Lexical Summary analambanó: To take up, to receive up, to lift up Original Word: ἀναλαμβάνω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance receive up, take in, take up. From ana and lambano; to take up -- receive up, take (in, unto, up). see GREEK ana see GREEK lambano NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ana and lambanó Definition to take up, raise NASB Translation pick (1), received (1), take (1), take...on board (1), taken (5), taking (1), took (2), took...on board (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 353: ἀναλαμβάνωἀναλαμβάνω; 2 aorist ἀνέλαβον; 1 aorist passive ἀνελήφθην (ἀνελήμφθην L T Tr WH; cf. Winers Grammar, p. 48 (Buttmann, 62 (54); Veitch, (under the word λαμβάνω); see λαμβάνω, and under the word, M, μ')); (from Herodotus down); 1. to take up, raise: εἰς τόν οὐρανόν, Mark 16:19; Acts 1:11; Acts 10:16 (the Sept. 2 Kings 2:11); without case, Acts 1:2, 22; 1 Timothy 3:16 (cf. Winer's Grammar, 413 (385)) (Sir. 48:9). 2. to take up (a thing in order to carry or use it): Acts 7:43; Ephesians 6:13, 16. to take to oneself: τινα, in order to conduct him, Acts 23:31; or as a companion, 2 Timothy 4:11; or in Acts 20:13f, to take up namely, into the ship. Strong’s Greek 353 traces a narrative thread of “taking up” or “receiving up” that runs from Israel’s rebellion (Acts 7:43) to the ascension of Jesus Christ (Mark 16:19) and on into the believer’s daily walk (Ephesians 6:13-16). The verb appears thirteen times, with every context stressing decisive action, whether divine or human, that advances God’s redemptive purposes. The Ascension of Christ Mark 16:19; Acts 1:2, 1:11, 1:22; 1 Timothy 3:16 are the climactic uses. “After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.” (Mark 16:19) Luke’s historiography in Acts anchors the gospel not merely in Jesus’ death and resurrection but in His bodily departure to the Father. The repeated reference in Acts 1 provides apostolic certification, while 1 Timothy 3:16 incorporates the event into an early confessional hymn, presenting the ascension as the crowning proof of the mystery of godliness. The church’s preaching, worship, and eschatological hope all pivot on this “taking up” that guarantees Christ’s present session and future return (Acts 1:11). Spiritual Warfare and Christian Discipline Ephesians 6:13, 6:16 shift the focus from Christ’s exaltation to the believer’s responsibility: “Therefore take up the full armor of God…” (Ephesians 6:13) “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith…” (Ephesians 6:16) Here the verb frames spiritual warfare as an active appropriation. The armor already provided in Christ must be “taken up” each day. Paul’s imperative underscores preparedness; neglect leaves the believer vulnerable when “the day of evil comes.” Pastoral Restoration and Team Ministry Paul employs the verb for interpersonal ministry in 2 Timothy 4:11: “Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me in the ministry.” Once rejected (Acts 15:38-39), John Mark is now to be “taken up” again. The same term used for Christ’s exaltation dignifies the rehabilitation of a servant, teaching that no laborer is beyond recovery when grace intervenes. Travel and Protection in Apostolic Mission Acts 20:13-14 and 23:31 record practical logistics. The companions “took Paul on board,” and soldiers “took Paul” by night to spare his life. Luke shows that mundane actions of boarding a ship or mounting a horse are woven into the sovereign advance of the gospel. God’s mission advances through ordinary “pick-ups” as much as through visions and miracles. Prophetic and Revelatory Contexts Acts 10:16: “This happened three times, and everything was drawn back up into heaven.” Peter’s rooftop vision closes with the sheet “taken up,” linking heavenly revelation and earthly obedience. Acts 7:43 quotes Amos: “You have taken along the tent of Moloch…” Stephen contrasts Israel’s idolatrous “taking up” with God’s intent for true worship, preparing the court for the charge of resisting the One who would later be “taken up” to glory. Theological Synthesis 1. Christological: The verb seals the reality of Jesus’ bodily ascension, securing His present reign and priestly intercession. Practical Ministry Implications • Worship—Celebrate the ascended Lord who now intercedes and will return. In every occurrence, Strong’s 353 presents decisive movement upward or onward, executed by God, angels, soldiers, or saints, but always orchestrated by the sovereign Lord who was Himself “taken up in glory.” Englishman's Concordance Mark 16:19 V-AIP-3SGRK: λαλῆσαι αὐτοῖς ἀνελήμφθη εἰς τὸν NAS: had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven KJV: unto them, he was received up into INT: speaking to them was taken up into the Acts 1:2 V-AIP-3S Acts 1:11 V-APP-NMS Acts 1:22 V-AIP-3S Acts 7:43 V-AIA-2P Acts 10:16 V-AIP-3S Acts 20:13 V-PNA Acts 20:14 V-APA-NMP Acts 23:31 V-APA-NMP Ephesians 6:13 V-AMA-2P Ephesians 6:16 V-APA-NMP 1 Timothy 3:16 V-AIP-3S 2 Timothy 4:11 V-APA-NMS Strong's Greek 353 |
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