Barnes New Testament Notes

Verse 10. Looked steadfastly. They fixed their eyes, or gazed intently toward heaven. Lu 4:20, "And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened (Greek, the same word as here) on him." It means the intense gaze when we are deeply interested, and wish to see clearly and distinctly. Here, they were amazed and confounded; the thing was unlooked-for; and they were even then inquiring whether he would not restore the kingdom to Israel. With this mingled amazement, and disappointment, and curiosity; and with the earnest desire to catch the last glimpse of their beloved Master, they naturally continued to gaze on the distant clouds where he had mysteriously disappeared from their view. Never was a scene more impressive, grand, and solemn than this.

Toward heaven. Toward the distant clouds or sky which had received him.

As he went up. Literally, "The ascending, or going up." Doubtless they continued to gaze after he had departed from their view.

Two men. From the raiment of these "men" and the nature of their message, it seems clear that they were angelic beings, who were sent to meet and comfort the disciples on this occasion. They appeared in human form, and Luke describes them as they appeared. Angels are not unfrequently called men. Lu 24:4, "Two men stood by them in shining garments," etc. Comp. Joh 20:12; Mt 28:5. As two angels are mentioned only as addressing the apostles after the resurrection of Jesus, (Joh 20:12; Lu 24:4) it is no unnatural supposition that these were the same who had been designated to the honourable office of bearing witness to his resurrection, and of giving them all the information about that resurrection, and of his ascension, which their circumstances needed.

In white apparel. Angels are commonly represented as clothed in white. See Barnes "Joh 20:12; See Barnes "Mt 28:3; See Barnes "Mr 16:5".

It is an emblem of purity; and the worshippers of heaven are represented as clothed in this manner. Re 3:4, "They shall walk with me in white;" Re 3:5, "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment " Re 4:4; 7:9,13,14.

{*} "steadfastly" or, "earnestly" {a} "two men" Joh 20:12