Will Jesus Return on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem?

The angels told the disciples that Jesus will return “in the same way” in which he ascended to heaven (Acts 1:11). Does that mean that he will return on the Mount of Olives, “a Sabbath day’s walk from the city” east of Jerusalem (Acts 1:12 NIV), where this event took place? The prophecy in Zechariah 14 seems to confirm this: “On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem.… Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him” (vv. 4–5 NIV). 

However, the angels’ reference to the “manner” of Jesus’ ascension refers to the heavens and to the cloud, not to the location of Jesus’ return. The context of the angels’ explanation clarifies that the task that the disciples have been given is more important than the details of Jesus’ return. Indeed, even more important than waiting for Jesus’ return in Jerusalem. 

The question “why do you stand here looking into the sky?” (Acts 1:11 NIV) reminds them that they have been commissioned by Jesus to wait for the bestowal of the Holy Spirit and his power, and then to be his witnesses “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (1:8 NIV). Jesus’ followers do not worry about the place of Jesus’ return because they work and live as Jesus’ witnesses in many cities between Jerusalem and the remotest nations on earth.



Schnabel, E. J. (2011). 40 Questions about the End Times. (B. L. Merkle, Ed.) (pp. 253–254). Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic & Professional.