Acts 1 10

The following academic exegesis transforms an email discussion from a b-greek list into a structured scholarly analysis of Acts 1:10.

An Exegetical Analysis of Acts 1:10: The Grammatical Function of πορευομένου αὐτοῦ

This exegetical study of Acts 1:10 is based on a b-greek discussion from Tue May 11 06:30:28 EDT 1999. The initial inquiry posed a question regarding the grammatical construction of πορευομένου αὐτοῦ in Acts 1:10. Standard translations often render this as a genitive absolute with a temporal connotation, such as “as He went up.” However, the presence of an existing temporal expression, ὡς ἀτενίζοντες, led to a perception of awkwardness or redundancy. The original question explored whether πορευομένου αὐτοῦ could instead function as a genitive of apposition or epexegesis, clarifying the phrase εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν, potentially translating to “As they stood gazing into the heaven where he was going.”

The main exegetical issue at hand is the precise grammatical function and semantic force of the genitive participle phrase πορευομένου αὐτοῦ within the broader clause καὶ ὡς ἀτενίζοντες ἦσαν εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν πορευομένου αὐτοῦ. Specifically, the discussion probes whether this phrase is strictly a temporal genitive absolute, a causal genitive absolute, or if an appositional/epexegetical reading is grammatically viable. The debate also touches on how different interpretations impact the overall rhetorical emphasis and perceived flow of Luke’s narrative, particularly regarding the potential for “double” temporal expressions.

καὶ ὡς ἀτενίζοντες ἦσαν εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν πορευομένου αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἰδοὺ ἄνδρες δύο παρειστήκεισαν αὐτοῖς ἐν ἐσθῆτι λευκῇ,

(Nestle 1904)

Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):

• The SBLGNT (2010) renders the initial καὶ with a capital K: Καὶ. This is a stylistic difference and does not affect the meaning or grammatical analysis of the verse.
• No other substantive textual variants concerning the phrase πορευομένου αὐτοῦ are present between Nestle 1904 and SBLGNT 2010 that would impact the grammatical discussion. The stability of the text in this regard underscores that the interpretive challenge lies in grammatical analysis rather than textual uncertainty.

Textual Criticism (NA28) and Lexical Notes (BDAG)

A review of the NA28 critical apparatus for Acts 1:10 reveals no significant textual variants concerning the phrase πορευομένου αὐτοῦ. The construction is consistently attested across major manuscript traditions, thus confirming its presence and form as presented in the Nestle 1904 text. This textual stability allows exegetes to focus solely on the grammatical and semantic interpretation of the phrase rather than on manuscript divergences.

Lexically, the key terms contribute to understanding the scene:

• ἀτενίζω (BDAG, s.v.): This verb means “to fix one’s gaze,” “stare,” or “look intently at.” In Acts 1:10, combined with εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν (“into heaven”), it vividly portrays the disciples’ rapt attention as they watch Jesus’ departure. The imperfect tense of ἦσαν with the participle ἀτενίζοντες suggests a continuous action in the past: “they were intently gazing.”
• πορεύομαι (BDAG, s.v.): Meaning “to go,” “proceed,” or “travel.” The present participle πορευομένου in the genitive absolute construction indicates an ongoing action. While it primarily denotes motion, its context here, particularly following εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν, strongly implies an upward movement, i.e., ascension.
• αὐτοῦ: The genitive masculine singular pronoun refers to Jesus.

The core of the discussion lies in the syntactical relationship between the primary clause, particularly the continuous action of “gazing into heaven,” and the genitive absolute πορευομένου αὐτοῦ. While the lexical meanings are straightforward, their combined grammatical structure invites deeper analysis into the precise nature of the temporal or causal link.

Translation Variants with Grammatical & Rhetorical Analysis

The phrase πορευομένου αὐτοῦ (“he going” or “as he went”) presents a classic instance of a genitive absolute, a participial construction typically expressing attendant circumstances, often temporal or causal, to the main clause. The debate in the discussion centers on whether its primary force here is temporal or causal, and the possibility of an appositional sense.

1. Genitive Absolute (Temporal): The most common interpretation understands πορευομένου αὐτοῦ as a temporal genitive absolute, meaning “while he was going up” or “as he was ascending.”
   • Grammatical Analysis: This construction is syntactically sound, as the subject of the genitive absolute (Jesus, implied by αὐτοῦ) is different from the subject of the main clause (the disciples, implied by ἀτενίζοντες). The present participle typically indicates an action contemporaneous with the main verb.
   • Rhetorical Analysis: Some participants found this interpretation potentially “awkward” or “clumsy” due to the preceding temporal expression ὡς ἀτενίζοντες (“as they were gazing”). This might suggest a perceived redundancy: “As they were gazing… as he was going.” However, such “double” temporal expressions are not uncommon in Greek, often serving to emphasize the simultaneity and the duration of both actions. The disciples’ intense, continuous gaze (ἀτενίζοντες ἦσαν) is explicitly linked to the ongoing process of Jesus’ ascension (πορευομένου αὐτοῦ).
2. Genitive Absolute (Causal/Explanatory): A significant alternative interpretation, gaining traction within the discussion, proposes a causal or explanatory force for the genitive absolute: “because he was going up” or “on account of his going up.”
   • Grammatical Analysis: Genitive absolutes frequently carry causal implications, providing the reason for the action in the main clause. This is grammatically permissible.
   • Rhetorical Analysis: This interpretation offers a compelling resolution to the perceived awkwardness of temporal redundancy. Instead of two parallel temporal clauses, one explains the other: the *reason* the disciples were gazing intently into the sky was *because* Jesus was departing/ascending. This provides a clear logical connection between their action and his. It emphasizes the disciples’ motivation for their gaze. As one participant noted, the content of πορευομένου αὐτοῦ “is not really temporal so much as it is explanatory of the reason why the disciples were gazing skywards.”
3. Genitive of Apposition/Epexegesis (Rejected): The initial query explored the possibility of πορευομένου αὐτοῦ functioning as an epexegetical genitive (or “genitive of apposition”), defining or further identifying τὸν οὐρανόν, rendering it as “the heaven, namely his going” or “the heaven where he was going.”
   • Grammatical Analysis: This interpretation was largely rejected by the consensus in the discussion. A true genitive of apposition or epexegesis (as illustrated by 2 Cor 5:5, τὸν ἀρραβῶνα τοῦ πνεύματος – “the down payment, namely the Spirit”) typically involves a substantive (often abstract) defining another substantive, or it requires an article for the participial phrase if it were to function adjectivally to the noun (e.g., τοῦ πορευομένου αὐτοῦ modifying οὐρανόν). In Acts 1:10, πορευομένου αὐτοῦ is a verbal phrase describing an action, not a noun defining “heaven.” Furthermore, the absence of the article before πορευομένου αὐτοῦ strongly suggests it is not adjectival to τὸν οὐρανόν.
   • Rhetorical Analysis: While the semantic desire to connect Jesus’ going to the heaven they were gazing into is understandable, the grammatical structure does not support this appositional reading. The genitive absolute is syntactically detached from the main clause, governing its own subject (Jesus).

Conclusions and Translation Suggestions

Based on the grammatical analysis and the arguments presented in the discussion, the most robust interpretation of πορευομένου αὐτοῦ in Acts 1:10 is as a genitive absolute. While a temporal reading is grammatically viable, the causal or explanatory nuance is rhetorically stronger, resolving any perceived redundancy and providing a clearer logical flow for the disciples’ intense observation. The proposed “genitive of apposition” lacks sufficient grammatical support.

Considering these points, the following translation suggestions capture the nuanced meaning:

1. “And as they were gazing intently into the sky while he was going up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel,”
   
   This translation prioritizes the temporal simultaneity of both actions, acknowledging potential perceived redundancy but maintaining a literal rendering of the genitive absolute.
2. “And as they stood gazing intently into the sky, because he was ascending, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel,”
   
   This option highlights the causal or explanatory force, clarifying the reason for their intense gaze and providing a more dynamic and logical connection between the clauses.
3. “And while they remained fixedly staring into heaven during his ascent, suddenly, two men stood beside them in white clothing,”
   
   This rendering emphasizes the duration and continuous nature of both the disciples’ gaze and Jesus’ ongoing ascension, offering a slightly more nuanced temporal-explanatory blend.