24:52a

And they worshiped Him:
In Greek this clause is more literally, “and they having worshiped him.” It indicates that before they returned to Jerusalem (24:52b), they worshiped Jesus. They probably worshiped him while they were receiving his blessing and as a result of seeing him ascend into heaven. They may also have worshiped him because Jesus had helped them understand what the Scriptures said about himself (24:45–49).

Some other ways to connect this action to 24:51 are:

And they, after worshiping Him (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
The disciples worshiped him and (God’s Word)
-or-
So they worshiped him and (NET Bible)

they worshiped Him: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as worshiped refers to bowing, kneeling, or lying prostrate to worship and adore someone. It is a way to express reverence and respect. Some ways to translate this are:

• Translate the meaning, along with the bodily position that is appropriate in your language. For example:

They knelt and worshiped him
-or-
They prostrated themselves in worship/adoration

• Translate the meaning without specifying the bodily position. For example:

they adored/worshiped him

Translate the action in a natural way in your language.

24:52b

and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: This clause indicates that as the disciples returned to Jerusalem, they were very joyful. It implies that this joy was because of Jesus. They now knew that Jesus was really alive and had gone to God in heaven. They also believed his promise about giving them the power of the Holy Spirit to be his witnesses.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

and returned to Jerusalem very happy (New Century Version)
-or-
and they were full of joy as they returned to Jerusalem

with great joy: The phrase with great joy refers to being extremely joyful and happy. In some languages there may be an idiom to refer to this type of great joy. For example:

full of joy
-or-
overjoyed
-or-
filled with great happiness/gladness

Describe this joy in a natural way in your language.

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