Ephesians 4:8

Unity in the Body

7Now to each one of us grace has been given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8This is why it says: “When He ascended on high, He led captives away, and gave gifts to men.”

  • Scripture
  • Sermons
  • Commentary
Berean Standard Bible
This is why it says: “When He ascended on high, He led captives away, and gave gifts to men.”
American Standard Version (1901)
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, And gave gifts unto men.
Bible in Basic English
For this reason he says, He went up on high, taking his prisoners with him, and gave freely to men.
Douay-Rheims 1899
Wherefore he saith: Ascending on high, he led captivity captive; he gave gifts to men.
Free Bible Version
As Scripture says, “When he ascended to the heights he took captives with him, and gave gifts to humanity.”
Geneva Bible 1599
Wherfore he saith, Whe he asceded vp on hie, he led captiuity captiue, and gaue gifts vnto men.
King James (Authorized) Version
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Plain English Version
A long time ago, God got one of his men to write this in his book, “He went up to the highest place, and he made lots of prisoners follow him. And he gave gifts to people.”
Translation for Translators
When Christ gave gifts to his people, it was similar to what the Psalmist said about God receiving tribute money from those whom he had conquered, When he ascended to heaven, he gave as gifts to people the things that he had taken from the people whom he captured:
Unlocked Literal Bible
It is as scripture says: “When he ascended to the heights, he led the captives into captivity, and he gave gifts to the people.”
Noah Webster Bible
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.
World English Bible
Therefore he says, “When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to people.”
Young's Literal Translation
wherefore, he saith, 'Having gone up on high he led captive captivity, and gave gifts to men,' —