INTRODUCTION. The writer refers to his former treatise, intimating rather than stating that he is beginning a second. The Ascension is his present starting-point, but instead of simply referring to the account already given (Luke 24:50), he narrates it again, and in a way which shows that the tradit... [ Continue Reading ]
PROGRAMME OF THE MISSION: THE ASCENSION. Acts 1:6. The opening words suggest a religious meeting; the occurrences of Acts 1:9 are in the open air; _cf._ the tryst made in Mark 16:7 = Matthew 28:16. Here the disciples are not thinking of the promise of the Spirit, but of supremacy to be restored to I... [ Continue Reading ]
THE COMMUNITY AT JERUSALEM. The scene of the Ascension was not mentioned before; we hear of it now. Luke 24:50 puts it at Bethany which is (John 11:18) fifteen stades (about 1¾ miles) from Jerusalem; the Mount of Olives (here expressed in one word _Elaion,_ hence, EV properly, _Olivet),_ is less tha... [ Continue Reading ]
ELECTION OF A TWELFTH APOSTLE.In those days (_cf._ Mark 1:9; a vague expression) Peter comes forward as leader. 1 Corinthians 15:6 * speaks of 500 brethren at once. The first to whom the risen Lord appeared was naturally their leader; though Ac. does not mention this, Lk. does (Luke 24:24). We have... [ Continue Reading ]