Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near the city, a Sabbath day’s journey away.
Parallel translations
- WEB Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away.
- KJV Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey.
- NKJV Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey.
- NASB Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away.
- NLT Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile.
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
The disciples return to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a short Sabbath day's journey away. It marks their obedience to Jesus' command to wait in the city.
Overview
The Mount of Olives, near Jerusalem, was associated with messianic expectation. A 'Sabbath day's journey' notes the brief, permitted travel distance. Their return shows obedience to Jesus' instruction to wait for the Spirit before beginning their mission.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Luke 24:52And they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
- Matt 21:1As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent out two disciples,
- Luke 24:50When Jesus had led them out as far as Bethany, He lifted up His hands and blessed them.
- Zech 14:4On that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half the mountain moving to the north and half to the south.
- Matt 26:30And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
- Matt 24:3While Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?”
- Luke 21:37Every day Jesus taught at the temple, but every evening He went out to spend the night on the Mount of Olives.
- John 11:18Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, a little less than two miles away,
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
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 1:12 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.