So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

MARK 16:19KJV
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Mark 16:19 (KJV)

What does Mark 16:19 mean?

Mark 16:19 describes how, after speaking to his followers, Jesus was taken up into heaven and took his place at the right hand of God. This verse shows the moment when Jesus leaves earth and is honored in a position of authority beside God.

Mark 16:19 comes at the end of the Gospel, after Jesus has risen from the dead and appeared to his disciples. The verse summarizes Jesus’ final act on earth: he speaks to his followers, then is received into heaven. Sitting at the “right hand” is a way of saying Jesus shares God’s authority and honor, a common image in the Bible for someone given a special place by a king.

The Greek behind Mark 16:19

  • “Right hand” (δεξιᾷ, dexia): In Greek, this phrase often means a place of highest honor or authority. In the culture of the time, sitting at someone’s right hand meant sharing their power and status.
  • “Received up” (ἀναλαμβάνω, analambanō): This word means to be taken up or carried away, often used for someone being lifted to a higher place. Here, it emphasizes that Jesus’ departure was not ordinary, but a special act of God.
  • “Sat” (καθίζω, kathizō): This word means to sit down, but in this context, it signals taking a settled, lasting position of authority.

Why Mark 16:19 matters

  • Mark 16:19 makes clear that Jesus’ story does not end with his resurrection; it continues with his ascension and his ongoing role beside God.
  • The verse highlights Jesus’ unique status, showing that he is not just a teacher or prophet, but someone given authority by God himself.
  • This moment connects the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry to the beginning of the disciples’ mission, as they are now sent out with the knowledge that Jesus reigns with God.

Where else these words appear

“up” Greek G353 · used in 13 verses

  • Acts 1:2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
  • Acts 10:16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
  • Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

“sat” Greek G2523 · used in 46 verses

  • Matthew 5:1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
  • Luke 4:20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
  • Acts 13:14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

“hand” Greek G1188 · used in 53 verses

  • Matthew 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
  • Mark 16:5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.
  • 2 Corinthians 6:7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,