Lexical Summary analémpsis: Ascension, taking up Original Word: ἀνάληψις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance taking up, ascension.From analambano; ascension -- taking up. see GREEK analambano NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom analambanó Definition a taking up NASB Translation ascension (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 354: ἀνάληψιςἀνάληψις (ἀνάλημψις L T Tr WH; see M, μ'), ἀναλήψεως, ἡ (ἀναλαμβάνω) (from Hippocrates down), a taking up: Luke 9:51 (namely, εἰς τόν οὐρανόν of the ascension of Jesus into heaven; (cf. Test. xii. Patr. test. Levi § 18; Suicer, Thesaurus Eccles. under the word; and Meyer on Luke, the passage cited)). Topical Lexicon Meaning and Singular New Testament Occurrence The noun ἀνάλημψις appears once, in Luke 9:51, where it denotes the definitive “taking-up” of Jesus Christ to the Father. “As the day of His ascension approached, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51). The form carries the idea of a completed, upward transfer and frames the remainder of Luke’s Gospel as a deliberate march toward the cross, resurrection, and ultimate exaltation. The Ascension in Lukan Theology Luke alone employs ἀνάλημψις, but he develops the theme of the ascension across both his Gospel and Acts: The singular use of ἀνάλημψις in Luke 9:51 anticipates and unifies these later scenes. Luke presents the ascension not as an epilogue but as the climactic vindication of Christ’s earthly mission and the necessary prelude to the Spirit’s outpouring (Acts 2:33). Old Testament Foreshadowings • Genesis 5:24—“Enoch walked with God, and he was no more, because God took him.” These earlier “takings-up” prefigure the greater, voluntary ascent of the Son of God and affirm the consistency of God’s redemptive pattern across the covenants. Doctrinal Significance of Christ’s Ascension 1. Exaltation and Authority—“He sat down at the right hand of God” (Mark 16:19). The ascension certifies Jesus as enthroned Lord (Psalm 110:1; Acts 2:34-36). Connections with Other New Testament Terms While ἀνάλημψις appears only once, its verbal cognate ἀναλαμβάνω (Strong’s 353) and related descriptions (ἐπαίρω, αρπάζω) underline the same movement heaven-ward (e.g., 1 Timothy 3:16; Acts 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:17). Together they present a unified testimony: what began with Christ’s personal ascension will culminate in the corporate “catching up” of His Church and the final renewal of all things. Historical Reception in the Church From the earliest creeds (“He ascended into heaven”) to the annual celebration of Ascension Day, Christian liturgy treats ἀνάλημψις as an essential article of faith. Church Fathers such as Augustine argued that Christ’s bodily departure secures the believer’s hope of resurrection, while Reformers like Calvin emphasized the ascension’s role in mediating Christ’s kingly and priestly offices. Practical Ministry Implications • Worship—Believers approach God with confidence, knowing the ascended Christ intercedes. Eschatological Anticipation Just as Luke 9:51 linked Jesus’ determination with His impending ἀνάλημψις, so the Epistles link believers’ present obedience with their future glorification: “When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away” (1 Peter 5:4). The once-for-all ascension guarantees the consummate reunion of heaven and earth under Christ’s headship (Ephesians 1:10). Summary Strong’s Greek 354, ἀνάλημψις, though occurring only in Luke 9:51, anchors a sweeping biblical portrait: the ascension of Jesus Christ completes His saving work, inaugurates His heavenly reign, empowers the Church through the Spirit, and pledges the final gathering of the redeemed. Forms and Transliterations αναλημψεως ἀναλήμψεως αναλήψεως analempseos analēmpseōs analḗmpseos analḗmpseōsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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