 | When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God. |
 | And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen. |
 | And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising God. |
Commentary
The Ascension of Christ took place forty days after His resurrection. He took His disciples as far as Bethany, on the eastern side of the Mt. of Olives, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. While doing so, He was taken up into heaven. They worshiped Him, then returned to Jerusalem with great joy. For the next ten days, they spent much time in the temple praising and blessing God.
Luke's Gospel opened with devout believers at the temple, praying for the long-expected Messiah. It closes at the same place with devout believers praising and 70 blessing God for answered prayer and for accomplished redemption.
MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Lk 24:50). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.