In a detailed manner, our topic tonight is the four different, yet all biblical, ascension stories of Jesus and also a potential 5th unmentioned one from the Gospel of Matthew simply because of how the gospel ends or leaves us with.
Likewise, not only will we see that they are different, but also what time of day it is or which day of month it might be.
The most popular account is taken from the Book of Acts where we see Jesus ascending to heaven on the 40 day after his supposed resurrection.
The first story....
Acts 1:1-11
1. The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2. Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3. To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 4. And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.6. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?7. And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.8. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.9. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.10. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;11. Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. 12. Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey."
So we see here Jesus ascends on the 40th day from his resurrection and from the Mount if Olives.
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Second story
From Luke...
This account is odd, because according to myth, popular belief and the church fathers, the unnamed Gospel is believed to be by Luke who supposedly also authored Acts, though unnamed as well. Luke has a totally different account than Acts...
Luke 23:50-24:51
50. And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counseller; and he was a good man, and a just:51. (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.52. This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.53. And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.54. And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.55. And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.56. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.
1. Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.2. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.3. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.4. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:5. And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 6. He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,7. Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.8. And they remembered his words,9. And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.10. It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.11. And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.12. Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.13. And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.14. And they talked together of all these things which had happened.15. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.16. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.17. And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?18. And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass therein these days?19. And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:20. And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.21. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.22. Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;23. And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.24. And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.25. Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:26. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?27. And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.28. And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.29. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.30. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.31. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.32. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?33. And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,34. Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.35. And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.36. And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.37. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.38. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?39. Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.40. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.41. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?42. And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.43. And he took it, and did eat before them.44. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.45. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,46. And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:47. And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.48. And ye are witnesses of these things.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.50. And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.51. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.
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So here we see that on the first day of the week, Sunday, late in the evening... Jesus and his disciples walk together to Bethany and there ascends into heaven. Not on the 40th day, and not on the Mt. of Olives as Acts says.
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Third story
From John
With this Gospel you have to be a little sharp to see when and where things go on
John 20:1-29
John 20
1. The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.2. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.3. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.4. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.5. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.6. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,7. And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.8. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.9. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.10. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.11. But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,12. And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.13. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.14. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.15. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.16. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.17. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.18. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.19. Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.20. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.21. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:23. Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.24. But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.25. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.26. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.27. Then saith he to Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.28. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.29. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
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So according to John alone.... On the first day of the week Jesus told the women not to touch him because he didn't ascend to the Father yet.... Yet on Sunday (or Monday by the latest) of the following week we see Thomas touching Jesus by putting his hand into Jesus' side and touching his hands.... So by this account Jesus ascended to Heaven sometime on the day he was resurrected, because he told the woman that he is going to ascend to the father and thus, couldn't met with his disciples right then.
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Fourth Story
The 4th account comes from Mark. Mark is to the point. What is interesting is that typically everything that Mark has, Matthew also has, but Matthew doesn't have a blatant ascension story, nor reference.
Here is Mark's account
Mark 16:1-19
1. And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.2. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.3. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?4. And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.5. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.6. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.7. But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.8. And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.9. Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.10. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.11. And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.12. After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.13. And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.14. Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.15. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.17. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;18. They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.19. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. "
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So with Mark, Jesus ascends to heaven on the first day of the week as well, but unlike the others it appears he ascends right in the room where the disciples sat.. as we see him appearing to them in verse 14 and after taking with them he ascends. It doesn't say they left to go anywhere so it appears he might have ascended from the room itself.
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Firth Story & Possibility
The 5th potential place, though NOT stated blatantly, though alluded to... is the he ascended from a hill in Galilee somewhere.
This is according to Matthew...
Matthew 28:1-20
1. In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.2. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.3. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:4. And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.5. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.6. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.7. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.8. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.9. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.10. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.11. Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.12. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,13. Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.14. And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.15. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.16. Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.17. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.18. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
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Because this Gospel leaves off with the story of Jesus and his disciples on some mountain top in Galilee, it would seem (opinion only) that he ascends also from this mountain to.
Problem with them going to Galilee in the first place is not even plausible as a Jew. Why? Because the Feast of Unleavened Bread started on Friday, the very day Jesus was crucified on and it was a requirement for every Jewish male to be in Jerusalem during the 7 day feast. Well, Galilee is like 70 miles away from Jerusalem. That is far to go on foot, camel or donkey Nd be back at Jerusalem on the same day.
Maregaal
Nov 6, 2019
11:15 pm
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