And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
Parallel translations
- WEB While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing,
- BSB They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.
- 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 24:4And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
- John 20:12And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
- Mark 16:5And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.
- Rev 7:14And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
- Acts 10:30And Cornelius 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 17:2And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
- Dan 7:9I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
- Matt 28:3His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
- Rev 3:4Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
- Acts 10:3He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
- 2 Kgs 2:11–12And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
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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
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