Acts 1:11
What does Acts 1:11 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 1:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 1:11 means
The two angelic figures addressed the bewildered disciples, identifying them as "men of Galilee." They challenged the disciples' passive gazing into heaven, then delivered a crucial promise: "This Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven." This reassures them of Jesus' future, visible, bodily return, mirroring His ascension and offering hope to the waiting church.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Which also said, Ye men of 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And said, O men of Galilee, why are you looking up into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken from you into heaven, will come again, in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862who also said, `Men, Galileans, why do ye stand gazing into the heaven? this Jesus who was received up from you into the heaven, shall so come in what manner ye saw him going on to the heaven.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Who also said: Ye men of Galilee, why stand you looking up to heaven? This Jesus who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come as you have seen him going into heaven.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890who also said, Men of Galilee, why do ye stand looking into heaven? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven, shall thus come in the manner in which ye have beheld him going into heaven.
Context
This verse contains the angels' powerful message, directly following their appearance to the gazing disciples in verse 10. It transitions the disciples' initial bewilderment into a clear expectation of Jesus' Second Coming. This promise of Christ's return is a vital doctrinal anchor, providing hope and purpose to the disciples as they prepare to obey His earlier commission.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 3:12
And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this man? or why fasten ye your eyes on us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him to walk?
- Mark 13:26
And then shall they see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory.
- John 14:3
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
- Matthew 24:30
and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
- Acts 2:7
And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying, Behold, are not all these that speak Galilæans?
- Mark 14:70
But he again denied it. And after a little while again they that stood by said to Peter, Of a truth thou art one of them; for thou art a Galilæan.
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