfilment of the promise in Jerusalem. If so, then we may understand the phrase here used to be equivalent to while they continued together, though they had evidently pas-ly fallen out. Lord, wilt thou restore sed from Jerusalem to the Mount of the kingdom to those that have dealt Olives, ver. 12, on the slope of which so basely and perfidiously with thee? mount the village of Bethany was situ- What! to this generation, that lies under ated. See note on Matt. xxi. 1. How- the actual guilt of thy bloodshed? Or, ever this be, the disciples were now indeed, to this nation at all, which, by evidently enjoying their last interview the perpetration of the late wickedness, on earth with their Master; for "while had made itself unworthy of so great a they beheld, he was taken up, and a kindness?"-Lightfoot. The ingenucloud received him out of their sight;" ity of this conceit may be admitted; ver. 9. They asked, &c. It is sin- yet its soundness may well be questiongular that the only question which they ed. It never entered the thoughts of are recorded to have proposed, on this the disciples, that those Jews who had occasion, should furnish evidence that persecuted Jesus were to be advanced they still continued to expect an earth-to posts of honor in the expected kingly kingdom, and to anticipate its honors and glory. This fact is important, because it shows the improbability of their being deceived in regard to the ascension. This, as well as many previous events, was contrary to their expectations. They did not believe Jesus would die, because they expected the Messiah would reign on earth for ever, as an earthly prince. They did not believe

dom; but they were to be punished severely for their misconduct. The twelve thrones and the authority to judge the twelve tribes of Israel had been promised to the apostles; and to the fulfilment of this promise they looked forward with some degree of impatience. It is inconsistent with the uniform character of their language on this subject to suppose they intended

7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in his own power.

8 But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem, and

here to dissuade our Lord from an im- ticulars of God's designs. It was suffimediate establishment of this earthly cient that he had revealed his purpose; kingdom. They intimated their dis- they need not inquire too curiously appointment that he had not done it, concerning the precise time when all even after the Jews had filled the cup should be accomplished. Even he himof their iniquity, Luke xxiv. 21; and self did not profess to know the day nothing had since occurred to lead and hour when the old world or dispenthem to desire further delay. On the sation should cease, and the new world contrary, their hopes were highly excit- commence, or the kingdom of heaven ed by the resurrection of Jesus; and be established. See Matt. xxiv. 36; they could not repress the inquiry Mark xiii. 32. And if this was not whether he would now establish his made known to the Son, his disciples kingdom, punish his enemies, and grant might well content themselves without a suitable recompense to his faithful learning precisely when the prediction followers. They seem to have had no should be fulfilled. The times or the doubt that such a kingdom would be seasons. This phrase may be regarded established. All the instructions of their as equivalent to the day and hour menMaster, his distinct affirmation that his tioned in Matt. xxiv. 36; times and day kingdom was not of this world, and his denoting a longer period, and seasons repeated declaration that he should and hour, a shorter. The meaning is, soon return to his Father, to dwell no that future events, whether near or more bodily on the earth, all this remote, whether a long or a short time availed nothing to eradicate their hopes be required for their accomplishment, of an earthly kingdom, or dispel their are known with exactness by God only. fond dreams of its splendor and glory. If he reveal the fact, it is in general Their only doubt was, whether the time terms, not in detail. In his own power. for its establishment had come; shall Or, authority. The future is entirely it be at this time? This was the point within the control of divine authority. of their inquiry. And the inquiry ex- We may confidently expect the fulfilhibits both the inveteracy of their pre- ment of the Father's promises; for he judice, and their impatience of any cannot lie. But we need not concern further delay in the consummation of ourselves as to the precise time when their hopes. It may be added, that this any promised event shall be accomis the last instance in which they man-plished, unless it is definitely revealed. ifested any expectation of an earthly For example, the disciples were assured kingdom. Within a few days, the Spirit was poured out upon them, and they were enabled not only to remember the language of their Lord, John xiv. 26, but to understand its true spiritual import. They then understood that his was a spiritual kingdom, for the full establishment of which in the hearts of men they were ready to devote their utmost exertions, and even their lives.

7. It is not for you to know, &c. Our Lord did not choose to correct their mistake, as to the character of the kingdom: he had previously spoken with sufficient plainness. He preferred now to pursue the same course as on another occasion, recorded by Matthew, chap. xxiv. He admonished them that they might not expect to know the par

that, during the lifetime of some of their number, the kingdom of God should be established, and men rewarded according to their works. So far as the promise had respect to the duration of human life, it was definite; but the precise day and hour were not specified; and when the disciples inquired concerning these, their curiosity was checked by the assurance that such exact information had not been communicated to their Master himself. It is not well to push our inquiries beyond the word of revelation. We may better be content with the general assurances given us, and believe that God will bestow the promised blessings at the best time, and in the best manner.

8. Ye shall receive, &c. Literally, ye shall receive the power of the Holy

in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

25, 26.

Ghost coming upon you. The meaning apostles should there first elevate the is similar to that expressed in the as- banner of their Lord, and commence surance to the disciples, Luke xxiv. 49, that mighty work which was destined that they should be endued with to extend its triumphs, until the kingpower from on high." The power of doms of this world should become the the Holy Ghost, or from on high, or the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ. power communicated by the Spirit, was Rev. xi. 15. It was fitting that their manifested immediately in the apostles. Master's deepest humiliation should be They had power to speak with tongues, succeeded by the first display of his to heal the sick, and to perform many exaltation in the same city, and in view wonders and signs. They had power of the same people. It was also in acto remember the instructions of their cordance with the divine plan that salMaster, and to proclaim his resurrection vation should first be offered to the and his gospel in a manner which none Jews. Matt. x. 5, 6; xv. 24; Acts iii. could gainsay or resist. Such was the See note on ver. 4. ¶ All Judivine power manifested in their words dea. The southern portion of the Holy and actions, that their adversaries Land. When the kingdom was divided, quailed before them, and thousands in the days of Rehoboam, the two were converted in a day. ¶ Ye shall tribes of Judah and Benjamin remained be witnesses, &c. The original word together, constituting the kingdom of here used is martures (μúprvpes), or, in Judah, and the ten revolted tribes were its English form, martyrs. It is applied denominated the kingdom of Israel; to those who sacrificed their lives in and a similar distinction thenceforth attestation of the truth, as in Acts xxii. prevailed between the two sections, as 20. But this is only a technical use of the land of Judah or Judea, and the the word. Its original and general sig- land of Israel. But after the captivity, nification is properly expressed by the the principal portion of the Jews who word witness, one who testifies concern- returned from Babylon settled at and ing facts within his own knowledge. near Jerusalem; and the territory forThus, "In the mouth of two or three merly belonging to the ten tribes rewitnesses every word may be establish- mained chiefly in possession of the ed;" Matt. xviii. 16. See also Matt. Samaritans, Idumeans, Arabians, and xxvi. 65; Luke xxiv. 48; Acts xxvi. Philistines. Although the Jews were 16; 1 Tim. v. 19; 2 Tim. ii. 2. Such extensively spread over the Holy Land is its meaning here. The apostles had in the days of our Saviour, yet even long before been selected from the com- then the name Judea was applied to pany of believers, for this very purpose; only a small portion of the territory they had been admitted to the most in- originally assigned to the children of timate intercourse with Jesus for years, Israel. Samaria. The country ly had heard his instructions, seen his ing between Judea on the south and mighty works, and been convinced by Galilee on the north; being the central infallible proofs of his resurrection from portion of the land of Canaan. When the dead. They were, therefore, com- our Lord first sent forth his disciples, petent witnesses, fully qualified to tes- he forbade them to enter into any city tify concerning him. See note at the of the Samaritans, Matt. x. 5; for, end of Matthew. And they were about although they claimed Abraham for to be invested with additional power, their father, yet a deadly enmity existby the gift of the Holy Spirit, bringing ed between them and the Jews, and distinctly to their remembrance all the disciples were to avoid them as they which they had seen and heard, and avoided the Gentiles. But now their enabling them to communicate the commission was enlarged. They were truth to all men, to each in his own to go into all the world, and teach all language, and to confirm the word with nations. Matt. xxviii. 19; Mark xvi. signs following. Mark xvi. 20; Acts 15. And, as Samaria was before excluii. 43; v. 12; Heb. ii. 4. ¶ Unto me. ded by name, it was peculiarly proper That is, concerning me; or the whole that it should be specially named in phrase may be understood as equiva- this enlarged and general commission. lent to, "Ye shall be my witnesses." Uttermost part of the earth. earth sometimes indicates no more

In Jerusalem. It was well that the

The

9 And when he had spoken these taken up; and a cloud received things, while they beheld, he was him out of their sight.

proofs. But no such proof of his as cension could have been given. Had they not witnessed his ascension, a reasonable doubt might have been entertained whether he had truly ascended, or whether he had retired to a place of concealment on the earth. It pleased God not only to relieve the minds of the disciples from all doubt, but to enable them to give positive testimony to others that their Lord had both risen from the dead and ascended on high. T He was taken up. Our Lord ascend

than the land of Judea. But here it should be understood in its unlimited sense, as including the habitable world. This is evident, not only from the structure of the sentence, which is a regular climax, but also from the nature of the work committed to the disciples. God had promised to give his Son the heathen for an inheritance, and the uttermost part of the earth for a possession; and had appointed him both to restore the preserved of Israel, and to be a light to the Gentiles and salvation unto the end of the earth. Ps. ii. 8; Isa. xlix. ed from that part of the mount of 6. The Son had given himself a ran-Olives which was near the village of som for all, and tasted death for every Bethany. See ver. 12, and Luke xxiv. man. 1 Tim. ii. 6; Heb. ii. 9. With much propriety, therefore, did he command his apostles to proclaim the gospel to all nations, even to the uttermost part of the earth. They manifestly understood the command to be thus broad and extensive; if not at first, they so understood it after the Spirit had more fully enlightened their minds; and their subsequent history shows with what faithfulness and success they obeyed it. Most of the then known world heard the sound of the gospel, before their labors ended. It may be added that the assurance and command, contained in this verse, supplied the place of a direct answer to the question in ver. 6. Thus, though not in terms, yet by necessary implication, the apostles were admonished that they should look for a spiritual kingdom instead of a temporal. And while it was not asserted that the kingdom should then or ever be restored to Israel in particular, yet it was distinctly implied that the kingdom should in due time be established in the whole earth, and all should be subjected to its influence.

50, 51. The place to which he ascended cannot be determined definitely; yet it is not wholly absurd to conceive of heaven as a place, a distinct locality. See note on John xiv. 2, 3. As to the situation of that place, whether up or down with respect to the earth, see note on Acts vii. 34. A cloud received him out of their sight." There could be no deception here. They were on the top of a mountain. And from this height, Jesus ascended so much higher as to be lost from vision among the clouds. Having seen so much, the disciples could not reasonably doubt that he had actually ascended, as he said he should, to his Father and their Father, to his God and their God. Unlike Lazarus who was miraculously reanimated, he did not die again; but he departed from the earth bodily. It is generally supposed that our Lord left the earth, clothed with the identical body which had been nailed to the cross; and that it was spiritualized on its passage from earth to heaven. Recently, the idea has been advanced that Jesus came forth from the tomb, clad in a spiritual body, so closely resembling the earthly as to be readily recognized. See note on Luke xxiv. 39. It is not material they behold. It was of the utmost to the main fact, which of these theoimportance that the disciples should ries be adopted. It is sufficient for us, be eye-witnesses of the ascension of that the apostles, who were eye-witnes Jesus; otherwise, how could they ses of these wonders, were convinced, be certain of the fact? They did by infallible proofs, that their Lord, not see him rise from the dead; nor who had been dead, was alive again, was it necessary; because by seeing and that he ascended from the earth him, conversing with him, and hand- into the region of the clouds. Whether ling him, after his resurrection, they his body was spiritualized at his resurwere convinced of the fact by infallible rection or at his ascension, its condition

9. When he had spoken, &c. That is, immediately after he ceased speaking, and before they separated. While

10 And while they looked stead-1 fastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel:

11 Which also said, Ye men of

was such as to give them ocular demonstration of the material facts.

10. They looked steadfastly toward heaven. Probably his departure was unexpected, notwithstanding it had been predicted; for the apostles were slow of heart to believe. But, in any case, it was natural that their gaze should be riveted for a time on that point of space where they caught the last glimpse of their ascending Lord. Two men. We may regard these as celestial messengers, though called men on account of their appearance in human form. Thus was our Lord's departure from the earth, like his advent, attended by the uninistry of angels. In white apparel. The emblem of purity, and often described as the visible garb of angels. See Matt. xxviii. 3; Mark xvi. 5. "As two angels are mentioned only as addressing the apostles after the resurrection of Jesus (John xx. 12; Luke xxiv. 4), it is no unnatural supposition that these were the same who had been designated to the honorable office of bearing witness to his resurrection, and of giving them all the information about that resurrection, and of his ascension, which their circumstances needed."-Barnes.

Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

that his promise to return again should certainly be fulfilled. Into heaven. Into the immediate presence of God. See note on John xiv. 2, 3. ¶ Shall so come in like manner, &c. Various opinions have been entertained concerning the coming of our Lord, here indicated. Very many have supposed it to be his coming at the last judg ment, so called. But, aside from the question whether what is generally called the last judgment can be satisfactorily proved from the scriptures, it seems altogether unnatural to suppose the angels to refer to a period, many centuries distant, when their language seems to imply that some at least of the persons addressed should witness the coming of the Lord. Especially is this true, when his own previous declara tions to his disciples are taken into the account. He had taught them to expect that he would appear and establish his kingdom in a visibly glorious manner. And in reply to their inquiry when he would thus appear, and what should be the sign of his coming, he enumerated several signs, and solemnly declared, "This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled." Matt. xxiv. 34. And, on another occa11. Ye men of Galilee. Most of the sion, he uttered similar language: apostles had resided in Galilee, the "Verily I say unto you, there be some northern province of Canaan. Our standing here which shall not taste Lord also dwelt several years in that of death, till they see the Son of man province; namely, in Nazareth, where coming in his kingdom." Matt. xvi. 28. he was brought up, and in Capernaum, These predictions clearly pointed to a to which place he removed after he period near at hand; and it is certain, commenced his public ministry. Matt. that, however widely they mistook the ii. 22, 23; iv. 13; Luke iv. 16. ¶ Why spiritual import of the language, the stand ye gazing, &c. This question is apostles expected to witness this comsomewhat similar to that recorded in ing, during their lifetime. They uniLuke xxiv. 5, 6: "Why seek ye the formly speak of it as a nearly approachliving among the dead? He is not here, ing event, and exhort their brethren to but is risen." It was useless for the be prepared for it at any moment. disciples to gaze longer on the clouds. doing, they imitated their Master, who Jesus had gone far beyond the reach of taught them to watch constantly, lest, their vision. Mortal eyes could not when he came, he should find them sleeppenetrate the heavenly mansions whith-ing. Mark xiii. 33-37. And although er he had gone. A similar assurance also was given in this case as in the other. Then they were assured that he would meet them in Galilee, as he had promised; now they were assured

In so

he did not profess to know the exact hour when he should come, yet he positively declared that some then living should be eye-witnesses of this glorious event. These predictions so clearly point to the