And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "clothed with power" isn't just about receiving a gift, but about a complete transformation, like putting on a new outfit that makes you capable of something you weren't before. Jesus emphasizes waiting in Jerusalem until this divine "clothing" happens, showing that this spiritual empowerment is essential and not something to rush into.
And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is speaking to his disciples right after his resurrection, reassuring them and preparing them for their mission. He tells them not to leave Jerusalem yet, but to wait because he is sending the Holy Spirit, the "promise of the Father," who will empower them for the work ahead. This instruction sets the stage for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and the beginning of the church's outward mission.
Jesus tells his disciples to wait for 'the promise of my Father.' What exactly is this promise, and why is it so crucial?
Jesus is referring to the Holy Spirit, the promised Comforter and Helper. This promise was spoken of by the Old Testament prophets and directly by Jesus himself to his disciples.
Why did Jesus insist they 'stay in the city' and wait to be 'clothed with power'? What was the significance of this waiting period?
Jesus' instruction to 'stay in the city' (Jerusalem) until they were 'clothed with power from on high' highlights the importance of divine empowerment for their mission. This wasn't just a suggestion; it was a necessary preparation.
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Understand the original words
epangelia · Greek Noun
A solemn declaration or commitment made by God regarding future actions or blessings. It is rooted in God's faithfulness and is fulfilled through Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
dynamis · Greek Noun
The innate capability, influence, or enablement granted by God. It refers to the divine strength provided by the Holy Spirit to believers for the purpose of serving God and advancing His kingdom.
This command to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit highlights the transition from Jesus' physical presence to the empowering work of the Spirit as the foundation for the early church's mission.
c. 30-33 AD
Jesus' Ministry, Death, and Resurrection
Jesus completes his earthly ministry, is crucified, and rises from the dead, appearing to his disciples over a period of forty days.
c. 30-33 AD— this verse
Jesus' Final Instructions to the Disciples
Jesus gives his disciples their marching orders, commissioning them to be witnesses and promising the Holy Spirit.
c. 30-33 AD
The Ascension of Jesus
Jesus is taken up into heaven from the Mount of Olives, near Jerusalem, leaving his disciples with promises of His return and the coming of the Holy Spirit.
c. 30-33 AD
Waiting in Jerusalem
The disciples return to Jerusalem and obey Jesus' command to wait in the city for the promised outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
c. 30-33 AD
The Coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
Ten days after Jesus' ascension, the Holy Spirit descends upon the disciples in Jerusalem, empowering them to preach the Gospel.
This passage directly echoes Jesus' command in Luke, explicitly identifying the 'promise of the Father' as the Holy Spirit and reiterating the instruction to wait in Jerusalem.
Joel 2:28This Old Testament prophecy is seen by many as the fulfillment Jesus alludes to, foretelling a time when God would pour out His Spirit on all people, which the disciples were about to experience.
Acts 1:8Immediately following this instruction, Jesus states they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them, directly linking the waiting period to the empowerment needed for their witness.
John 14:16-17In the Upper Room discourse, Jesus promised the coming of the 'Helper' or 'Spirit of truth' who would abide with the disciples, a promise that finds its fulfillment and practical application in Luke's account.
Romans 13:14The metaphor of 'clothing' with power finds a parallel in Paul's teaching, where believers are told to 'put on the Lord Jesus Christ' and not to 'make provision for the flesh,' highlighting a spiritual transformation and empowerment.
vincentLuke 24:49: "And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."
I send (ἐγὼ ἐξαποστέλλω)Rev., better, send forth, giving the force of ἐξ. Iemphatic.Endued with powerThe Rev. has properly substituted the simpler clothed, which, to the English reader, conveys the exact figure in the word. This metaphorical sense of clothed is found in classical Greek. Aristophanes has clothed with audacity; Homer, clothed…
clarkeLuke 24:49: "And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."
The promise of my Father - That is, the Holy Ghost, promised, John 15:26 . See Acts 1:4 ; Acts 2:33 . Until ye be endued with power - The energy of the Holy Ghost was to be communicated to them for three particular purposes. 1. That he might be in them, a sanctifying comforter, fortifying their souls and bringing to their remembrance whatever Je…
The phrase "clothed with power" isn't just about receiving a gift, but about a complete transformation, like putting on a new outfit that makes you capable of something you weren't before. Jesus emphasizes waiting in Jerusalem until this divine "clothing" happens, showing that this spiritual empowerment is essential and not something to rush into.
Jesus is speaking to his disciples right after his resurrection, reassuring them and preparing them for their mission. He tells them not to leave Jerusalem yet, but to wait because he is sending the Holy Spirit, the "promise of the Father," who will empower them for the work ahead. This instruction sets the stage for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and the beginning of the church's outward mission.
Jesus is speaking to his disciples right after his resurrection, reassuring them and preparing them for their mission. He tells them not to leave Jerusalem yet, but to wait because he is sending the Holy Spirit, the "promise of the Father," who will empower them for the work ahead. This instruction sets the stage for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and the beginning of the church's outward mission.
"And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”" — The phrase "clothed with power" isn't just about receiving a gift, but about a complete transformation, like putting on a new outfit that makes you capable of something you weren't before. Jesus emph…
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Last reviewed October 2026