Luke 24:49 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."

NIV: I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."

NASB: And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.'

CSB: And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high."

NLT: And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.'

KJV: And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

NKJV: Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

Luke is condensing several weeks in this passage. Jesus meets with the disciples in Jerusalem the night of His resurrection (Luke 24:36). He also meets with them in that same room, after another eight days (John 20:24–26). Later, He finds seven of the disciples fishing on the Sea of Galilee (John 21). At some point, He meets with five hundred men. He also meets with His half-brother James (1 Corinthians 15:6–7).

Near the end of His stay on earth, Jesus and the larger group of disciples return to Jerusalem. We don't know why; there's no required festival for another ten days. There's no indication that the Pharisees, scribes, chief priests, or elders see Him, although they must hear the accounts from others.

Jesus tells them to stay in the area. It is in Jerusalem that they will receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit: a permanent connection with God that seals their salvation (Acts 1:4–5; 2 Corinthians 1:22). They will also receive power: to speak in foreign languages they don't know, heal the sick and injured, and receive insight into hidden things (Acts 2:6; 5:3–4, 12–16).

Now, Jesus leads them to Bethany on the Mount of Olives and gives them one last blessing before ascending into heaven (Luke 24:50–53; Acts 1:6–11). They still don't know what the plan is. But they have faith that Jesus' promises are true, which is enough.

Although Jesus doesn't mention the Holy Spirit by name, this is one of many passages that refer to all three Persons of the Trinity.

Luke 24:44–49 includes the last teachings recorded in Luke, prior to Jesus' ascension. It's unclear where or when this occurs; it seems more of a synopsis than a single event. Jesus opens the disciples' minds to how He has fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies. He tells them to stay in Jerusalem until they receive the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:16–20, John 20:24—21:25, and 1 Corinthians 15:5–7 also record Jesus' experiences during this time.

After Jesus is executed and buried (Luke 23:52–53), the women who had followed Him from Galilee come to improve His burial condition. They find an open, empty tomb and angels. The disciples are informed. Two of them spend time speaking with a stranger while walking, only to realize it was Jesus Himself. Jesus appears to His followers, eating fish and explaining how His role as Messiah was predicted in Scripture. Jesus then ascends to heaven while His disciples worship.

Luke 24 describes how Jesus' followers learned of His resurrection. Luke 23 recorded His legal trials, crucifixion, death, and burial. Acts chapter 1, also written by Luke, explains how Jesus' followers prepare for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the church. Luke 24's theme is the fulfillment of prophecy from Jesus and the Old Testament prophets. Once Jesus' followers understand, He returns to heaven. Matthew 28 includes how the Sanhedrin bribed the guards. John chapter 20 adds Thomas coming to believe while chapter 21 records Peter's reconciliation with Jesus.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.