So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that Jesus was "received up" into heaven, emphasizing that His ascension wasn't solely His own action, but a divine reception. This points to the Father's active role in ushering His Son into ultimate glory, signifying the completion of His earthly mission and His enthronement at God's right hand in authority and power.
So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After Jesus had spent forty days instructing his disciples about the kingdom of God, he was taken up into heaven. This momentous event marks the conclusion of his earthly ministry and his ascension to a place of supreme honor and authority at God's right hand.
We often talk about Jesus ascending into heaven. But what if Scripture highlights something even more profound about His departure?
Mark 16:19 states, 'he was received up into heaven.' This phrasing, echoed in Luke and Acts, emphasizes that Jesus' ascension wasn't just Him going up, but being taken up. It wasn't a physical struggle or a solo act, but a divine translation, a deliberate departure orchestrated by God.
A New Kind of Presence
Think of it like this: Jesus, in His resurrected glory, didn't need to ascend on His own power. His physical body, now transformed, was subject to new, mysterious laws. The scriptures highlight that the decision and the timing were God's. This is a powerful reminder that Jesus' departure wasn't an abandonment, but a fulfillment of a divine plan. He waited until the appointed time, after fully instructing His disciples, before this heavenly transition occurred.
What does it truly mean for Jesus to 'sit down at the right hand of God'? It’s more than just a comfortable seat!
When Mark says Jesus 'sat down at the right hand of God,' he's not just describing a physical location. This is a profound declaration of authority and power, echoing ancient imagery.
A Metaphor for Majesty
In the ancient world, sitting at a ruler's right hand signified the highest honor, trust, and delegated authority. It was the place of supreme power. For Jesus to sit there means:
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This isn't about God having literal hands; it's about Jesus occupying the position of ultimate reign and favor in the presence of God.
Jesus didn't just disappear after His resurrection. The time He spent teaching His followers was crucial preparation for what was next.
The verse mentions Jesus 'had spoken unto them' before being taken up. The commentaries clarify this wasn't just a final goodbye speech, but a significant period of instruction during the 'Great Forty Days' after His resurrection.
Equipping for the Kingdom
During this time, Jesus systematically taught His disciples 'the things pertaining to the kingdom of God' (Acts 1:3). This included:
This period of teaching was vital. It transformed bewildered followers into confident witnesses, ready to carry on His work under the power of the Holy Spirit, knowing He was still with them, even from heaven.
Understand the original words
anelēmphthē · Greek Verb
The act of being elevated to the right hand of God, signifying the completion of Christ’s earthly mission and His inauguration into cosmic authority.
dexia · Greek Noun
The position of supreme honor, authority, and power alongside God the Father, where Christ continues His intercessory and sovereign work.
The ascension isn't just an ending; it's a powerful transition that links Jesus' earthly work to His ongoing heavenly ministry and the work of His followers.
c. AD 30-33
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 40 days.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
The Great Forty Days
Following His resurrection, Jesus spends forty days with His disciples, instructing them about the kingdom of God and preparing them for their mission.
c. AD 33
The Ascension of Jesus
Jesus is taken up into heaven from the Mount of Olives, signifying His return to the Father's right hand and the commencement of His heavenly reign.
c. AD 33
Pentecost and the Coming of the Holy Spirit
Ten days after the Ascension, the Holy Spirit descends upon the disciples, empowering them to begin preaching the gospel.
c. AD 33 - 60s
The Spread of the Early Church
Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the apostles and early believers preach the gospel throughout the known world, with signs and wonders confirming their message.
This passage directly parallels Mark 16:19, describing Jesus being taken up into heaven, with a cloud obscuring Him from His disciples' sight.
Luke 24:50-51Luke records Jesus blessing His disciples before being carried up into heaven, emphasizing the continuation of His ministry through His blessing even as He departs.
Psalm 110:1This Old Testament psalm is directly quoted and alluded to in the New Testament regarding Christ's ascension, speaking of the Lord saying to 'my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.'
Hebrews 1:3This verse speaks of Jesus as the radiance of God's glory and the exact image of his nature, upholding all things by his powerful word, which directly connects to His sitting at the right hand of God after His ascension, signifying His supreme authority.
Ephesians 1:20Paul describes God raising Christ from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, highlighting the immense power God displayed in exalting Jesus above all rule and authority.
expositorsMark 16:19-20: "So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God."
CHAPTER 16:19-20 (Mark 16:19-20)THE ASCENSION "So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken unto them, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen." Mark 16:19-20 (R.V.) WE have reached the close of the great Gospel o…
cambridgeMark 16:19: "So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God."
19, 20 . The Ascension 19 . So then after the Lord ] Some MSS. here insert the word Jesus. Combined with Lord, it would be a term of reverence. spoken unto them ] This does not mean immediately after our Lord had uttered the last words, but after He had on different occasions during the “Great Forty Days” spoken unto them of “the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (…
The verse highlights that Jesus was "received up" into heaven, emphasizing that His ascension wasn't solely His own action, but a divine reception. This points to the Father's active role in ushering His Son into ultimate glory, signifying the completion of His earthly mission and His enthronement at God's right hand in authority and power.
After Jesus had spent forty days instructing his disciples about the kingdom of God, he was taken up into heaven. This momentous event marks the conclusion of his earthly ministry and his ascension to a place of supreme honor and authority at God's right hand.
After Jesus had spent forty days instructing his disciples about the kingdom of God, he was taken up into heaven. This momentous event marks the conclusion of his earthly ministry and his ascension to a place of supreme honor and authority at God's right hand.
"So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God." — The verse highlights that Jesus was "received up" into heaven, emphasizing that His ascension wasn't solely His own action, but a divine reception. This points to the Father's active role in ushering…
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Last reviewed October 2026