MARK 16:19-20
THE ASCENSION OF JESUS
BRIEF INTERPRETATION
Text – Mark 16:19–20
19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God.
20 But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.
Historical and Jewish Context
Following His Resurrection and final instructions to the apostles, Jesus was taken up into heaven, signifying the completion of His earthly mission and His return to divine glory. The expression “at the right hand of God” was a familiar Jewish phrase meaning a place of power, honor, and participation in God’s authority (cf. Psalm 110:1). By this exaltation, Jesus is revealed as the true Messiah and eternal High Priest who intercedes for humanity. The apostles, transformed from fearful followers into bold witnesses, began to fulfill the Great Commission by preaching throughout the known world. The miraculous signs accompanying their ministry—healings, exorcisms, and conversions—demonstrated the continued presence and power of the risen Lord working through His Church. This brief conclusion of Mark’s Gospel bridges the earthly life of Jesus and the ongoing mission of His disciples under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Catholic Theological Perspective
The Ascension marks not Christ’s absence but His glorified presence. Theologically, it signifies His enthronement as King and High Priest, and His continued work of mediation between God and humanity (CCC 659–667). His being “taken up” fulfills the promise that the Son of Man would return to the Father after completing His saving work (John 16:28). Seated at the right hand of God, He reigns as the head of the Church, directing and sustaining her mission through the Holy Spirit. The statement that the Lord “worked with them” affirms that evangelization is always a cooperative act between divine grace and human effort. The Church, as the mystical Body of Christ, continues His mission of redemption in the world. The signs that confirmed the apostles’ preaching express not merely miracles but the transformative power of faith, sacraments, and holiness manifest in every generation.
Parallels in Scripture
Luke 24:50–53 – Jesus blesses His disciples and is carried up to heaven.
Acts 1:6–11 – Full account of the Ascension and the angelic promise of His return.
Ephesians 1:20–23 – Christ seated at God’s right hand, head over all things for the Church.
Hebrews 7:25 – Jesus “lives forever to make intercession” for His people.
Matthew 28:20 – “I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Key Terms
Ascension – Christ’s exaltation to the Father’s glory after His Resurrection.
Right Hand of God – Symbol of divine authority, kingship, and participation in the Father’s power.
Signs – Visible manifestations of God’s power confirming the truth of the Gospel.
Catholic Liturgical Significance
This passage forms the heart of the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, celebrated forty days after Easter. It marks the culmination of Christ’s Paschal Mystery and the anticipation of Pentecost, when the Spirit empowers the Church for mission. During the Easter season, the Church proclaims this mystery as the assurance that Christ’s humanity now shares in divine glory and that He remains present in Word, Sacrament, and community. Every Eucharist is both a remembrance of Christ’s Ascension and a participation in His heavenly intercession, as the faithful unite their worship with the eternal praise of the risen Lord.
Conclusion
The Gospel of Mark concludes with triumph and mission. The risen and ascended Christ reigns in glory, yet continues to work with His Church on earth. His return to the Father is not an end but a new beginning—an assurance that He remains forever with His followers, guiding their efforts and confirming their faith. The Church’s task to “preach everywhere” is sustained by His presence and the power of the Holy Spirit until the day of His return.
Reflection
Christ’s Ascension reminds us that our faith is not confined to the past but directed toward eternity. The Lord who ascended now reigns within His Church and within every heart open to grace. Our mission continues His—bringing the Gospel to all creation and witnessing that Christ lives and reigns forever. In every act of love, healing, and truth, the risen Lord “works with us.”
Prayer
Glorious Lord Jesus, You ascended to the Father to prepare a place for us and to reign in eternal majesty. Stay with Your Church as we proclaim Your Gospel to the world. Strengthen our faith, confirm our mission, and guide us by Your Spirit until we share in the joy of Your heavenly kingdom. Amen.
DETAILED INTERPRETATION
INTRODUCTION
Mark 16:19–20 concludes the Gospel with the Ascension of Jesus and the mission of the Church. In Jewish belief, being taken up into heaven signified divine approval and exaltation, as seen in figures like Elijah. Jesus’ ascension to the right hand of God affirms His divine authority and the completion of His earthly mission. Having conquered sin and death, He now reigns in glory, not absent from His disciples, but present in a new and powerful way.
Historically, this passage reflects the lived faith of the early Church. The disciples, once fearful and uncertain, now go forth boldly to proclaim the Gospel. Their preaching is not based on their own strength, but on the Lord working with them. The signs that accompany their mission confirm that the risen and ascended Christ remains actively involved in the life of the Church.
Mark 16:19 — “So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.”
This verse proclaims the glorious culmination of Jesus’ earthly mission. After teaching, correcting, commissioning, and empowering His disciples, the Lord Jesus is taken up into heaven. The Ascension is not a departure of absence, but a transition to a new mode of presence and authority.
To be “taken up” signifies divine action. Jesus returns to the Father not as a spirit alone, but as the risen and glorified Son who has conquered sin and death. Sitting “at the right hand of God” is a biblical image of supreme authority, honor, and participation in divine rule. The One who was mocked, scourged, and crucified now reigns in glory.
This verse teaches that the story of Jesus does not end at the Resurrection—it is completed in exaltation. Christ’s Ascension assures believers that humanity now has a place in heaven. Where He has gone, we are called to follow.
Historical and Jewish Context
In Jewish Scripture, being seated at the right hand symbolizes sharing in royal authority (cf. Ps 110:1).
Ascension language was used to describe divine vindication and exaltation, especially after suffering and humiliation.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic perspective, this verse affirms the doctrine of the Ascension. The Church teaches that Christ’s Ascension inaugurates His eternal kingship and priestly intercession for humanity (CCC 659–664).
Spiritually, the Ascension directs the Church’s gaze upward while anchoring its mission on earth. Christ reigns in heaven while remaining active through His Body, the Church.
Key Terms
Lord Jesus — divine authority
Taken up — Ascension
Heaven — divine glory
Right hand of God — supreme authority
Conclusion
Mark 16:19 reveals the exaltation of Christ. The suffering Servant is enthroned as Lord. From heaven, He reigns not in distance, but in power, mercy, and intercession.
Reflection
Do I live with confidence that Christ reigns in glory and intercedes for me? How does the Ascension shape my hope and mission on earth?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, ascended in glory, lift my heart to heaven even as my feet walk the earth. Help me to live with hope, courage, and faith, knowing that You reign at the right hand of the Father and guide Your Church in love. Amen.
Mark 16:20 — “And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it.”
This final verse of the Gospel of Mark brings the narrative to a powerful and hope-filled conclusion. The disciples, once fearful, doubtful, and scattered, now go forth. Obedience replaces hesitation, and mission replaces fear. The Resurrection and Ascension have transformed them.
Crucially, the mission is not theirs alone. “The Lord worked with them.” Though ascended into heaven, Christ remains actively present. The Church does not act independently; it acts in communion with the living Lord. The success of the mission does not depend on human skill, but on divine cooperation.
The signs that “confirmed the message” are not ends in themselves. They authenticate the Gospel, revealing that the same Jesus who taught, healed, and saved during His earthly ministry continues His work through His Church.
This verse teaches that Christian mission is always collaborative: human obedience joined to divine power.
Historical and Jewish Context
Early Christian preaching spread rapidly throughout the Roman world, often accompanied by persecution, hardship, and signs of God’s power.
In Jewish tradition, signs were understood as divine confirmation of God’s action and message.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic perspective, this verse summarizes the life of the Church. The Church is missionary by nature, and Christ remains present and active through the Holy Spirit, the sacraments, and apostolic preaching (CCC 849–856).
Spiritually, this verse reassures believers that they are never sent alone. Every act of witness, service, and proclamation is accompanied by Christ’s grace.
Key Terms
Went forth — missionary obedience
Preached everywhere — universality
The Lord worked with them — divine cooperation
Confirmed the message — God’s validation
Conclusion
Mark 16:20 ends not with closure, but with continuation. The Gospel moves from page to life, from apostles to the Church today. Christ reigns, Christ sends, and Christ works with His people until the end of time.
Reflection
Do I trust that the Lord works with me in my daily witness? Where is He inviting me to go forth more boldly with the Gospel?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You continue to work with Your Church. Strengthen me to go forth in faith, trusting that You accompany every word and action done in Your name. May my life confirm the Gospel I profess. Amen.
CONCLUSION
For believers today, Mark 16:19–20 reminds us that Christ’s Ascension is not a departure, but a new mode of presence. Jesus reigns in glory while continuing His work through His followers. Every baptized Christian shares in this mission, called to proclaim the Gospel through words, actions, and daily witness.
This final passage assures us that we do not labor alone. The Lord works with us, strengthening our efforts and giving fruit to faithful service. Even in a world marked by doubt and resistance, the Gospel continues to transform lives. Trusting in Christ’s abiding presence, the Church moves forward with confidence and hope.
PRAYER
Ascended Lord Jesus, You reign in glory and remain with Your Church. Strengthen us to proclaim Your Gospel with courage and joy. Work through our words and actions so that Your saving love may be made known to all. Keep us faithful to the mission You have entrusted to us, until we share fully in Your glory. Amen.