American Standard Version
Ephesians 4:9
9(Now this, He ascended, what is it but that he also descended into the lower parts of the earth?
Ephesians 4:9 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
- New International Version (NIV)(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions?
- English Standard Version (ESV)(In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth?
- New King James Version (NKJV)(Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?
Context of Ephesians 4:9
7But unto each one of us was the grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8Wherefore he saith, When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, And gave gifts unto men. (Now this, He ascended, what is it but that he also descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10He that descended is the same also that ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Read all of Ephesians 4Ephesians 4:9 word by word
τὸ δὲ ἀνέβη, τί ἐστιν εἰ μὴ ὅτι καὶ κατέβη εἰς τὰ κατώτερα μέρη τῆς γῆς;Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Ephesians 4:9
- Proverbs 30:4Who hath ascended up into heaven, and descended? Who hath gathered the wind in his fists? Who hath bound the waters in his garment? Who hath established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou knowest?
- John 3:13And no one hath ascended into heaven, but he that descended out of heaven, even the Son of man, who is in heaven.
- John 6:33For the bread of God is that which cometh down out of heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
- John 20:17Jesus saith to her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended unto the Father: but go unto my brethren, and say to them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and my God and your God.
- Acts 2:34For David ascended not into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
- Genesis 11:5And Jehovah came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
- Exodus 19:20And Jehovah came down upon mount Sinai, to the top of the mount: and Jehovah called Moses to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.
- John 8:14Jesus answered and said unto them, Even if I bear witness of myself, my witness is true; for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye know not whence I come, or whither I go.
- John 16:27for the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came forth from the Father.
- Psalms 8:5For thou hast made him but little lower than God, And crownest him with glory and honor.
- Psalms 63:9But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, Shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
- Psalms 139:15My frame was not hidden from thee, When I was made in secret, And curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
- Matthew 12:40for as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
- Hebrews 2:7Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; Thou crownedst him with glory and honor, And didst set him over the works of thy hands:
Commentaries on Ephesians 4:9
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9But that he also descended - The meaning of the apostle appears to be this: The person who ascended is the Messiah, and his ascension plainly intimates his descension; that is, his incarnation, humiliation, death, and resurrection.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 9Now that he ascended - That is, it is affirmed in the Psalm that he “ascended” - “Thou hast ascended on high.” This implies that there must have been a previous “descent;” or, as applicable to the Messiah, “it is a truth that he previously descended.” It is by no means certain that Paul meant to say that the “word” “ascended” demonstrated that there must have been a previous descent; but he probably means that in the case of Christ there was, “in fact,” a…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 7-16Verses 7-16 Unto every believer is given some gift of grace, for their mutual help. All is given as seems best to Christ to bestow upon every one. He received for them, that he might give to them, a large measure of gifts and graces; particularly the gift of the Holy Ghost. Not a mere head knowledge, or bare acknowledging Christ to be the Son of God, but such as brings trust and obedience. There is a fulness in Christ, and a measure of that fulness given…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 9-10to the lower parts of the earth: This phrase has been understood in several different ways by Bible scholars. Some people have thought this phrase refers to Jesus' tomb after his crucifixion. Others have suggested it means the world of the dead, the place where spirits go after death (compare Matthew 12:40; 1 Peter 3:18–20). Still others have connected it to the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. However, the phrase most likely refers to the…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 99. Paul reasons that (assuming Him to be God) His ascent implies a previous descent; and that the language of the Psalm can only refer to Christ, who first descended, then ascended. For God the Father does not ascend or descend. Yet the Psalm plainly refers to God (Ep 4:8, 17, 18). It must therefore be God the Son (Joh 6:33, 62). As He declares (Joh 3:13), "No man hath ascended up to heaven, but He that came down from heaven." Others, though they did not…Read the comment
Topics related to Ephesians 4:9
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Ephesians 4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
American Standard Version — 1901 — Public Domain
Commentaries