Ascension of Jesus

c. 30 or 33 CE (40 days after resurrection) (scriptural)

The ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven forty days after his resurrection, marking the completion of his earthly ministry and the beginning of his exalted reign at the Father’s right hand. Christianity holds this as the moment Jesus returned to glory, from where he sent the Holy Spirit and where he intercedes for believers until his promised return.

The Biblical Accounts

Luke-Acts Narrative

Luke provides the most detailed account, recording it both at the end of his Gospel and the beginning of Acts:

Luke 24:50-53:

Jesus led disciples out to vicinity of Bethany
Lifted up his hands and blessed them
While blessing them, he was taken up into heaven
Disciples worshiped him
Returned to Jerusalem with great joy
Continually in the temple blessing God

Acts 1:1-11 (More detailed):

Appeared to apostles over 40 days
Spoke about the kingdom of God
Commanded: Wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit
“You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”
Taken up before their eyes
Cloud hid him from sight
Two men in white (angels): “This same Jesus…will come back in the same way”

The Setting:

Mount of Olives, near Bethany
40 days after resurrection
Just before Pentecost (10 days later)
Final commission given
Promise of Holy Spirit

Other New Testament References

Mark 16:19-20:

“After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven”
“Sat at the right hand of God”
Disciples went out and preached everywhere
Lord worked with them, confirming word with signs

John’s Gospel:

Doesn’t narrate ascension itself
Jesus tells Mary Magdalene: “I have not yet ascended to the Father” (John 20:17)
Implies ascension coming soon

Paul’s Letters:

Ephesians 4:8-10: Christ “ascended on high” and “gave gifts to men”
Philippians 2:9-11: God “exalted him to the highest place”
1 Timothy 3:16: “Taken up in glory”

Hebrews:

Jesus passed “through the heavens” (4:14)
Entered heaven itself (9:24)
Sat down at right hand of Majesty (1:3, 8:1)

Theological Significance

Completion of Earthly Mission

Mission Accomplished:

Incarnation complete—God became man, lived, died, rose, returned
Redemption secured—sacrifice made, victory won, salvation purchased
New covenant inaugurated—old fulfilled, new established
Disciples commissioned—witnesses empowered, mission given

Exaltation and Enthronement

Seated at God’s Right Hand:

Position of highest honor and authority
Fulfills Psalm 110:1: “The LORD said to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand’”
All authority given (Matthew 28:18)
Name above every name (Philippians 2:9)
Head over all things (Ephesians 1:22)

Cosmic Lordship:

Rules over heaven and earth
Reigning King, not absent landlord
Active governance, not passive waiting
Lord of all, not just Christians

High Priestly Ministry

Heavenly Intercession:

Jesus appears before God on our behalf (Hebrews 9:24)
Makes intercession for believers (Hebrews 7:25, Romans 8:34)
Eternal high priest (Hebrews 7:24)
Mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5)

Access to God:

Because Jesus entered heaven, we can approach God’s throne confidently (Hebrews 4:14-16)
Our forerunner who opened the way (Hebrews 6:19-20)
Brings us to God (1 Peter 3:18)

Promise of the Spirit

Prerequisite for Pentecost:

“It is for your good that I am going away” (John 16:7)
Unless Jesus goes, the Spirit won’t come
Ascension enables Spirit’s sending
From heaven, Jesus pours out the Spirit (Acts 2:33)

Shift in Presence:

From localized (Jesus in one place) to universal (Spirit everywhere)
From external (Jesus with them) to internal (Spirit in them)
From temporary (Jesus’s 3-year ministry) to permanent (Spirit forever)

Hope of Return

He Will Come Back:

Angels’ promise: “This same Jesus…will come back in the same way” (Acts 1:11)
Ascension guarantees return
Went visibly, will return visibly
Left from Mount of Olives, will return there (Zechariah 14:4)

Already/Not Yet:

Already reigning in heaven
Not yet reigning on earth visibly
Already victorious
Not yet enemies made footstool (Hebrews 10:13)

Christian Observance

Feast of the Ascension

Timing:

40 days after Easter (Thursday)
10 days before Pentecost
Falls on Thursday, sometimes transferred to Sunday
One of principal feasts

Liturgical Significance:

Celebrates Christ’s exaltation
Concludes Easter season
Prepares for Pentecost
Affirms Jesus’s ongoing reign

Observance:

Special services and hymns
Focus on Christ’s kingship
Reflection on mission and witness
Anticipation of return

Traditional Practices:

Processions
“Lifting” ceremonies (raising cross or candles)
Reading Acts 1 account
Special prayers for mission

Theological Emphasis Across Traditions

Catholic:

Christ’s priestly work continues in heaven
Mary assumed bodily into heaven (parallel)
Sacramental connection (Eucharist joins earth and heaven)

Protestant:

Christ’s finished work and ongoing intercession
Missionary imperative from Great Commission
Hope of personal resurrection and glorification

Orthodox:

Christ deifies humanity, taking it into Trinity
Ascension completes Incarnation
Icon of Ascension central to theology

Historical and Critical Questions

Historical Core

Criterion of Embarrassment:

Early Christians wouldn’t invent an absent Messiah
Jews expected Messiah to remain and rule
Explaining Jesus’s absence was challenge, not advantage
Must be authentic tradition

Multiple Attestation:

Luke, Mark’s longer ending, Acts, Paul, Hebrews
Core belief from earliest church
Part of creedal affirmations

Literalism vs. Symbolism

Debates:

Physical ascent into sky vs. symbolic language
“Heaven” as place vs. state/dimension
Cloud as literal or theophanic symbol
How much is phenomenological description?

Orthodox Position:

Real event, not just symbol
Jesus’s glorified body went somewhere
Language accommodates to human perception
Mystery transcends explanation

Timing Questions

40 Days:

Luke specifies 40 days between resurrection and ascension
John’s Gospel suggests same-day ascension possible
Or Jesus “ascended” to Father immediately, returned, then final ascension?
Early church harmonized: multiple appearances, final departure

Significance

The ascension is Christianity’s declaration that Jesus Christ isn’t dead, isn’t merely a spiritual influence, but is alive, reigning, and active from heaven’s throne. The one who walked dusty roads in Galilee now governs the cosmos. The one who died on a Roman cross now holds all authority in heaven and earth.

Far from being Jesus’s departure or absence, the ascension is his coronation. He didn’t leave—he took his throne. He’s not distant—he’s omnipresent by the Spirit. He’s not passive—he’s interceding, reigning, building his kingdom.

The cloud that received Jesus out of the disciples’ sight echoes the glory cloud that filled the tabernacle and temple. God’s presence didn’t depart—it returned to the throne room, taking humanity with it. In Christ’s ascension, human flesh sits on heaven’s throne. God became man so man could enter God’s presence.

And the angels’ promise remains: “This same Jesus…will come back.” The king who ascended will return. The one who left blessing his disciples will return to consummate all blessings. The one who went up will come down. The ascension is not the end but the intermission—the space between acts one and two of redemption’s drama.

Until then, Jesus reigns. Not someday—now. Not partially—completely. From heaven’s throne, he sees every injustice, hears every prayer, knows every struggle. And he’s coming back.

“Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into the sky?” There’s work to do. Witness to bear. Nations to disciple. A kingdom to proclaim. The King has ascended. The Spirit is coming. The mission awaits.

Christ is risen. Christ has ascended. Christ will come again.