Luke 24:44-53
While I was yet with you ( ετ ων συν υμιν ). Literally,Being yet with you. The participle ων takes the time of the principal verb.
Opened he their mind ( διηνοιξεν αυτων τον νουν ). The same verb as that in verses 31, 32 about the eyes and the Scriptures. Jesus had all these years been trying to open their minds that they might understand the Scriptures about the Messiah and now at last he makes one more effort in the light of the Cross and the Resurrection. They can now see better the will and way of God, but they will still need the power of the Holy Spirit before they will fully know the mind of Christ.
It is written ( γεγραπτα ). Perfect passive indicative of γραφω, to write, the usual phrase for quoting Scripture. Jesus now finds in the Old Testament his suffering, his resurrection, and the preaching of repentance and forgiveness of sins to all nations. Note the infinitives παθειν, αναστηναι, κηρυχθηνα.
Beginning ( αρξαμενο ). Aorist middle participle of αρχω, but the nominative plural with no syntactical connection (an anacoluthon).
Until ye be clothed ( εως ου ενδυσησθε ). First aorist middle subjunctive of ενδυω or ενδυνω. It is an old verb for putting on a garment. It is here the indirect middle, put on yourselves power from on high as a garment. They are to wait till this experience comes to them. This is "the promise of the Father." It is an old metaphor in Homer, Aristophanes, Plutarch, and Paul uses it often.
Over against Bethany ( εως προς Βηθανιαν ). That is on Olivet. On this blessed spot near where he had delivered the great Eschatological Discourse he could see Bethany and Jerusalem.
He parted from them ( διεστη απ' αυτων ). Second aorist active (intransitive) indicative of διιστημ. He stood apart ( δια ) and he was gone. Some manuscripts do not have the words "and was carried into heaven." But we know that Jesus was taken up into heaven on a cloud (Ac 1:9).
Worshipped him ( προσκυνησαντες αυτον ). Here again we have one of Westcott and Hort's Western non-interpolations that may be genuine or not.
With great joy ( μετα χαρας μεγαλης ). Now that the Ascension has come they are no longer in despair. Joy becomes the note of victory as it is today. No other note can win victories for Christ. The bells rang in heaven to greet the return of Jesus there, but he set the carillon of joy to ringing on earth in human hearts in all lands and for all time.
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