Ephesians 4:9

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 to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he captured captives; he gave gifts to men.” Now what is the meaning of “he ascended,” except that he also descended to the lower regions, namely, the earth? 10He, the very one who descended, is also the one who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things. 11It was he who gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,

Ephesians 4:9 word by word

τὸ δὲ ἀνέβη, τί ἐστιν εἰ μὴ ὅτι καὶ κατέβη εἰς τὰ κατώτερα μέρη τῆς γῆς;Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Nowδέde · thenG1161
• he ascendedἀναβαίνωanabainō · to ascendG305
• whatτίςtis · which?G5101
• is itεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• ·εἰei · if: notG1487
• butμήmē · notG3361
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• heκαταβαίνωkatabainō · to come/go downG2597
• alsoκαίkai · andG2532
• firstπρῶτονprōton · firstG4412
• intoεἰςeis · towardG1519
• the lowerκατώτεροςkatōteros · lowerG2737
• partsμέροςmeros · partG3313
• of the earthγῆgē · earth: planetG1093

Cross-references for Ephesians 4:9

• Proverbs 30:4Who has ascended into heaven, and then descended? Who has gathered up the winds in his fists? Who has bound up the waters in his cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son’s name? – if you know!
• John 3:13No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven – the Son of Man.
• John 6:33For the bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
• John 20:17Jesus replied, “Do not touch me, for I have not yet ascended to my Father. Go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
• Acts 2:34For David did not ascend into heaven, but he himself says, ‘The Lord said to my lord, “Sit at my right hand
• Genesis 11:5But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower that the people had started building.
• Exodus 19:20The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, on the top of the mountain, and the Lord summoned Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.
• John 8:14Jesus answered, “Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true, because I know where I came from and where I am going. But you people do not know where I came from or where I am going.
• John 16:27For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.
• Psalms 8:5and make them a little less than the heavenly beings? You grant mankind honor and majesty;
• Psalms 63:9Enemies seek to destroy my life, but they will descend into the depths of the earth.
• Psalms 139:15my bones were not hidden from you, when I was made in secret and sewed together in the depths of the earth.
• Matthew 12:40For just as Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish for three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.
• Hebrews 2:7You made him lower than the angels for a little while. You crowned him with glory and honor.

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

• Jesus, the Christ
• Prophecy

In the dictionaries

• Bitterness
• Compact
• Dark
• Forbear
• Grieve
• Lasciviousness
• Lowliness
• Renew
• Steal
• Descend; Descent

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