Barnes New Testament Notes

Verse 12. Then returned they unto Jerusalem. In Lu 24:52, we are told that they worshipped Jesus before they returned. And it is probable that the act of worship to which he refers, was that which is mentioned in this chapter -- their gazing intently on their departing Lord.

From the mount called Olivet. From the Mount of Olives. See Barnes "Mt 21:1".

The part of the mountain from which he ascended was the eastern declivity, where stood the little village of Bethany, Lu 24:50.

A sabbath day's journey. As far as might be lawfully travelled by a Jew on the Sabbath. This was two thousand paces or cubits; or seven furlongs and a half -- not quite one mile. See Barnes "Mt 24:20".

The distance of a lawful journey on the Sabbath was not determined by the laws of Moses, but the Jewish teachers had fixed it at two thousand paces. This measure was determined on because it was a tradition, that in the camp of the Israelites when coming from Egypt, no part of the camp was more than two thousand paces from the tabernacle; and over this space, therefore, they were permitted to travel for worship. Perhaps, also, some countenance was given to this from the fact that this was the extent of the suburbs of the Levitical cities, Nu 35:5. Mount Olivet was but five furlongs from Jerusalem, and Bethany was fifteen furlongs. But on the eastern declivity of the mountain the tract of country was called, for a considerable space, the region of Bethany; and it was from this place that the Lord Jesus ascended.

{d} "Then returned they" Lu 24:52.