Acts 1:11
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.
Original Language Analysis
ὃν
Which
G3739
ὃν
Which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
1 of 31
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
2 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τί
why
G5101
τί
why
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
6 of 31
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ἑστήκατε
stand ye
G2476
ἑστήκατε
stand ye
Strong's:
G2476
Word #:
7 of 31
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
ἐμβλέποντες
gazing up
G1689
ἐμβλέποντες
gazing up
Strong's:
G1689
Word #:
8 of 31
to look on, i.e., (relatively) to observe fixedly, or (absolutely) to discern clearly
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
9 of 31
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸν
which
G3588
τὸν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανόν
heaven
G3772
οὐρανόν
heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
11 of 31
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
οὗτος
this same
G3778
οὗτος
this same
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
12 of 31
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
τὸν
which
G3588
τὸν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
14 of 31
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
τὸν
which
G3588
τὸν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀφ'
from
G575
ἀφ'
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
17 of 31
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
19 of 31
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸν
which
G3588
τὸν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανόν
heaven
G3772
οὐρανόν
heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
21 of 31
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
ἐλεύσεται
come
G2064
ἐλεύσεται
come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
23 of 31
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ὃν
Which
G3739
ὃν
Which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
24 of 31
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
τρόπον
in like manner as
G5158
τρόπον
in like manner as
Strong's:
G5158
Word #:
25 of 31
a turn, i.e., (by implication) mode or style (especially with preposition or relative prefix as adverb, like); figuratively, deportment or character
ἐθεάσασθε
ye have seen
G2300
ἐθεάσασθε
ye have seen
Strong's:
G2300
Word #:
26 of 31
to look closely at, i.e., (by implication) perceive (literally or figuratively); by extension to visit
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
27 of 31
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
πορευόμενον
go
G4198
πορευόμενον
go
Strong's:
G4198
Word #:
28 of 31
to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
29 of 31
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Cross References
Revelation 1:7Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.1 Thessalonians 4:16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:Mark 13:26And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.Matthew 24:30And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.Matthew 25:31When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:John 14:3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.Matthew 16:27For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.1 Thessalonians 1:10And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.Luke 21:27And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.Acts 13:31And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.
Historical Context
Delivered by 'two men... in white apparel' (angels) to the disciples gazing upward after Jesus' ascension. This occurred around 30 AD on the Mount of Olives east of Jerusalem. The promise sustained the early church through persecution and disappointment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does certainty of Christ's visible return affect your response to current world events?
- What does 'in like manner' teach about the nature of biblical prophecy and fulfillment?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This same Jesus... shall so come in like manner—The angelic announcement emphasizes the personal, visible, bodily return of Christ. The Greek 'houtos' (this same) stresses identity—the risen Jesus who ascended will return unchanged. In like manner (ὃν τρόπον) means his return will mirror the ascension: visible, bodily, to the Mount of Olives. This combats both realized eschatology (no future return) and spiritualized interpretations. The two angels recall Luke's resurrection account (24:4), bracketing Jesus' post-resurrection ministry with heavenly messengers confirming God's plan.