Acts 1:9

When he had spoken. See on Luke 24:50.

While they beheld. No believer had seen the Saviour rise from the dead, but the eleven disciples and the mother of Jesus (EW 191) were permitted to see Him ascend to heaven. Thus they became reliable witnesses to the fact of the ascension.

Taken up. Here the ascension is related as a simple historical fact. Hereafter in the NT it is not often mentioned, but it is implicitly accepted as a cardinal truth of historical Christianity. It had been foretold by Jesus (John 6:62). The event was again related by Peter (Acts 3:21), and was later referred to by Paul (1 Tim. 3:16).

The ascension was a fitting climax to Christ’s ministry on earth. Our Saviour had descended from heaven to effect man’s salvation (John 3:13, 16). When His earthly work was finished, He planned to return to His heavenly home (John 14:2), to mediate for man (1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 7:25; 8:1, 2, 6; 1 John 2:1) until His second coming (John 14:3).

A cloud. This cloud was an angelic host (see DA 831). Christ’s return will likewise be “with clouds” (Matt. 24:30; 26:64; Rev. 1:7). Vast companies of angels will accompany their Lord when He appears in glory (Matt. 25:31). He will “so come in like manner” (Acts 1:11).

Out of their sight. Literally, “away from their eyes.”