Acts 1:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes,

NIV: They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.

NASB: And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, then behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them,

CSB: While he was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them.

NLT: As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them.

KJV: And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

NKJV: And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel,

The disciples are standing outside near Bethany, two miles east of Jerusalem, and they are stunned. Forty days ago, their master Jesus rose from a horrific death on a cross. Now, He has just ascended into heaven. They have their orders: go to Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4–5), but for now, they need to take a moment to re-orient their thinking.

The two men who greet them are most likely angels, though the text doesn't say so specifically. That there are two of them goes back to the Mosaic Law. In Deuteronomy 19:15, two witnesses are required for a conviction of the law. When Jesus sent out the disciples to preach, cast out demons, and heal the sick, He did so in twos (Mark 6:7–13). He did so again when He sent out seventy-two of His followers to prepare the towns He planned on visiting (Luke 10:1).

Two angels greeted the women who visited Jesus' tomb on the morning of the resurrection (Luke 24:4), although apparently only one spoke (Matthew 28:2–7; Mark 16:5–7). And when Mary Magdalene told Peter and John that the tomb was empty, they both ran to check (John 20:2–3).

Most of the witnessing in the book of Acts is done by two or more. Paul and Barnabas are together during the first missionary journey (Acts 13—14). On the second, Paul takes Silas and Barnabas takes his cousin John-Mark (Acts 15:39–40). It may be that Athens is the only time Paul ministers alone, as he had to flee Berea without warning (Acts 17:13–34). It's not a bad idea to minister in pairs or small groups. As Solomon said, "And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken" (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

Acts 1:1–11 fulfills Jesus' teaching that for the Holy Spirit to come, He must return to heaven (John 16:7). After the crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus spent forty days showing Himself to His believers to prove that resurrection and give them instructions. Now, it is time for Jesus' earthly ministry to end and the Holy Spirit's to come into full effect (John 16:8–14). Acts 1:1–11 is an expanded account of Luke 24:50–53; it is also part of a larger section of Acts that describes the ministry of the twelve apostles as they establish the church in Jerusalem (Acts 1—7).

Acts 1 sets the stage for the establishment of the church and the spread of the gospel. Jesus is alive but if the Holy Spirit is to come Jesus must ascend into heaven (John 16:7). The disciples obey His last instructions and wait in Jerusalem. Peter uses Old Testament Scripture to show the group of about 120 they must choose a disciple to replace Judas. The man must have been with them from Jesus' baptism to His ascension. Joseph Barsabbas and Matthias are put forward and, in the last use of the lots found in the Bible, Matthias is chosen.

Acts 1 is the second letter Luke wrote for Theophilus. In it, he narrates the transition between Jesus' ministry as described in the Gospel of Luke and the development and spread of the church. The disciples have received a temporary indwelling of the Holy Spirit (John 20:22), and Jesus has spent forty days reassuring His faithful followers (Acts 1:3), appearing to over five hundred in that short time (1 Corinthians 15:6). Now, the disciples complete some administrative-like tasks before the Holy Spirit can begin the ministry of the church on Pentecost (Acts 2).

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.