Acts 1:4
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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
παρήγγειλεν
them commanded
G3853
παρήγγειλεν
them commanded
Strong's:
G3853
Word #:
3 of 17
to transmit a message, i.e., (by implication) to enjoin
αὐτοῖς
them
G846
αὐτοῖς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 17
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
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
5 of 17
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
Ἱεροσολύμων
Jerusalem
G2414
Ἱεροσολύμων
Jerusalem
Strong's:
G2414
Word #:
6 of 17
hierosolyma (i.e., jerushalaim), the capitol of palestine
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
7 of 17
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
χωρίζεσθαι
depart
G5563
χωρίζεσθαι
depart
Strong's:
G5563
Word #:
8 of 17
to place room between, i.e., part; reflexively, to go away
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
9 of 17
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐπαγγελίαν
for the promise
G1860
ἐπαγγελίαν
for the promise
Strong's:
G1860
Word #:
12 of 17
an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατρὸς
of the Father
G3962
πατρὸς
of the Father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
14 of 17
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
ἣν
which
G3739
ἣν
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
15 of 17
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Cross References
Luke 24:49And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.John 14:16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;John 15:26But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:John 7:39(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)Acts 2:33Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.John 20:22And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:Luke 12:12For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.Luke 11:13If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?Acts 10:41Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.Matthew 10:20For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
Historical Context
Spoken during the 40 days between resurrection and ascension (circa AD 30), this command kept the disciples in Jerusalem despite persecution risks. The 'promise of the Father' refers to Joel's prophecy and Jesus' earlier teachings about the Comforter.
Questions for Reflection
- How does waiting on God's timing differ from human impatience in your ministry or calling?
- What 'promises of the Father' are you actively expecting in your spiritual life?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus' command to wait for the Spirit reveals the essential relationship between promise and power in Christian ministry. The Greek 'perimenein' (wait for) suggests active expectation rather than passive delay. This establishes that effective witness requires divine empowerment beyond human ability, a theme central to Acts' narrative of Spirit-empowered mission.