Acts 1:2
What does Acts 1:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 1:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 1:2 means
This verse specifies the duration of Luke's Gospel: it covered Jesus' ministry up to the day of His ascension. Before being taken up, Jesus gave final instructions to the apostles He had personally selected. Significantly, these commandments were given "through the Holy Spirit," indicating divine authority and the Spirit's active role in empowering Jesus' earthly ministry and His present guidance to the apostles, even before Pentecost.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000until the day in which he was received up, after that he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901until the day in which he was received up, after that he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Till the day when he was taken up to heaven after he had given his orders, through the Holy Spirit, to the Apostles of whom he had made selection:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862till the day in which, having given command, through the Holy Spirit, to the apostles whom he did choose out, he was taken up,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Until the day on which, giving commandments by the Holy Ghost to the apostles whom he had chosen, he was taken up.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890until that day in which, having by the Holy Spirit charged the apostles whom he had chosen, he was taken up;
Context
Building directly on verse 1, this verse marks the endpoint of the "former treatise"—Jesus' ascension. It highlights two key details: Jesus' specific selection of the apostles and the divine origin of His final commands through the Holy Spirit. This sets the stage for the apostles' subsequent actions and the coming of the Spirit, which will be central to the early church's mission.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Timothy 3:16
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; He who was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the spirit, Seen of angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.
- Revelation 3:22
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.
- John 1:16
For of his fulness we all received, and grace for grace.
- Isaiah 59:20
And a Redeemer will come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith Jehovah.
- 2 Peter 3:2
that ye should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Saviour through your apostles:
- Revelation 21:14
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
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