Once, while he was eating with them, he told them:
Commentaries
1:3 - 1:5
Promise of the Holy Spirit.
Before recounting the history of the Church, Luke shows two stages of preparation for the disciples: one of 40 days during which the risen Jesus interacts with the community, and another, before the coming of the Holy Spirit, where the disciples dedicate themselves to prayer. Between these two stages, he describes Jesus’ Ascension into heaven. The 40-day period symbolizes a time of trial, doubt, discernment, and faith, and the disciples go through such an experience, still confused by the resurrection. Luke stresses that Jesus is alive, risen, and present with them—the same Jesus they followed in his public ministry and who was crucified on a cross. Jesus leaves them with a task and a promise: not to leave Jerusalem, and that they will soon be baptized with the Holy Spirit.
Commentaries
Promise of the Holy Spirit.
Before recounting the history of the Church, Luke shows two stages of preparation for the disciples: one of 40 days during which the risen Jesus interacts with the community, and another, before the coming of the Holy Spirit, where the disciples dedicate themselves to prayer. Between these two stages, he describes Jesus’ Ascension into heaven. The 40-day period symbolizes a time of trial, doubt, discernment, and faith, and the disciples go through such an experience, still confused by the resurrection. Luke stresses that Jesus is alive, risen, and present with them—the same Jesus they followed in his public ministry and who was crucified on a cross. Jesus leaves them with a task and a promise: not to leave Jerusalem, and that they will soon be baptized with the Holy Spirit.