(In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth?
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that Christ's ascension into heaven necessitates a prior descent from heaven. This descent wasn't just to earth, but into the "lower parts of the earth," a profound humiliation signifying His death and burial, which is the surprising foundation for His ultimate exaltation.
(In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth?
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is quoting Psalm 68, explaining how Christ's ascension into glory implies a previous descent. This isn't just about Him coming down to earth, but a profound plunge into the lowest depths, a humbling that makes His subsequent exaltation all the more glorious and meaningful for His work in the world.
When we talk about Jesus going up, what does that immediately tell us about where he was before?
Paul uses a quote about God ascending (from Psalm 68) and applies it directly to Jesus. He argues that the very idea of an ascension presupposes a prior descent. Think of it like this: you can't go up to the top of a mountain unless you first came down to its base. Paul's point is that Jesus' triumphant return to heaven wasn't just a simple trip upwards; it was the culmination of a journey that began in the deepest places.
What exactly does Paul mean by the 'lower parts of the earth'? Was it just the ground beneath our feet?
This phrase, 'the lower parts of the earth,' is where things get really profound. While some scholars suggest it simply means coming down to earth from heaven, many see it pointing to something much deeper. It likely refers to the realm of the dead, or Hades—the spiritual underworld. This wasn't just a metaphorical 'low point' but a literal journey into the deepest possible state of humiliation and even separation, before Christ's ultimate triumph and ascension.
Jesus descended to the lowest point, but his journey didn't end there. What was the purpose of this cosmic trip?
Paul's whole argument in Ephesians 4 is about Christ filling everything. The descent into the 'lower parts of the earth' and the subsequent ascension 'far above all heavens' (v. 10) are the two poles of Christ's victory. By experiencing the very lowest and then ascending to the very highest, Christ is uniquely positioned to 'fill all in all' (v. 10). His journey wasn't just for himself; it qualified him to pour out his gifts and his presence throughout the entire universe, making him the sovereign Lord over everything.
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Understand the original words
katabainō · Greek Verb
Refers to the incarnation and humiliation of the Son of God, who left the glory of heaven to enter into the fallen realm of humanity and death to accomplish salvation.
Paul uses the Old Testament Psalm 68, originally a song of David celebrating God's victories, to powerfully illustrate that Christ's ascension to heaven was only possible because He first descended, even to the lowest parts of the earth, signifying His profound humiliation before His ultimate exaltation.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Kingdom Flourishes
King David, a prominent figure in Israel's history, composes many Psalms celebrating God's power and deliverance. Psalm 68 is a triumphal song anticipating future victories and God's enthronement.
c. 30 BC
Septuagint Translation
The Hebrew Old Testament is translated into Greek (the Septuagint), making texts like Psalm 68 accessible to a wider Greek-speaking audience, including early Christians.
c. AD 30-33
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus Christ is crucified, dies, and is buried. He then rises from the dead, appearing to his disciples over a period of 40 days.
c. AD 33— this verse
Jesus Ascends to Heaven
Following his resurrection, Jesus ascends into heaven, fulfilling prophecies and biblical accounts of his exaltation.
c. AD 60-62
Paul Writes Ephesians
The Apostle Paul, while imprisoned, writes the Epistle to the Ephesians. In chapter 4, he explains Christ's ascension and its implications, referencing Psalm 68.
This passage directly parallels Paul's logic, stating that no one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, reinforcing the idea that ascension implies a prior descent.
Philippians 2:6-8These verses describe Christ's profound humility, his 'descent' from divine equality to becoming human and dying, which aligns with the concept of descending to the lowest parts before his exaltation.
Psalm 68:18Ephesians 4:9 is a direct quotation from this psalm, which speaks of God ascending and receiving gifts. Paul reinterprets this to refer to Christ's ascension after his descent and victory.
Matthew 12:40Jesus uses the analogy of Jonah being in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights to symbolize his own descent into the heart of the earth, connecting to the idea of Christ's burial and descent.
1 Peter 3:18-20This passage mentions Christ being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, and that in his spirit he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, which is often interpreted as a descent to the realm of the dead.
vincentEphesians 4:9: "(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?"
Now that He ascendedEphesians 4:9 and Ephesians 4:10 are parenthetical, showing what the ascension of Christ presupposes. By descending into the depths and ascending above all, He entered upon His function of filling the whole universe, in virtue of which function He distributes gifts to men. See Ephesians 1:23. Rev., properly, inserts this, thus giving the force of the article…
barnesEphesians 4:9: "(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?"
Now that he ascended - That is, it is affirmed in the Psalm that he "ascended" - "Thou hast ascended on high." This implies that there must have been a previous "descent;" or, as applicable to the Messiah, "it is a truth that he previously descended." It is by no means certain that Paul meant to say that the "word" "ascended" demonstrated that there must have been a previous de…
The verse highlights that Christ's ascension into heaven necessitates a prior descent from heaven. This descent wasn't just to earth, but into the "lower parts of the earth," a profound humiliation signifying His death and burial, which is the surprising foundation for His ultimate exaltation.
Paul is quoting Psalm 68, explaining how Christ's ascension into glory implies a previous descent. This isn't just about Him coming down to earth, but a profound plunge into the lowest depths, a humbling that makes His subsequent exaltation all the more glorious and meaningful for His work in the world.
Paul is quoting Psalm 68, explaining how Christ's ascension into glory implies a previous descent. This isn't just about Him coming down to earth, but a profound plunge into the lowest depths, a humbling that makes His subsequent exaltation all the more glorious and meaningful for His work in the world.
"(In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth?" — The verse highlights that Christ's ascension into heaven necessitates a prior descent from heaven. This descent wasn't just to earth, but into the "lower parts of the earth," a profound humiliati…
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Last reviewed October 2026