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 every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8Therefore he saith, When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10He that descended is the same also that ascended far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, 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

• Nowδέde · thenG1161
• ascendedἀναβαίνωanabainō · to ascendG305
• whatτίςtis · which?G5101
• itἐστίesti · he isG2076
• butεἰ μήei mē · exceptG1508
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• heκαταβαίνωkatabainō · to come/go downG2597
• alsoκαίkai · andG2532
• firstπρῶτονprōton · firstG4412
• intoεἰςeis · towardG1519
• lowerκατώτεροςkatōteros · lowerG2737
• partsμέροςmeros · partG3313
• earthγῆgē · earth: planetG1093

Cross-references for Ephesians 4:9

• Proverbs 30:4Who hath ascended into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?
• John 3:13And no man hath ascended to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man who is in heaven.
• John 6:33For the bread of God is he who cometh down from heaven, and giveth life to the world.
• John 20:17Jesus saith to her, Touch me not; for I have not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say to them, I ascend to my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
• Acts 2:34For David did not ascend into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
• Genesis 11:5And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men were building.
• Exodus 19:20And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.
• John 8:14Jesus answered and said to them, Though I witness concerning myself, yet my witness is true: for I know from where I came, and where I go; but ye cannot tell from where I come, and where I go.
• John 16:27For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came from God.
• Psalms 8:5For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
• Psalms 63:9But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
• Psalms 139:15My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and skilfully formed in the lowest parts of the earth.
• Matthew 12:40For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish 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 didst crown him with glory and honour, 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

• 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