They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.
Parallel translations
- WEB While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing,
- 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,
- 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 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 puzzling over this, suddenly two men in radiant apparel stood beside them.
- John 20:12and she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and the other at the feet.
- Mark 16:5When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
- Rev 7:14“Sir,” I answered, “you know.” So he replied, “These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
- Acts 10:30Cornelius answered: “Four days ago I was in my house praying at this, the ninth hour. Suddenly a man in radiant clothing stood before me
- Matt 17:2There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.
- Dan 7:9As I continued to watch, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.
- Matt 28:3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.
- Rev 3:4But you do have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments, and because they are worthy, they will walk with Me in white.
- Acts 10:3One day at about the ninth hour, he had a clear vision of an angel of God who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”
- 2 Kgs 2:11–12As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up into heaven in a whirlwind.
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.