Ephesians 4:9
New International Version
(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions?

New Living Translation
Notice that it says “he ascended.” This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world.

English Standard Version
(In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth?

Berean Standard Bible
What does “He ascended” mean, except that He also descended to the lower parts of the earth?

Berean Literal Bible
Now what is "He ascended," except that He also descended into the lower regions of the earth?

King James Bible
(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

New King James Version
(Now this, “He ascended” —what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?

New American Standard Bible
(Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth?

NASB 1995
(Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth?

NASB 1977
(Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth?

Legacy Standard Bible
(Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also descended into the lower parts of the earth?

Amplified Bible
(Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had previously descended [from the heights of heaven] into the lower parts of the earth?

Christian Standard Bible
But what does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower parts of the earth?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But what does “He ascended” mean except that He descended to the lower parts of the earth?

American Standard Version
(Now this, He ascended, what is it but that he also descended into the lower parts of the earth?

Contemporary English Version
When it says, "he went up," it means that Christ had been deep in the earth.

English Revised Version
(Now this, He ascended, what is it but that he also descended into the lower parts of the earth?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Now what does it mean that he went up except that he also had gone down to the lowest parts of the earth?

Good News Translation
Now, what does "he went up" mean? It means that first he came down to the lowest depths of the earth.

International Standard Version
Now what does this "he went up" mean except that he also had gone down into the lower parts of the earth?

Majority Standard Bible
What does “He ascended” mean, except that He also descended first to the lower parts of the earth?

NET Bible
Now what is the meaning of "he ascended," except that he also descended to the lower regions, namely, the earth?

New Heart English Bible
Now this, "He ascended," what is it but that he also descended into the lower parts of the earth?

Webster's Bible Translation
Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

Weymouth New Testament


World English Bible
Now this, “He ascended”, what is it but that he also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And that, He went up, what is it except that He also went down first into the lower parts of the earth?

Berean Literal Bible
Now what is "He ascended," except that He also descended into the lower regions of the earth?

Young's Literal Translation
and that, he went up, what is it except that he also went down first to the lower parts of the earth?

Smith's Literal Translation
(And so having ascended, what is it except that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now that he ascended, what is it, but because he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now that he has ascended, what is left except for him also to descended, first to the lower parts of the earth?

New American Bible
What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended into the lower [regions] of the earth?

New Revised Standard Version
(When it says, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the inner parts of the earth?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But that he ascended, what is it but that also he first descended to the lower regions of The Earth?
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But this—He ascended—what does it mean, but that he also descended into the lower earthly regions?

Godbey New Testament
But what is that which ascended, except that which descended into the lower parts of the earth?

Haweis New Testament
Now this, that he ascended, what does it imply? but that he also first descended into the more internal parts of the earth?

Mace New Testament
now his having ascended, what does it mean, but that he had descended into the lower parts of the earth?

Weymouth New Testament


Worrell New Testament
Now the word, "He ascended," what does it mean, but that He also descended into the lower parts of the earth?

Worsley New Testament
Now this expression "He ascended" what does it mean, but that He descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Unity in the Body
8This is why it says: “When He ascended on high, He led captives away, and gave gifts to men.” 9 What does “He ascended” mean, except that He also descended to the lower parts of the earth? 10He who descended is the very One who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things.…

Cross References
Philippians 2:6-8
Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, / but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. / And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.

John 3:13
No one has ascended into heaven except the One who descended from heaven—the Son of Man.

John 6:38
For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.

John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Colossians 1:16-17
For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. / He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

Hebrews 2:14-15
Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil, / and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

Romans 10:6-7
But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down) / or, ‘Who will descend into the Abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).”

Acts 2:27
because You will not abandon my soul to Hades, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay.

1 Peter 3:18-19
For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit, / in whom He also went and preached to the spirits in prison

Matthew 12:40
For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Psalm 68:18
You have ascended on high; You have led captives away. You have received gifts from men, even from the rebellious, that the LORD God may dwell there.

Isaiah 53:8-9
By oppression and judgment He was taken away, and who can recount His descendants? For He was cut off from the land of the living; He was stricken for the transgression of My people. / He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in His death, although He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.

Psalm 16:10
For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay.

Jonah 2:6
To the roots of the mountains I descended; the earth beneath me barred me in forever! But You raised my life from the pit, O LORD my God!

Genesis 37:35
All his sons and daughters tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said. “I will go down to Sheol mourning for my son.” So his father wept for him.


Treasury of Scripture

(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

he ascended.

Proverbs 30:4
Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?

John 3:13
And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

John 6:33,62
For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world…

he also.

Genesis 11:5
And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.

Exodus 19:20
And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.

John 6:33,38,41,51,58
For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world…

the lower.

Psalm 8:5
For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

Psalm 63:9
But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.

Psalm 139:15
My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

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Ascended Descended Earth Earthly Except Expression First Lower Mean Parts Regions
Ephesians 4
1. He exhorts to unity;
7. and declares that God therefore gives various gifts unto men;
11. that his church might be edified,
16. and grow up in Christ.
18. He calls them from the impurity of the Gentiles;
24. to put on the new man;
25. to cast off lying;
29. and corrupt communication.














What does 'He ascended' mean, except that He also descended to the lower parts of the earth?
What does 'He ascended' mean
This phrase begins with a rhetorical question that invites the reader to consider the implications of Christ's ascension. The Greek word for "ascended" is "anabainō," which means to go up or rise. In the context of Ephesians, this refers to Jesus Christ's ascension into heaven after His resurrection. The ascension is a pivotal event in Christian theology, signifying Christ's victory over sin and death and His exaltation at the right hand of the Father. It underscores the belief in Christ's divine authority and His role as the mediator between God and humanity.

except that He also descended
The word "descended" comes from the Greek "katabainō," meaning to go down. This phrase suggests that before Christ could ascend, He first had to descend. This descent is often interpreted as Christ's incarnation, where He came down from heaven to earth, taking on human form. It highlights the humility and love of Christ, who left His divine glory to dwell among humanity. This descent is also seen as a necessary step for the redemption of mankind, as it allowed Christ to fully experience human life and ultimately offer Himself as a sacrifice for sin.

to the lower parts of the earth?
This phrase has been the subject of much theological discussion. The "lower parts of the earth" can be understood in several ways. Some interpret it as Christ's burial in the tomb, emphasizing His real and complete death. Others see it as a reference to Hades or Sheol, the abode of the dead, suggesting that Christ descended to proclaim victory over death and liberate the righteous who had died before His coming. This interpretation aligns with the belief in Christ's triumph over all spiritual powers and His authority over life and death. Theologically, this descent underscores the completeness of Christ's work in salvation, reaching even to the depths of human experience and existence.

(9, 10) These verses form a parenthesis, designed to bring out the pervading idea of this and the parallel Epistle--the Divine humanity of Christ as "filling all in all" and "gathering all things" into Himself.

(9) The lower parts of the earth.--This may mean either the regions of the earth, as "lower" than heaven, or the regions beneath the earth. The reasoning of the text in itself would be satisfied by the former. For St. Paul is simply arguing that the use of the phrase "ascended" from earth to heaven implies a previous corresponding descent, which must be from heaven to earth; exactly as in John 3:13, "No man hath ascended into heaven, but He that came down from heaven." But form and usage of the phrase itself seem to point to the other meaning, which is held by almost all ancient interpreters and most moderns. It agrees with the strong expression of "filling all things," in Ephesians 4:10, and is possibly suggested by the leading captive of the powers of hell and death. Though, perhaps, injurious to the strictness of the antithesis, it is quite accordant with St. Paul's manner to introduce thus a fresh idea beyond the simple idea of descent, which is sufficient for his argument: "He descended--yea, even to the realms below." For this idea is most apposite to that frequent reference to spiritual powers of evil found in this Epistle, and it may be thought to correspond by antithesis to the "far above all heavens" of the next verse.

Verse 9. - Now (the fact) that he ascended, what does it imply but that he descended first? The ascent implied a previous descent; that is, the ascent of the Son of God - of one who was himself in heaven, who was in the bosom of the Father (comp. John 3:13), implied that he had come down from heaven, a striking proof of his interest in and love for the children of men. And the descent was net merely to the ordinary condition of humanity, but to a more than ordinarily degraded condition, not merely to the surface of the earth, but to the lower parts of the earth. This has sometimes been interpreted of Hades, but surely without reason. If the expression denotes more than Christ's humble condition, it probably means the grave. This was the climax of Christ's humiliation; to be removed out of men's sight, as too offensive for them to look on - to be hidden away in the depths of the earth, in the grave, was indeed supremely humbling. The object is to show that, in bestowing gifts on men, Christ did not merely bring into play his inherent bountifulness as the Son of God, but acted as Mediator, by right of special purchase, through his work of humiliation on earth; and thus to lead us to think the more highly both of the Giver and of his gifts.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
What
τί (ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

[does]
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

“He ascended” [mean],
Ἀνέβη (Anebē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 305: To go up, mount, ascend; of things: I rise, spring up, come up. From ana and the base of basis; to go up.

except
εἰ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

He also descended
κατέβη (katebē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2597: To go down, come down, either from the sky or from higher land, descend. From kata and the base of basis; to descend.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
τὰ (ta)
Article - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

lower
κατώτερα (katōtera)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural - Comparative
Strong's 2737: Lower. Comparative from kato; inferior.

parts
μέρη (merē)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3313: A part, portion, share. From an obsolete but more primary form of meiromai; a division or share.

of the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

earth?
γῆς (gēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1093: Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.


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NT Letters: Ephesians 4:9 Now this He ascended what is it (Ephes. Eph. Ep)
Ephesians 4:8
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