This is why it[a] says:

“When he ascended on high,
    he took many captives(A)
    and gave gifts to his people.”[b](B)

(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions[c]? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended(C) higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)(D)

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 4:8 Or God
  2. Ephesians 4:8 Psalm 68:18
  3. Ephesians 4:9 Or the depths of the earth

Therefore [a]it says,

(A)When He ascended on high,
He (B)led captive the captives,
And He gave gifts to people.”

(Now this expression, “He (C)ascended,” what [b]does it mean except that He also [c]had descended into (D)the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended (E)far above all the heavens, so that He might (F)fill all things.)

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 4:8 Or He
  2. Ephesians 4:9 Lit is it except
  3. Ephesians 4:9 One early ms had first descended

Therefore it says,

When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And He bestowed gifts on men.”(A)

(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? 10 He who descended is the very same as He who also has ascended high above all the heavens, that He [His presence] might fill all things [that is, the whole universe]).

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Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

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

10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

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(A) As the Scriptures say,

“When he went up
    to the highest place,
he led away many prisoners
    and gave gifts to people.”

When it says, “he went up,” it means that Christ had been deep in the earth. 10 This also means that the one who went deep into the earth is the same one who went into the highest heaven, so he would fill the whole universe.

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