Luke 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.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Benson Commentary

Luke 24:49. And behold, I send the promise of my Father — Emphatically so called, namely, the Holy Ghost, in his enlightening, renewing, and comforting influences, that you may be enabled to understand, love, obey, and adorn the gospel which you preach; and in his extraordinary and miraculous gifts, that you may attest the truth and importance of it to the world. But tarry ye in Jerusalem, &c. — As the divine wisdom hath seen fit that the first offers of mercy shall be made to this people, sinful as they are, and that the gospel dispensation, in its greatest glory, shall be opened here, and the fullest proof possible be given of its truth and importance, that those may be rendered inexcusable who shall continue to reject it; I charge you not to go from hence till you have received those gifts and graces with which you are to be furnished, for the perfect discharge of your ministry.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

24:36-49 Jesus appeared in a miraculous manner, assuring the disciples of his peace, though they had so lately forsaken him, and promising spiritual peace with every blessing. Many troublesome thoughts which disquiet our minds, rise from mistakes concerning Christ. All the troublesome thoughts which rise in our hearts at any time, are known to the Lord Jesus, and are displeasing to him. He spake with them on their unreasonable unbelief. Nothing had passed but what was foretold by the prophets, and necessary for the salvation of sinners. And now all men should be taught the nature and necessity of repentance, in order to the forgiveness of their sins. And these blessings were to be sought for, by faith in the name of Jesus. Christ by his Spirit works on the minds of men. Even good men need to have their understandings opened. But that we may have right thoughts of Christ, there needs no more than to be made to understand the Scriptures.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The promise of my Father - The promise which the Father had made to them "through" the Saviour. See Matthew 10:19; John 14:16-17, John 14:26. The promise was, that they should be aided by the power of the Holy Spirit. He also doubtless referred to the promise of God, made in the days of Joel, respecting the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. See Joel 2:28-29, compared with Acts 2:16-21.

Endued with power from on high - The power which would be given them by the descent of the Holy Spirit - the power of speaking with tongues, of working miracles, and of preaching the gospel with the attending blessing and aid of the Holy Spirit. This was accomplished in the gift of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. See Acts 2.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

49. I send—the present tense, to intimate its nearness.

promise of my Father—that is, what My Father hath promised; the Holy Ghost, of which Christ is the authoritative Dispenser (Joh 14:7; Re 3:1; 5:6).

endued—invested, or clothed with; implying, as the parallels show (Ro 13:14; 1Co 15:53; Ga 3:27; Col 3:9, 10), their being so penetrated and acted upon by conscious supernatural power (in the full sense of that word) as to stamp with divine authority the whole exercise of their apostolic office, including, of course, their pen as well as their mouth.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

It is questioned by none, but by the promise of the Father our Lord meaneth the promise of the Spirit, as it came down in the days of Pentecost. This effusion of the Spirit was promised under the Old Testament, Isaiah 44:3 Jeremiah 31:33 Ezekiel 36:27; most eminently, Joel 2:28, the apostle himself interpreting this prophecy, Acts 2:16-18. See also Acts 1:8, where the fulfilling of this promise of the Father, as it is called Acts 1:4, is put before—and ye shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem, and in Judea and in Samaria; and is also expounded by, But ye shall receive power, after the Holy Ghost is come upon you. Our Lord also had said, I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. John 14:16. In this text he saith, that he will send him; so also John 15:26 John 16:7; thereby confirming his disciples in this, that he was equal with the Father, and that the Holy Ghost was sent by the Father and him, yet sent by the Father upon the prayer of the Son, and in his name, John 14:16,26. This Holy Spirit is also called, power from on high; the power of the Highest, Luke 1:35. But here the gifts of the Holy Ghost may be understood, as also in Acts 1:8, where it is said this power should be received after that the Holy Ghost should come upon them: until this time should come, which was in the days of Pentecost, Acts 2:1, the disciples were bound to stay at Jerusalem, which accordingly they did. And we may from hence conclude, that these words of our Saviour were spoken to his disciples after his appearance to them in Galilee, (of which Luke saith nothing), which was the place where (as most think) he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once, 1 Corinthians 15:6.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you,.... By which is meant the promise of the Spirit, called the promise of the Father, because he was promised by the Father to be sent, and poured on the saints in the times of the Messiah, Isaiah 44:3 and because Christ promised to pray the Father for him, and to send him from him; and that the Father should send him in his name, who would fit and qualify them for, and assist them in bearing a testimony for him; since he would teach them all things, lead them into all truth, take of the things of Christ, and show them to them, and bring to their remembrance all things they had seen and heard: and this promise of the Father was to be sent in a very short time, in ten days time, as accordingly it was; and might be very properly said to be sent "upon" them, since, when he was sent down, he sat upon them in the appearance of fire; and this being a marvellous thing, as well as of great moment and importance, it is introduced with a "behold", as a note both of admiration and attention.

But tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem; for the space of ten days; here they were to continue during that time, and not depart thence; yea, they were to sit there, as the word used signifies: they were to sit still, and be silent; they were not to begin to preach; they were only to attend to prayer and Christian conversation, and to wait for the Spirit, the promise of the Father; and who also is designed in the following clause:

until ye be endued with power from on high; the Spirit of God is a spirit of might, and of power, as well as of knowledge, of understanding, of counsel, of love, and of a sound mind; whereby they were to be fortified, and inspired with courage and greatness of soul, so as to look their greatest adversaries in the face with boldness and intrepidity, and freely, and without fear, speak unto them; and whereby their ministrations would be succeeded to the conversion of many souls; and accordingly so it was: for after the Spirit was poured out upon them, they who before were timorous and fearful, came forth publicly, with undaunted courage, and resolution, and boldness, to the amazement of their adversaries; and their preaching was with the demonstration of the Spirit, and of power; who may be said to be "from on high", since he descended from heaven upon them; and they may be said to be "endued", or "clothed" with him, since there was such an extra ordinary and plentiful effusion of his gifts and graces on them: and now they were to wait in Jerusalem for this, that in the place where the Spirit had been dishonoured and blasphemed, and the unpardonable sin against him had been committed by the Scribes and Pharisees, the might be in a most visible and signal manner honoured; and also, because the doctrine of the Lord was to go out of Zion, and the word of the Lord out of Jerusalem. The Vulgate Latin version leaves out the word "Jerusalem", and reads only, "sit ye in the city until", &c. but then no other city can be designed.

Geneva Study Bible

And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, {i} until ye be endued with power from on high.

(i) Until the Holy Spirit comes down from heaven upon you.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Meyer's NT Commentary

Luke 24:49. Encouragement to this calling of bearing witness by assurance of the sending of the Spirit, and they were not to leave Jerusalem until after they had received this mission. Comp. Acts 1:4. They were therefore soon to receive it, and not before their reception of it to enter upon their calling.

ἐγώ] it is I who send. The present of the near and certain future. Moreover, this assurance has as its presupposition the approaching ascension. Comp. John 7:39; John 16:7; John 16:13-15; Acts 2:33.

καθίσατε κ.τ.λ.] In respect of the difference of the evangelical traditions about the place of sojourn of the risen Lord and His disciples, see on Matthew 28:10. On καθίζειν, to remain, to abide in peace, comp. Acts 18:11.

Jesus characterizes the gifts of the Holy Ghost by the expression τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν τοῦ πατρός μου (Acts 1:4), so far as God promised the bestowal thereof by prophetic prediction.[280] Joel 3:1-2; Isaiah 44:1 ff.; Ezekiel 36:27; Ezekiel 39:29. Comp. Acts 2:16 ff.; and on Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 3:14. The pouring out of the Spirit is the realization of the promise of the Father.

ἕως οὖ ἐνδύσησθε δύναμιν ἐξ ὕψους] till ye have been endued with (definitely; hence without ἄν) power from on high (vim coelitus suppeditatam), to wit (comp. Acts 1:8), by the Holy Spirit. The power is distinct from the Spirit Himself, Luke 1:35. The metaphoric use of ἐνδύεσθαι and other verbs of clothing, to denote spiritual relations into which man is translated or translates himself (comp. also Romans 13:14; Galatians 3:27; Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:12), is not a Hebraism, but is also frequently found in the classical writers. See Kypke, I. p. 345. Comp. 1Ma 1:28; Sir 27:8; Test. XII. Patr. p. 587. So the Latin induere, Liv. iii. 33; Quint, Luke 1:1, and elsewhere; and the Hebrew לָבַשׁ, Jdg 6:34; 1 Chronicles 12:18.

ἘΞ ὝΨΟΥς] comp. Ephesians 4:8.

[280] The discrepancy, apparent indeed, though too much insisted on by Strauss, II. p. 645 ff., between the passage before us and John 20:22 f. is perfectly explained when it is observed that in this passage the communication of the Spirit κατʼ ἐξοχήν, which was the substance of the prophetic promise, is meant, and that this which was to follow at Pentecost does not exclude an earlier and preliminary communication.

Expositor's Greek Testament

Luke 24:49. τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν τ. π.: the promise is the Spirit spoken of in prophetic oracles (Isaiah 44:1, Joel 2:28, etc.).—καθίσατε, sit still, patiently but with high hope.—ἕως οὗ: without ἄν, because the power is expected to come without fail.—ἐνδύσησθε: till ye be invested, a natural figure, and no mere Hebraism. Cf. Romans 13:14, Galatians 3:27. There may be a reference to warlike armour (δίκην πανοπλίας, Euthy. Zig.).

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

49. the promise of my Father] both in the Prophecies of the Old Testament (Isaiah 44:3; Ezekiel 36:26; Joel 2:28) and by His own mouth (John 14:16-17; John 14:20; John 15:26; John 16:7). Comp. Acts 1:4-5; Acts 1:8. It is difficult not to see in this expression a distinct allusion to the discourses which are recorded by St John alone.

until ye be endued] Rather, until ye put on the garment of. For the metaphor see Romans 13:14; Ephesians 4:24, &c. We are unclothed till we receive heavenly gifts. “They had been washed (John 15:3), now the clothing is promised.” Bengel.

There are ten recorded appearances of the Risen Christ (including that at the Ascension), of which St Luke only narrates three (the 4th, 5th, and 10th), though he alludes to others (e.g. the 3rd). They are

1. To Mary of Magdala. John 20:11-17 (‘Noli me tangere’)] Mark 16:9.

2. To other women, who adore Him. Matthew 28:9-10.

3. To Peter. Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5.

4. To the Disciples on the way to Emmaus. Luke 24:13-35; Mark 16:12-13.

5. To ten Apostles and others. Luke 24:36-49; John 20:19-23; Mark 16:14.

6. To the Eleven Apostles. The incredulity of Thomas removed. John 20:26-29.

7. To seven Apostles at the Lake of Galilee. John 21:1-24.

8. To five hundred on a hill of Galilee. Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-18; 1 Corinthians 15:6.

9. To James, the Lord’s brother. 1 Corinthians 15:7.

10. Before the Ascension. Luke 24:50-51; Acts 1:6-9.

Since more Appearances of the Risen Christ than those here narrated were well known to St Paul (1 Corinthians 15:5-7), it may be regarded as certain that they were known also to St Luke. If he here omits them it must be borne in mind (i) that neither he nor any of the Evangelists profess to furnish a complete narrative; (2) that St Luke especially shews a certain ‘economy’ (as has been already pointed out) in only narrating typical incidents; (iii) that he is here hastening to the close of his Gospel; and (iv) that he has other particulars to add in the Acts of the Apostles.

Bengel's Gnomen

Luke 24:49. Ἀποστέλλω, I send) The Present. Comp. note on John 20:17.[274]—τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν, the promise) i.e. the Spirit, who has been promised; Acts 1:4; Acts 2:33, notes. [Ammonius says, ὑπισχνεῖται is applied to one who undertakes or engages that he will give to him who has asked; ἘΠΑΓΓΈΛΛΕΤΑΙ, of one who of himself promises or engages to give.] This was clear to them from the conversation He had with them, John 14:16-17 [I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot receive, etc.]. For ἈΠΟΣΤΈΛΛΕΣΘΑΙ is for the most part used of persons; ΠΈΜΠΕΣΘΑΙ, of the person and of the thing. The abstract for the concrete is suitable to those times of the beginning of the Church; comp. note on Matthew 4:17. [The first preaching was in the abstract, “The kingdom of God is at hand;” afterwards in the concrete, “The King,” or “Messiah.” The former suited the hidden beginnings of the Gospel; the latter, the glorification of Jesus.] So presently, δύναμιν, power.—ΤΟῦ ΠΑΤΡΌς ΜΟΥ, of My Father) The Father promised and gave His gifts through His Son.—Ἱερουσαλὴμ, Jerusalem) For it was there that they were about to receive the promise. [If they had not received this direction, they without a doubt would have left the city.—V. g.]—ἐνδύσησθε, until ye be clothed [endued]) suddenly and completely. We are naked whilst destitute of the heavenly power. They had heretofore been purified, viz. through the word, John 15:3 [“Now ye are clean through the word, which I have spoken unto you”]: now clothing also is promised to them.—ἐξ ὕψους, from on high) to which Jesus ascended. The height, put for heaven, is an expression from sacred poetry. See Ephesians 4:8, from Psalm 68:18 [“When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive”].

[274] “I ascend unto My Father,” not “I will ascend.” The time of His ascension, and, here in Luke, of the consequent sending down of the Spirit, being regarded as already present. So as to the second Coming, I come, ἔρχομαι, not I will come, Revelation 22:20. See note on Luke 9:51.—E. and T.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 49. - And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you. Promised on the last Passover evening (John 14-16; see especially John 14:16-26; John 15:26, 27; John 16:7, etc.), and fulfilled partly on the first Easter evening, when he breathed on them (John 20:22), and completely on the first Pentecost (Acts 2:1, etc.). But tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. These words apparently were spoken on the day of his ascension (see Acts 1:4). Luke 24:49

Vincent's Word Studies

I send (ἐγὼ ἐξαποστέλλω)

Rev., better, send forth, giving the force of ἐξ. Iemphatic.

Endued with power

The 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 with strength; Plutarch, clothed with nobility and wealth.