[Greek] ἀναφέρω (anapherō), [Latin] offere, [Latin] ascendere: to carry up, to lead up, to bear, take up, to offer; Mt.17:1, Mk.9:2, Lk.24:51, Heb.7:27, Heb.9:28, Heb.13:15, Jas.2:21, 1Pet.2:5,24
The Ascension: painting by Benjamin West (1801)
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to bring, to raise up, to take up, to offer in sacrifice, to take on oneself, to bear (endure), and to lead up.
Herodotus’ The Histories 8.32: “It was there that they carried their goods and themselves ascended to it.”
Thucydides’ The Peloponnesian War 3.38.3: “In such contests, the state gives the rewards to others; and takes the dangers for herself.”
Aeschylus’ Libation Bearers 447: “I gave free vent to my streaming tears, which came more readily than laughter, as in my concealment I poured out my lament.”
Aeschylus’ Libation Bearers 841: “To lay this too upon our house would be a fearful burden when it is still festering and galled by the wound inflicted by an earlier murder.”
Xenophon’s Symposium 8.30: “It was not his person but his spiritual character that influenced Zeus to carry him up to Olympus.”
Herodotus’ The Histories 6.30: “Now if he had been taken prisoner and brought to the king, he would have suffered no harm, and the king would have forgiven his guilt.”
Old Testament: This term, related to several Hebrew terms, conveys the sense of offering. This term can mean to make a sin offering, to purify, to bring, to bear, to carry, to ascend, to come up, to burn, and to sacrifice.
New Testament: This term means to take up (to be taken), to lead up, to carry up, to offer up, and to bear.
Scripture:
Mt.17:1: “After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.” (The Transfiguration confers that Jesus is the Son of God who will come in His Father’s glory at the end of the age.)
Lk.24:51: “As He blessed them, He parted from them and was taken up to heaven.”
- Luke ends his gospel with Jesus’ ascension.
- Luke historicizes Jesus’ ascension following forty days after Jesus’ resurrection.
- The Ascension marks the end of the time of Jesus and the beginning of the Church.
- Jesus states that the disciples will receive power from the Holy Spirit.
- Jesus is then lifted up, taken up by a cloud into heaven.
Heb.7:27: “He has no need, as did the high priests, to offer sacrifice day after day, first for own sins and then for those of the people; He did that once and for all when He offered Himself.” (Jesus supplants the Old Testament need for a high priest to offer sacrifices for himself and others. Jesus, the High Priest, offers Himself and bears the sins Himself the sins of many.)
Heb.9:28: “So also Christ, offered once to take away the sins of many, will appear to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him.” (Jesus took away sin by bearing it Himself. Jesus will appear a second time at the parousia, as the High Priest emerging from the Holy of Holies.)
What is the significance of Jesus’ Ascension?
- It leads to the beginning of the Church.
- It completes Jesus’ work on earth.
- Jesus opens the way to heaven for us.
- The Church’s mission begins. Jesus promises the Holy Spirit will guide and empower His followers to make disciples of all nations.
Etymology: This Greek term means to carry (-phero) again (ana-). Other meanings include to carry again or to carry back.
Conclusion:
Offer, offering, ascend, ascension
It was quite interesting to discover the many uses (meanings) of this term in the Greek Hellenistic era. Some of the more nuanced meanings include recalling, reporting back, appealing, and recovering. Xenophon makes reference to carrying up to Mt. Olympus. Aeschylus makes reference to pouring out one’s lament.
In the Old Testament culture, there are many related Hebrew terms. Bringing up, purifying, bearing, offering up all pertain to sacrifices.
As this post is rather short, so I will no longer take up any more of your time. ☺☺☺