John 1:51

Lore & Background

In the original Greek according to Westcott-Hort, the verse reads: 'Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ, Ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἀπ᾿ ἄρτι ὄψεσθε τὸν οὐρανὸν ἀνεῳγότα, καὶ τοὺς ἀγγέλους τοῦ Θεοῦ ἀναβαίνοντας καὶ καταβαίνοντας ἐπὶ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου.' The King James Version translates it as: 'And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.' The New International Version renders it: 'He then added, "I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."'

Irish Archbishop John McEvilly believed that the double 'Amen' points to the importance of what follows, and that Jesus used 'Son of man' out of humility. The larger question is when the opening of heaven occurs. Lapide enumerated several possibilities: at Christ's agony in Gethsemane when an angel strengthened Him; at His baptism when a dove formed by angels descended; at His ascension when angels accompanied Him; or at the Day of Judgment when all angels will stand before Him.

Reader's Guide

John 1:51 is significant for its connection to Jacob's ladder in Genesis 28:12, as noted by Augustine. Augustine interpreted the angels ascending and descending upon the Son of Man as representing good preachers who preach Christ, ascending to heaven and descending to minister to others, like Paul who ascended to the third heaven and descended to give milk to babes. Augustine also questioned why Nathanael, to whom Jesus bore such testimony, was not among the twelve Apostles, suggesting it may have been because he was learned and versed in the law, while Jesus chose the foolish to confound the world. The verse's ambiguity about when the vision occurs—whether at historical events in Jesus' life or at the end of time—has led to diverse interpretations among commentators, preserving the mystery of the text.

Did You Know?

• John 1:51 is the last verse in the first chapter of the Gospel of John.
• The verse uses the phrase 'Amen, amen,' which Irish Archbishop John McEvilly believed points to the importance of what follows.
• Lapide listed four possible times for the opening of heaven: Christ's agony in Gethsemane, His baptism, His ascension, or the Day of Judgment.
• Augustine connected this verse to Jacob's ladder in Genesis 28:12.