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10 Bible Verses About Jesus’ Ascension (KJV)

Ten KJV verses on the ascension of Jesus: what happened at Bethany, why He sat at God’s right hand, and why His leaving was good news for His church.

BIBLE VERSES

3/7/20244 min read

The ascension is the moment, forty days after His resurrection (Acts 1:3), when Jesus was taken up into heaven before His disciples’ eyes. These ten KJV verses show what happened, where He went, and what He is doing now. Together they answer a question many readers never ask: why was it good that He left?

1. Acts 1:9 — taken up in a cloud

“And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.” (Acts 1:9, KJV)

In Scripture a cloud often signals God’s presence, as at Sinai. Luke adds at once that two men in white told the disciples to stop gazing upward: “this same Jesus… shall so come in like manner” (Acts 1:11). The ascension already points to His return.

2. Mark 16:19 — seated at the right hand

“So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.” (Mark 16:19, KJV)

“Sat on the right hand” echoes Psalm 110:1, “Sit thou at my right hand,” the Old Testament verse the New Testament quotes or echoes most often. To sit is to have finished the work; the right hand is the place of authority.

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3. Luke 24:51 — leaving with His hands raised

“And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.” (Luke 24:51, KJV)

The verse before sets the scene at Bethany, where Jesus “lifted up his hands, and blessed them.” Aaron the high priest did the same for Israel (Leviticus 9:22). The last thing the disciples saw was a priest in the act of blessing.

4. Ephesians 4:8 — the King hands out gifts

“Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.” (Ephesians 4:8, KJV)

Paul is quoting Psalm 68:18, where the Lord ascends “on high” as a victor. The psalm says He “received gifts”; Paul shows the risen Christ giving them out to His church.

5. Hebrews 4:14 — through the heavens

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.” (Hebrews 4:14, KJV)

Once a year Israel’s high priest passed through the veil into the most holy place. Jesus has passed “into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us” (Hebrews 9:24). That is why the writer can say: hold on.

6. 1 Peter 3:22 — every power under Him

“Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.” (1 Peter 3:22, KJV)

Peter wrote to Christians facing hostility. The ascension told them that the powers behind their suffering were already “made subject unto him.”

7. Colossians 3:1 — where to look

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” (Colossians 3:1, KJV)

Because Christ is enthroned, Paul says, His people should set their minds there. This is not escapism: the next verses turn straight to anger, lying and how we treat each other.

8. 1 Timothy 3:16 — an early hymn

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” (1 Timothy 3:16, KJV)

Many scholars think these six short lines are an early Christian hymn or creed. It moves from incarnation to ascension: the story of Jesus ends not in a tomb but “received up into glory.”

9. Revelation 12:5 — caught up to the throne

“And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.” (Revelation 12:5, KJV)

Interpreters differ on who the woman is, but the child is widely read as Christ: the “rod of iron” comes from Psalm 2:9. His whole earthly life is compressed into birth and ascension.

10. Revelation 5:12 — the Lamb on the throne

“Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” (Revelation 5:12, KJV)

John sees in the midst of the throne “a Lamb as it had been slain” (Revelation 5:6). The ascended Christ still bears the marks of the cross; heaven worships Him for it.

Why His leaving was good news

It is easy to read the ascension as Jesus going away. He said the opposite:

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” (John 16:7, KJV)

Because He ascended, the Holy Spirit was poured out at Pentecost (Acts 2:33), and Jesus “ever liveth to make intercession” for His people (Hebrews 7:25).

Pray to an ascended Lord

The next time you pray, picture who is listening: not a distant memory, but a living high priest seated at the Father’s right hand. Bring Him one specific need today.