Ascension controversy
The Ascension controversy relates how a physical ascension occurred, although "ascension", with its connotation of physically rising, is probably not the most precise English translation of the terms used. Indeed, a visit to heaven apparently occurred more than once, contrary to liberal denial about the statement in Hebrews 9:12 -- possibly spoken by Jesus himself on the Road to Emmaus[1]-- that Jesus entered heaven with the sacrifice of his blood prior to returning to visit the Apostles.
Further controversy concerns whether "ascended" is the most precise English term for entering heaven, as "ascended" overly physical in connotation that unnecessarily distorts and also is an obstacle to non-believers.
Biblical discussion
The ascension of Jesus was a physical one as recounted by Luke at Luke 24:50-51 and Acts 1:9-11 . However, it is debated how that physically occurred, as to whether it was an actual ascension into the sky, or a direct entry into the kingdom of God similar to what was described at the end of the encounter on the Road to Emmaus.
John 3:13 refers to it has having occurred even before the Resurrection:
| “ | No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. | ” |
The Greek term used there by John is ἀναβαίνω (anabainó), which is often used as a physical ascending but can also mean "come to" or "report to" without physically rising. Luke uses a different Greek term as discussed below.
Gospel of Luke
The Gospel of Luke description (ESV):
| “ | And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. | ” |
Better translation
"was carried up into heaven" imprecisely conveys a physical lifting to the sky, when in fact the "heaven" is the kingdom of God, and "carried up into" is the figurative term meaning offered "up" to a goal, as in a sacrifice.[2] The Epistle to the Hebrews uses the same Greek term four times, not in the sense of physically lifting up, but terms of attaining a goal as in offering up a sacrifice.
A better translation would be "was taken into eternity", or "was taken into heaven."
Acts of the Apostles
The Acts of the Apostles account:
| “ | And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven. | ” |
Translation issue
This is commonly interpreted as a physical ascension into a cloud in the sky, but is not necessarily so viewed. The two key terms here are the Greek words translaated as "cloud" and "taken up," and both have more figurative meanings. It could be describing Jesus taken into heaven, rather than ascending to the physical sky.
ἀναλαμβάνω (analambanó) in verse 11 is a verb often translated as "to take up, raise," but in fact it also means "take on board, carry off, or lead away."[3] Jesus could have been taken into heaven, in line with his becoming hidden in the account of the Road to Emmaus.
As to the Greek term for "cloud", Hebrews 12:1 uses the same Greek root for "cloud" in a more figurative sense as a "cloud of witnesses."[4]
Gospel of John
John 20:17 refers an ascension that will occur, though not necessarily as described by Luke:
| “ | Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” | ” |
John 3:13 refers to an ascension into heaven that had already occurred prior to Jesus's ministry.
Other Biblical references
Additional Biblical references are at:
- John 6:63 (Jesus prophesizing His ascension)
- Ephesians 4:8-10
- Timothy 3:16
- Epistle to the Hebrews
Other early writers
Only Luke authentically discusses the Ascension among the very early Christian writers. (The reference at the end of the Gospel of Mark, Mark 16:19 , is considered to be a later addition.) Paul makes no mention of the Ascension by Jesus.