This is why it says:
This phrase introduces a quotation from the Old Testament, specifically Psalm 68:18. The Apostle Paul often uses Old Testament references to connect the teachings of Christ with the Hebrew Scriptures, showing continuity in God's plan. This method of teaching was common in Jewish tradition, where rabbis would cite scripture to support their teachings.

“When He ascended on high:
The imagery of ascending on high is often associated with victory and triumph. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a king or military leader would ascend to a high place after a victory, symbolizing authority and dominion. This phrase is understood to refer to Christ's ascension into heaven after His resurrection, signifying His victory over sin and death. It echoes the ascension of a victorious king returning from battle.

He led captives away:
This part of the verse suggests a triumphal procession, where a victorious leader would lead captives as a demonstration of their conquest. In the context of Ephesians, it is interpreted as Christ leading spiritual captives—those who were once bound by sin and death—into freedom. This imagery is consistent with the Roman practice of triumphal processions, where captives were paraded as a sign of victory.

and gave gifts to men.”
The giving of gifts is a reference to the distribution of spiritual gifts to the church. In ancient times, a victorious king would distribute spoils or gifts to his people. Here, it signifies the spiritual gifts given by Christ to believers, empowering them for service and building up the body of Christ. This concept is further elaborated in the subsequent verses of Ephesians 4, where Paul discusses the various gifts and roles within the church.

1. Paul the Apostle
The author of the letter to the Ephesians, Paul is writing to the church in Ephesus to encourage unity and maturity in the faith.

2. Jesus Christ
The one who ascended on high, leading captives and giving gifts to men, fulfilling the prophecy and demonstrating His victory over sin and death.

3. Ephesus
A major city in Asia Minor where the early church was established. It was known for its diverse culture and the Temple of Artemis.

4. Old Testament Reference
Paul is quoting Psalm 68:18, which speaks of God’s triumph and the giving of gifts, now applied to Christ’s ascension.

5. Ascension
The event of Jesus Christ ascending to heaven after His resurrection, marking His exaltation and the beginning of His heavenly ministry.Christ’s Victory and Authority
Jesus’ ascension signifies His victory over sin, death, and the spiritual forces of evil. Believers can live in the confidence of His authority and triumph.

The Giving of Gifts
Christ’s ascension resulted in the distribution of spiritual gifts to His followers. Each believer is equipped for service and building up the body of Christ.

Unity in Diversity
The gifts given by Christ are diverse, yet they are meant to unify the church. Embrace and celebrate the different gifts within the body of Christ.

Living in the Power of the Ascended Christ
As followers of Christ, we are called to live in the power and authority of the ascended Lord, participating in His mission on earth.

The Call to Maturity
The gifts are given to help believers grow into maturity, reflecting the fullness of Christ. Pursue spiritual growth and maturity in your walk with God.(8) Wherefore he saith.--The reference is to Psalms 68--a psalm which (as the quotation from Numbers 10:35, in the first verse, shows) is a psalm celebrating some moving of the ark, traditionally (and most probably) connected with David's bringing up of the ark (2 Samuel 6) to Mount Zion. The very change from the second person to the third person shows it to be a free quotation; and this is made far more evident by the remarkable variation from the text of the original, which runs, Thou receivedst gifts in man--i.e., probably, "among men;" and adds, "even the rebellious, that the Lord God might dwell among them"--a clause which (from Ephesians 4:29-31) we may suppose to refer to the homage of the heathen to the Lord Jehovah. Now, it has been noted that the word "received" is used constantly for "receiving," or "fetching," for another (Genesis 15:9; Genesis 18:5; Genesis 27:13, et al.); and it appears that the Chaldee Targum actually has here, as a gloss: "Thou hast given gifts to the sons of men," interpreting the words, curiously enough, of Moses as a mediator between God and man. The psalm also was recognised as a Messianic psalm, foreshadowing the dwelling of "God with us" in the universal kingdom of the true Mediator. St. Paul accordingly uses it with a bold variation suiting his context. The key to this use is found in the truth enunciated of our Lord in Acts 2:33, that "being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He hath shed forth this." Our Lord, as the Head of humanity, receives only in order to give. From the means, therefore, the Apostle passes to the end. . . . Verse 8. - Wherefore he saith, When he ascended on high he led captivity captive, and received gifts for men. The speaker is God, the author of Scripture, and the place is the sixty-eighth psalm. That psalm is a psalm of triumph, where the placing of the ark on Zion is celebrated as if it had been a great victory. As this quotation shows, the psalm in its deepest sense is Messianic, celebrating the victory of Christ. The substance rather than the words of the passage are given, for the second person ("thou hast ascended," etc.) is changed into the third; and whereas in the psalm it is said, "gave gifts to men," as modified by the apostle it is said, "received gifts for men." As in a literal triumph, the chiefs of the enemy's army are led captive, so the powers of darkness were led captive by Christ (captivity, αἰχμαλωσία, denotes prisoners); and as on occasion of a triumph the spoils of the enemy are made over to the conqueror, who again gives them away among the soldiers and people, so gifts were given to Christ after his triumph to be given by him to his Church. We must not force the analogy too far: the point is simply this - as a conqueror at a triumph gets gifts to distribute, so Christ, on his resurrection and ascension, got the Holy Spirit to bestow on his Church (comp. Ephesians 1:22).

Parallel Commentaries ...


This is why
διὸ (dio)
Conjunction
Strong's 1352: Wherefore, on which account, therefore. From dia and hos; through which thing, i.e. Consequently.

it says:
λέγει (legei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

“When He ascended
Ἀναβὰς (Anabas)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 305: To go up, mount, ascend; of things: I rise, spring up, come up. From ana and the base of basis; to go up.

on
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

high,
ὕψος (hypsos)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5311: Height, heaven; dignity, eminence. From a derivative of huper; elevation, i.e. altitude, the sky, or dignity.

He led
ᾐχμαλώτευσεν (ēchmalōteusen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 162: To take captive, captivate. From aichmalotos; to capture.

captives away,
αἰχμαλωσίαν (aichmalōsian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 161: Captivity; a captive multitude. From aichmalotos; captivity.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

gave
ἔδωκεν (edōken)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.

gifts
δόματα (domata)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1390: A gift, present. From the base of didomi; a present.

to men.”
ἀνθρώποις (anthrōpois)
Noun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.


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NT Letters: Ephesians 4:8 Therefore he says When he ascended (Ephes. Eph. Ep)