what was a sabbath day's journey in acts 1 12

Sabbath Day's Journey

How far is a sabbath day's journey.

Acts 1:12-15 Sabbath Day's Journey

What is "a Sabbath day's journey" (Acts 1:12)? A “Sabbath day’s journey” wasn't the distance a person could cover by journeying for a day; A "Sabbath day's journey" was a unit of distance, equal to about 2/3 of a mile (1 kilometer), that the Jewish leaders limited people to journey on the Sabbath, deeming journeying any further to be “work." Acts 1:12 isn't saying that the apostles respected this man-made law, but simply indicating the distance between Jerusalem and the mount called Olivet.

Where is "the mount called Olivet" (Acts 2:12)? It is called Mount of Olives today and is located directly east of Jerusalem, across the Kidron Valley ( photo ).

How many of the eleven remaining disciples were staying in the "upper room"? All of them.

Who were the "women" in Acts 1:14? They most likely included the "women" who had watched "from afar" Jesus' sacrifice on the cross: "There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem." (Mark 15:40-41)

Who are "His brothers"? See Jesus' brothers .

Doesn't John 7:5 say that Jesus' "brother did not believe in Him"? Yes, but that was before Jesus' resurrection , after which "His brothers" may have been among the "over five hundred" (see Theophilus ) to whom Jesus appeared. Later in Acts, we will learn that one of Jesus' brothers (biological half brothers since Joseph wasn't Jesus' father) had become one of the Christian leaders in Jerusalem (see James ).

How many disciples were there? "about a hundred and twenty" (Acts 1:15).

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SABBATH DAY’s JOURNEY ( σαββάτον ὁδός , sabbath journey, sabbath day’s journey ). A measure of distance, somewhat similar to the Egyp. unit of 1000 double steps, which served as the limit of travel on the sabbath. The phrase became a common expression for a relatively short distance.

The distance has been generally reckoned as 2000 cubits or approximately 2/3 of a m. Acts 1:12 , the only instance of its occurrence in the Bible, specifies its length as the distance from Mt. Olivet to Jerusalem. (From the Eastern gate of Jerusalem to the present site of the Church of the Ascension on Mt. Olivet is slightly over 1/2 m.)

It is assumed that the regulation had its origin in the Mosaic period in the injunction to the Israelite not to leave camp to collect manna on the sabbath ( Exod 16:29 ). In the Jerusalem Targ. this command reads: “Let no man go walking from the place beyond 2000 cubits on the seventh day.” There are other regulations to which appeal is made in an effort to locate the origin of this practice or precept. One is the provision that the area belonging to the Levitical cities included land which extended from the wall 2000 cubits on every side ( Num 35:5 ). Another is the supposed distance that separated the Ark and the people both on the march and at camp ( Josh 3:4 ). As far as this specific regulation is concerned, it applied only to leaving the city, the prescribed distance being measured from the city gate. Within the city proper, no matter how large it might be, there was no such limitation.

The original intent of the provision was to insure a quiet, leisurely Sabbath and to keep it from becoming a harried and busy day ( Exod 16:29 ). It was also designed to keep the Israelitish worshiper in the area of the center of his worship. The motive was noble but, unfortunately, it resulted in a barren legalism. As a consequence, there were casuistic schemes to circumvent it. It did, however, permit a legitimate exception. If one were caught at a distance on a journey, he might travel to the nearest shelter for safety. But there were deliberate schemes to by-pass the rule. One such scheme was to select a tree or a stone at a distance, place some food there, and declare: “Let this be my residence.”

Bibliography Mishnah , tr. H. Danby, Erubin , 4 (1933); J. S. Davis, “Sabbath,” DDB (1954), 662-665; H. Porter, “Sabbath Day’s Journey,” ISBE, IV (1955), 2634; D. J. Wiseman, “Weights and Measures,” NDB (1962), 1324; T. S. Kepler, “Sabbath Day’s Journey,” IDB, IV (1962), 141; P. van Imschoot, “Sabbath Journey,” EGB (1963), 2076.

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Sabbath day's journey

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A Jew was permitted to travel 2,000 cubits on the Sabbath (Exod. 16: 29 and Num. 35: 5), about 1.2 km. (¾ mile), and the Mount of Olives was within this distance from Jerusalem (Acts 1: 12).

From:   Sabbath day's journey   in  A Dictionary of the Bible »

Subjects: Religion

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Acts 1:12–26

12  Then b they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet , which is near Jerusalem , a Sabbath day’s journey away . 13  And when they had entered , they went up to c the upper room , where they were staying , d Peter and John and James and Andrew , Philip and Thomas , Bartholomew and Matthew , James the son of Alphaeus and Simon e the Zealot and Judas the son of James . 14  All these f with one accord g were devoting themselves to prayer , together with h the women and Mary the mother of Jesus , and i his brothers . 1

15  In those days Peter stood up among j the brothers ( the company of persons was in all about 120 ) and said , 16  “ Brothers , k the Scripture had to be fulfilled , which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas , l who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus . 17  For m he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in n this ministry . ” 18  ( Now this man o acquired a field with p the reward of his wickedness , and falling headlong 2 he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out . 19  And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem , so that the field was called q in their own language Akeldama , that is , Field of Blood . ) 20  “ For it is written in the Book of Psalms ,

r “ ‘ May his camp become desolate ,

and let there be no one to dwell in it ’ ;

s “ ‘ Let another take his office . ’

21  So one of the men who have accompanied us during t all the time that the Lord Jesus u went in and out among us , 22  v beginning from the baptism of John until the day when w he was taken up from us — one of these men must become with us x a witness to his resurrection . ” 23  And they put forward two , Joseph called y Barsabbas , who was also called z Justus , and a Matthias . 24  And b they prayed and said , “ You , Lord , c who know the hearts of all , show which one of these two you have chosen 25  to take the place in d this ministry and e apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place . ” 26  And they cast lots for them , and the lot fell on Matthias , and he was numbered with the eleven apostles .

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Acts 1:12-14

Acts 1:12-14 kjv.

Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphæus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

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Acts 1:9–12

Jesus Ascends to Heaven

9  p Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, q He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10  And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them r in white apparel, 11  who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, s will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

The Upper Room Prayer Meeting

12  t Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey.

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Acts 1:9–12 — The New International Version (NIV)

12  Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city.

Acts 1:9–12 — English Standard Version (ESV)

12  Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away.

Acts 1:9–12 — King James Version (KJV 1900)

9  And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10  And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11  Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. 12  Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey.

Acts 1:9–12 — New Living Translation (NLT)

12  Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile.

Acts 1:9–12 — New Century Version (NCV)

12  Then they went back to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. (This mountain is about half a mile from Jerusalem.)

Acts 1:9–12 — American Standard Version (ASV)

9  And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10  And while they were looking stedfastly into heaven as he went, behold two men stood by them in white apparel; 11  who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven. 12  Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is nigh unto Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey off.

Acts 1:9–12 — 1890 Darby Bible (DARBY)

12  Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called the mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath-day’s journey off.

Acts 1:9–12 — GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

12  Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called the Mount of Olives. It is near Jerusalem, about half a mile away. 

Acts 1:9–12 — The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

12  Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem—a Sabbath day’s journey away.

Acts 1:9–12 — The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

12  Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away.

Acts 1:9–12 — The Lexham English Bible (LEB)

12  Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain that is called Olive Grove which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away.

Acts 1:9–12 — New International Reader’s Version (1998) (NIrV)

12  The apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. It is almost a mile from the city.

Acts 1:9–12 — New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (NASB95)

12  Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet , which is near Jerusalem , a Sabbath day’s journey away.

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Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

Acts 1:12 in other translations, acts 1:12 in-context, cross references 2, footnotes 1.

• [a]. That is, about 5/8 mile or about 1 kilometer

Q: #557. What was a "Sabbath days journey" (Acts 1:12)?

By: steve shirley.

     A: A “Sabbath days journey” is mentioned only in the New Testament in (Acts 1:12), however, it’s observance appears to have started in the Old Testament. Nowhere in the Bible do we find that this was commanded by God. Instead, it was a man-made rule created by the Jewish priests.

     In short, a Sabbath days journey was a rule which stated that on the Sabbath day (Saturday), no one could travel farther than 2000 cubits (about 3000 feet / 1000 yards / 5/8 of a mile – see: Q: #375 ). 

     How did the Jewish priests determine this distance? It is believed that they primarily used 3 different places in the Old Testament. The first is found in (Ex 16:27-30):

“And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather (manna), and they found none. And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws? See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day. So the people rested on the seventh day.” 

     The second is found in (Num 35:5): 

“And ye shall measure from without the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits; and the city shall be in the midst: this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities.”

     The third is found in (Josh 3:3-4):

“And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it. (4) Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore.”

     Now, let’s put these verses together.  In Exodus, God told the Israelites: “let no man go out of his place” on the Sabbath. So, what is “his place” became the question. At first, it appears that the Israelites determined it was their home, but later decided it was the city (in part because they were allowed to leave their “place” (house) to walk to the Tabernacle / Temple on the Sabbath). 

     So, if the “place” was not their home, but instead the city, then how far could they go from the city? The priests based this on the verses in Numbers and Joshua. Specifically, in (Josh 3:3) God told the Israelites that they were to “remove from their (your) place” and follow the Ark of the Covenant, but there was to be “a space between the Israelites (you) and the Ark (it)” of “about 2000 cubits.”

     Deciding that the 2000 cubits (1000 yards) in these two instances was a God-ordained distance, the priests determined that the Israelites could not travel any farther than this from the wall of the city on the Sabbath.  Anyone who violated this rule was said to have broken the 4th Commandment (to “keep the Sabbath day holy”). 

     Tradition says that apparently the Israelites found ways to “bend” this rule in several ways. One such way was placing a lunch at a designated spot about 1000 yards away from the wall of the city the day before the Sabbath, and then when traveling on the Sabbath, stopping at that designated spot, declaring it a temporary abode, eating the lunch (resting), and then going on to travel another 1000 yards.

     Tying all of this into (Acts 1:12), we know that the distance between Jerusalem and the Mt. of Olives was about 2000 cubits, therefore, Luke used a Jewish term which signified that distance: “a Sabbath days journey.”

Copyright: https://JesusAlive.cc © Steve Shirley

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