New Testament · event
The Ascension
Rising into heaven — with the promise to come again.
The Ascension is the event in which the risen Jesus, after being with his disciples for forty days, went up into heaven — the starting point of Pentecost and the age of the church.
Timeline at a glance
- The CommandWait for the Holy Spirit (Acts 1)
- The AscensionTaken up in a cloud (Acts 1)
- The Promise"Will come back in the same way" (Acts 1)
A Final Command
Just before his ascension, Jesus told his disciples to "wait for the Holy Spirit," giving them the mission, "You will be my witnesses ... to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1).
Rising into Heaven
Having finished his words, Jesus was taken up while the disciples watched, and a cloud hid him from their sight. The disciples gazed up into the sky.
He Will Come Again
Two men in white appeared and said, "This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way." The ascension is not an end but a new beginning that comes with the promise of his return.
Related verses
Frequently asked questions
Why did Jesus ascend?
So that, having accomplished his mission through the resurrection, Jesus would rise to the right hand of God to reign, and send the Holy Spirit so the church might carry the gospel to the ends of the earth. The ascension is paired with the promise of his return.
Where did Jesus ascend from?
Acts 1 says Jesus was taken up into heaven from near the Mount of Olives while his disciples watched. That hill lies just east of Jerusalem.
How long was it between the resurrection and the ascension?
Acts says that after his resurrection Jesus appeared to his disciples over forty days, teaching about the kingdom of God, and then ascended (Acts 1).