While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing,
Parallel translations
- KJV And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
- BSB They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.
- ESV And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes,
- NKJV And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel,
- NASB And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, then behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them,
- NLT As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
While the disciples gazed into the sky, two men in white suddenly stood by them. These angelic messengers interpret the ascension for the watching disciples.
Overview
The 'two men in white clothing' are understood as angels, as elsewhere in Luke's writings. Their appearance shifts the disciples' focus from gazing upward to the promise of Christ's return. God graciously provides understanding so the disciples will turn from wonder to obedient mission.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Luke 24:4While they were greatly perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling clothing.
- John 20:12and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
- Mark 16:5Entering into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were amazed.
- Rev 7:14I told him, “My lord, you know.” He said to me, “These are those who came out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes, and made them white in the Lamb’s blood.
- Acts 10:30Cornelius said, “Four days ago, I was fasting until this hour, and at the ninth hour, I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
- Matt 17:2He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light.
- Dan 7:9I saw until thrones were placed, and one who was ancient of days sat: his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and its wheels burning fire.
- Matt 28:3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.
- Rev 3:4Nevertheless you have a few names in Sardis that did not defile their garments. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.
- Acts 10:3At about the ninth hour of the day, he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God coming to him, and saying to him, “Cornelius!”
- 2 Kgs 2:11–12As they continued on and talked, behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated them, and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
How Acts 1:10 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.