Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven

In my former book,(A) Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach(B) until the day he was taken up to heaven,(C) after giving instructions(D) through the Holy Spirit to the apostles(E) he had chosen.(F) After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them(G) over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.(H) On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait(I) for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.(J) For John baptized with[a] water,(K) but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.”(L)

Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore(M) the kingdom to Israel?”

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.(N) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;(O) and you will be my witnesses(P) in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,(Q) and to the ends of the earth.”(R)

After he said this, he was taken up(S) before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white(T) stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,”(U) they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back(V) in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem(W) from the hill called the Mount of Olives,(X) a Sabbath day’s walk[c] from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room(Y) where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.(Z) 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer,(AA) along with the women(AB) and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.(AC)

15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers and sisters,[d](AD) the Scripture had to be fulfilled(AE) in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas,(AF) who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number(AG) and shared in our ministry.”(AH)

18 (With the payment(AI) he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field;(AJ) there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language(AK) Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

20 “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms:

“‘May his place be deserted;
    let there be no one to dwell in it,’[e](AL)

and,

“‘May another take his place of leadership.’[f](AM)

21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism(AN) to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness(AO) with us of his resurrection.”

23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed,(AP) “Lord, you know everyone’s heart.(AQ) Show us(AR) which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.(AS)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 1:5 Or in
  2. Acts 1:5 Or in
  3. Acts 1:12 That is, about 5/8 mile or about 1 kilometer
  4. Acts 1:16 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in 6:3; 11:29; 12:17; 16:40; 18:18, 27; 21:7, 17; 28:14, 15.
  5. Acts 1:20 Psalm 69:25
  6. Acts 1:20 Psalm 109:8

The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

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:

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:

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.

For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

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.

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.

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.

13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.

14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)

16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.

17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.

18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.

20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.

21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,

25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Introducción

En el primer relato, estimado Teófilo(A), escribí acerca de todo lo que Jesús comenzó a hacer y a enseñar(B), hasta el día en que fue recibido arriba en el cielo(C), después de que por el Espíritu Santo(D) Él había dado instrucciones a los apóstoles(E) que había escogido(F). A estos[a] también, después de Su padecimiento, se presentó vivo con muchas pruebas convincentes, apareciéndoseles durante cuarenta días(G) y hablándoles de lo relacionado con el reino de Dios(H).

Y reuniéndolos[b], les mandó que no salieran de Jerusalén(I), sino que esperaran la promesa del Padre(J): «La cual», les dijo, «oyeron de Mí; porque Juan bautizó con agua, pero ustedes serán bautizados con[c]el Espíritu Santo(K)dentro de pocos días[d](L)».

La ascensión

Entonces los que estaban reunidos, le preguntaban: «Señor, ¿restaurarás en este tiempo(M) el reino a Israel?». Jesús les contestó: «No les corresponde a ustedes saber los tiempos ni las épocas que el Padre ha fijado con Su propia autoridad(N); pero recibirán poder cuando el Espíritu Santo venga sobre ustedes(O); y serán Mis testigos(P)en Jerusalén, en toda Judea y Samaria(Q), y hasta los confines de la tierra(R)».

Después de haber dicho estas cosas, fue elevado mientras ellos miraban, y una nube lo recibió(S) y lo ocultó de sus ojos. 10 Mientras Jesús ascendía[e], estando ellos mirando fijamente al cielo, se les presentaron dos hombres en vestiduras blancas(T), 11 que[f] les dijeron: «Varones galileos(U), ¿por qué están mirando al cielo? Este mismo Jesús, que ha sido tomado de ustedes al cielo(V), vendrá de la misma manera(W), tal como lo han visto ir al cielo».

En el aposento alto

12 Entonces los discípulos regresaron a Jerusalén(X) desde el monte llamado de los Olivos(Y), que está cerca de Jerusalén, camino de un día de reposo. 13 Cuando hubieron entrado en la ciudad, subieron al aposento alto(Z) donde estaban hospedados, (AA)Pedro, Juan, Jacobo[g] y Andrés, Felipe y Tomás, Bartolomé y Mateo, Jacobo hijo de Alfeo, Simón el Zelote y Judas(AB), hijo[h] de Jacobo. 14 Todos estos estaban unánimes, entregados de continuo a la oración(AC) junto con las mujeres[i], y con María(AD) la madre de Jesús(AE), y con Sus hermanos(AF).

La suerte de Judas y la elección de Matías

15 Por este tiempo,[j] un grupo como de ciento veinte personas[k] estaba reunido allí, y Pedro se puso de pie en medio de los hermanos(AG), y dijo: 16 «Hermanos[l], tenía que cumplirse la Escritura(AH) en que por boca de David el Espíritu Santo predijo acerca de Judas, el que se hizo guía de los que prendieron a Jesús(AI).

17 »Porque Judas era contado entre nosotros(AJ) y recibió parte en este ministerio(AK)». 18 Este, pues, con el precio de su terrible infamia[m](AL) adquirió un terreno(AM), y cayendo de cabeza se reventó por el medio, y todas sus entrañas se derramaron. 19 Esto llegó al conocimiento de todos los que habitaban en Jerusalén, de manera que aquel terreno se llamó en su propia lengua[n](AN) Acéldama, es decir, campo de sangre.

20 «Pues en el libro de los Salmos está escrito:

Que sea hecha desierta su morada,
Y no haya quien habite en ella(AO)”;
Y:
Que otro tome su cargo[o](AP)”.

21 Por tanto, es necesario que de los hombres que nos han acompañado todo el tiempo que el Señor Jesús vivió[p] entre nosotros(AQ), 22 comenzando desde el bautismo de Juan(AR), hasta el día en que de entre nosotros(AS) Jesús fue recibido arriba al cielo, uno sea constituido testigo con nosotros de Su resurrección(AT)».

23 Presentaron a dos: a José, llamado Barsabás, al que también llamaban Justo, y a Matías(AU). 24 Después de orar(AV), dijeron: «Tú, Señor, que conoces el corazón(AW) de todos, muéstranos a cuál de estos dos has escogido 25 para ocupar[q] este ministerio(AX) y apostolado(AY), del cual Judas se desvió para irse al lugar que le correspondía». 26 Echaron[r] suertes(AZ) y la suerte cayó sobre Matías(BA), y fue contado[s] con los once apóstoles(BB).

Footnotes

  1. 1:3 Lit. quienes.
  2. 1:4 O comiendo con ellos, o, posiblemente, hospedándose con ellos.
  3. 1:5 O en.
  4. 1:5 Lit. no mucho después de estos días.
  5. 1:10 Lit. se iba.
  6. 1:11 Lit. los cuales también.
  7. 1:13 O hermano de Juan.
  8. 1:13 O posiblemente, hermano.
  9. 1:14 O ciertas mujeres.
  10. 1:15 Lit. Y en estos días.
  11. 1:15 Lit. nombres.
  12. 1:16 Lit. Varones hermanos.
  13. 1:18 Lit. iniquidad.
  14. 1:19 O dialecto.
  15. 1:20 Lit. posición como supervisor.
  16. 1:21 Lit. entraba y salía.
  17. 1:25 Lit. tomar el lugar de.
  18. 1:26 Lit. Y les dieron.
  19. 1:26 Lit. escogido.