John 1:51
And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λέγω
I say
G3004
λέγω
I say
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
2 of 26
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 26
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
ἀμὴν
Verily
G281
ἀμὴν
Verily
Strong's:
G281
Word #:
4 of 26
properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)
ἀμὴν
Verily
G281
ἀμὴν
Verily
Strong's:
G281
Word #:
5 of 26
properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)
λέγω
I say
G3004
λέγω
I say
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
6 of 26
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ἀπ'
Hereafter
G575
ἀπ'
Hereafter
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
8 of 26
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
ὄψεσθε
ye shall see
G3700
ὄψεσθε
ye shall see
Strong's:
G3700
Word #:
10 of 26
to gaze (i.e., with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from g0991, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from g1
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανὸν
heaven
G3772
οὐρανὸν
heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
12 of 26
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
ἀνεῳγότα
open
G455
ἀνεῳγότα
open
Strong's:
G455
Word #:
13 of 26
to open up (literally or figuratively, in various applications)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀγγέλους
the angels
G32
ἀγγέλους
the angels
Strong's:
G32
Word #:
16 of 26
compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
18 of 26
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
20 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπὶ
upon
G1909
ἐπὶ
upon
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
22 of 26
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱὸν
the Son
G5207
υἱὸν
the Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
24 of 26
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
Cross References
Genesis 28:12And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.Acts 7:56And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.Luke 22:43And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.Mark 14:62And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.Mark 1:10And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:Matthew 3:16And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:Ezekiel 1:1Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.Acts 10:11And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:Luke 2:13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,Luke 3:21Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,
Historical Context
Jacob's vision at Bethel established that location as a 'gate of heaven.' Jesus surpasses the significance of any location—He Himself is the meeting place of heaven and earth. Early Christians understood Jesus as the true Temple, the true Bethel. All access to God comes through Him (John 14:6).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus as the 'ladder' between heaven and earth transform our understanding of access to God?
- What does this vision teach about Christ's role as mediator between God and humanity?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus unveils cosmic vision: 'Ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.' This alludes to Jacob's ladder (Genesis 28:12), where Jacob saw angels ascending and descending on a ladder connecting heaven and earth. Jesus declares Himself the true ladder—the connection between divine and human realms. In Him, heaven opens and communion between God and humanity is restored. The title 'Son of man' emphasizes His humanity while Jacob's ladder imagery emphasizes His cosmic significance.