Ephesians 4:9-10
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Paul isn't just saying Jesus went to heaven; he's highlighting that the "ascended" part demands a previous "descended" part, implying Christ's journey wasn't just upward, but included a deep dive into humanity's lowest state before His glorious return. This "lower parts of the earth" points to His incarnation and even His time in the grave, making His ascension a triumph from the very depths.
(In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is unpacking a quote from Psalm 68 about God's ascension, arguing it applies to Christ. He asserts that Christ's ascension into heaven presupposes a prior descent, not just to earth, but into its lowest depths. This descent and subsequent exaltation are presented as the foundation for Christ's work of filling all things and giving gifts to humanity.
The Bible quotes Old Testament Scripture about God ascending. But Paul says this proves Jesus first came down. How does that work?
Paul is using a powerful rhetorical question to explain how the Old Testament passage about God ascending applies to Jesus. He's not just saying God ascended; he's highlighting what that ascension means.
The Logic of Ascension
The text speaks of descending 'into the lower parts of the earth.' What exactly does that mean for Jesus?
This phrase, 'the lower parts of the earth,' is incredibly rich and points to the depth of Jesus's humiliation and work.
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Understanding the 'Lower Parts'
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.
ouranos · Greek Noun
The dwelling place of God and the ultimate realm of divine authority, representing the expanse beyond the earthly creation where Christ now reigns.
plēroō · Greek Verb
To make full, complete, or permeate with His presence; it describes Christ’s sovereign control and sustaining power over all aspects of the universe and His church.
Paul uses the triumphant imagery of Psalm 68, originally about God's deliverance of Israel, to illustrate Christ's ascension. He argues that Christ's ultimate ascent 'far above all heavens' necessitates a prior, profound descent, not just to earth, but into its lowest depths, signifying His death and burial, as part of His cosmic work to fill all things.
c. 1000 BC
David's Psalm of Triumph
King David pens Psalm 68, celebrating God's victories and power, including the imagery of God ascending on high and leading captivity captive.
c. 30-33 AD
Jesus' Death and Resurrection
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, dies on the cross, is buried, and is resurrected on the third day, demonstrating a profound descent in humiliation.
c. 40 days after Resurrection— this verse
Christ's Ascension to Heaven
Following his resurrection, Jesus ascends to the right hand of God the Father, a literal ascent from the earth to the highest heavens.
c. 60-62 AD
Paul Writes Ephesians
The Apostle Paul writes his letter to the Ephesians, likely while under house arrest in Rome, to encourage believers and explain Christ's cosmic work.
This passage directly supports the idea that ascension implies a prior descent from heaven, a core concept in understanding Ephesians 4:9.
Philippians 2:6-8This passage beautifully illustrates the 'descent' of Christ in His humility, becoming a man and suffering death, which directly informs the depth of His humbling described in Ephesians 4:9.
Psalm 68:18This is the Old Testament passage Ephesians 4:9 is interpreting, showing how the concept of God ascending on high was understood to involve a prior descent and the giving of gifts.
Matthew 12:40This verse uses similar imagery to 'the lower parts of the earth,' referencing Christ being in the heart of the earth for three days and nights, aligning with the concept of Christ's deep descent.
1 Peter 3:18-19This passage speaks of Christ going to preach to the spirits in prison, which some interpretations connect to the 'lower parts of the earth,' adding another layer to the meaning of His descent.
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…
Paul isn't just saying Jesus went to heaven; he's highlighting that the "ascended" part demands a previous "descended" part, implying Christ's journey wasn't just upward, but included a deep dive into humanity's lowest state before His glorious return. This "lower parts of the earth" points to His incarnation and even His time in the grave, making His ascension a triumph from the very depths.
Paul is unpacking a quote from Psalm 68 about God's ascension, arguing it applies to Christ. He asserts that Christ's ascension into heaven presupposes a prior descent, not just to earth, but into its lowest depths. This descent and subsequent exaltation are presented as the foundation for Christ's work of filling all things and giving gifts to humanity.
Paul is unpacking a quote from Psalm 68 about God's ascension, arguing it applies to Christ. He asserts that Christ's ascension into heaven presupposes a prior descent, not just to earth, but into its lowest depths. This descent and subsequent exaltation are presented as the foundation for Christ's work of filling all things and giving gifts to humanity.
"(In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)" — Paul isn't just saying Jesus went to heaven; he's highlighting that the "ascended" part demands a previous "descended" part, implying Christ's journey wasn't just upward, but included a deep dive i…
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Last reviewed October 2026
