Devine Scripture

Acts 1:12

What does Acts 1:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 1:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 1:12 means

Following the angelic message, the disciples left the Mount of Olives and returned to Jerusalem. The distance, described as a "sabbath day's journey," indicates a short walk, adhering to Jewish custom that limited travel on the Sabbath. Their return to Jerusalem aligns with Jesus' earlier command to wait there for the promise of the Father, demonstrating their obedience and readiness for the next step.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is nigh unto Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey off.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is nigh unto Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey off.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then they went back to Jerusalem from the mountain named Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Then did they return to Jerusalem from the mount that is called of Olives, that is near Jerusalem, a sabbath's journey;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount that is called Olivet, which is nigh Jerusalem, within a sabbath day's journey.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called [the mount] of Olives, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath-day's journey off.

Context

This verse describes the disciples' immediate action after witnessing Jesus' ascension and receiving the angelic promise of His return. Their journey back to Jerusalem is not random but a direct fulfillment of Jesus' command in verse 4 to wait there. This sets the physical location for the events that will unfold in the coming days, centralizing the early church in the city.

v.11who 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.

v.12This passage

v.13And when they were come in, they went up into the upper chamber, where they were abiding; both Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphæus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Zechariah 14:4

    And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east; and the mount of Olives shall be cleft in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

  • John 11:18

    Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off;

  • Luke 24:52

    And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:

  • Luke 21:37

    And every day he was teaching in the temple; and every night he went out, and lodged in the mount that is called Olivet.

  • Matthew 21:1

    And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and came unto Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,

  • Matthew 26:30

    And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

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