Bible Strands
Luke 24:50
When Jesus had led them out as far as Bethany, He lifted up His hands and blessed them.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus leads the eleven disciples out to Bethany after instructing them to remain in Jerusalem for divine power. He concludes the encounter by lifting His hands to bless them before departing.
The words — The Greek Ἐξήγαγεν (Exēgagen) literally means "He led out," marking the physical movement away from the city. The prepositional phrase ἕως πρὸς (heōs pros) indicates the journey's exact boundary, stopping "until to" Bethany.
The thread — The departure location aligns with the Mount of Olives area described in Acts 1:12. The gesture of lifting hands to bless corresponds to the patriarchal benedictions in Genesis 49:28 and the priestly blessing instructions in Numbers 6:23.
Why it lands — The text records a physical departure and a final blessing, requiring the reader to acknowledge Jesus' authoritative exit and the disciples' position as recipients of a completed commission. It demands attention to the spatial and verbal finality of the encounter without adding theological speculation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
Cross-references
- Acts 1:12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near the city, a Sabbath day’s journey away.
- Genesis 49:28 These are the tribes of Israel, twelve in all, and this was what their father said to them. He blessed them, and he blessed each one with a suitable blessing.
- Numbers 6:23 “Tell Aaron and his sons: This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:
- Matthew 21:17 Then He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where He spent the night.
- Mark 11:1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent out two of His disciples
- Genesis 14:18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine—since he was priest of God Most High—
- Genesis 27:4 Then prepare a tasty dish that I love and bring it to me to eat, so that I may bless you before I die.”
- Genesis 48:9 Joseph said to his father, “They are the sons God has given me in this place.” So Jacob said, “Please bring them to me, that I may bless them.”
- Mark 10:16 And He took the children in His arms, placed His hands on them, and blessed them.
- Hebrews 7:5 Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.