Ephesians 4:9 “What does “He ascended” mean, except that He also descended to the low…”

Ephesians 4:9

What does “He ascended” mean, except that He also descended to the lower parts of the earth?

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

World English Bible

Now this, “He ascended”, what is it but that he also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?

American Standard Version

(Now this, He ascended, what is it but that he also descended into the lower parts of the earth?

Geneva Bible 1599

(Nowe, in that hee ascended, what is it but that he had also descended first into the lowest partes of the earth?

Darby Translation

But that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended into the lower parts of the earth?

Young's Literal Translation

and that, he went up, what is it except that he also went down first to the lower parts of the earth?

Bible in Basic English

(Now this, He went up, what is it but that he first went down into the lower parts of the earth?

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Cross references

“he ascended”

John 3:13 Proverbs 30:4 John 6:33 John 6:62 John 20:17 Acts 2:34–36

John 3:13 · BSB

No one has ascended into heaven except the One who descended from heaven—the Son of Man.

Proverbs 30:4 · BSB

Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has bound up the waters in His cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His Son…

John 6:33 · BSB

For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

John 6:62 · BSB

Then what will happen if you see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before?

John 20:17 · BSB

“Do not cling to Me,” Jesus said, “for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and tell My brothers, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.’”

Acts 2:34–36 · BSB

For David did not ascend into heaven, but he himself says: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand

“he also”

Genesis 11:5 Exodus 19:20 John 6:38 John 6:41 John 6:51 John 6:58

Genesis 11:5 · BSB

Then the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the sons of men were building.

Exodus 19:20 · BSB

The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the summit. So Moses went up,

John 6:38 · BSB

For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.

John 6:41 · BSB

At this, the Jews began to grumble about Jesus because He had said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.”

John 6:51 · BSB

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And this bread, which I will give for the life of the world, is My flesh.”

John 6:58 · BSB

This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your fathers, who ate the manna and died, the one who eats this bread will live forever.”

“the lower”

Matthew 12:40 Psalm 63:9 Psalm 8:5 Psalm 139:15 Hebrews 2:9 Hebrews 2:7

Matthew 12:40 · BSB

For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Psalm 63:9 · BSB

But those who seek my life to destroy it will go into the depths of the earth.

Psalm 8:5 · BSB

You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor.

Psalm 139:15 · BSB

My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

Hebrews 2:9 · BSB

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.

Hebrews 2:7 · BSB

You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor

Also

Isaiah 44:23

Isaiah 44:23 · BSB

Sing for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done this; shout aloud, O depths of the earth. Break forth in song, O mountains, you forests and all your trees. For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, and revealed His glory in Israel…

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

8This is why it says: “When He ascended on high, He led captives away, and gave gifts to men.”

10He who descended is the very One who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things.

Read Ephesians 4