The New Testament teaches that after Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead and ascended to heaven, He sat down at the right hand of God the Father. This event is understood as Christ’s exaltation and enthronement in heaven after completing His earthly ministry. But when exactly did thistake place? Let’s look at some key passages in Scripture and what they reveal about the timing of when Jesus took His seat at the Father’s right hand.
Key Passages on Christ’s Exaltation
There are several important verses in the New Testament that speak of Jesus being seated at the Father’s right hand:
Acts 2:32-36
Peter preaches on the day of Pentecost: “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’ Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
Here Peter connects Jesus’ resurrection and exaltation to the right hand of God with His pouring out of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. This implies Jesus’ exalttion happened shortly before Pentecost.
Romans 8:34
“Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”
Here Paul teaches that Jesus intercedes for believers from His position at the Father’s right hand, implying His exaltation and enthronement had already occurred at the time Romans was written (around 57-58 AD).
Ephesians 1:19b-23
“…That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”
This passage speaks of Jesus already enthroned in the heavenly realms following His resurrection and ascension. Ephesians was likely written around 60-63 AD.
Hebrews 1:3
“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”
The Book of Hebrews, written between 64-68 AD, also confirms that Jesus took His seat at the right hand of God following His sacrificial death on the cross and resurrection.
Hebrews 10:12-13
“But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool.”
Again Hebrews indicates Jesus sat down after offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sins.
1 Peter 3:21-22
“And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.”
Peter writes that Jesus went to heaven and sat at God’s right hand following His resurrection. This letter was likely written between 60-68 AD.
Revelation 3:21
“To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.”
Here the glorified Christ speaks from heaven where He sits on the Father’s throne. Revelation was written around 95-96 AD.
Synthesizing the Biblical Timeline
Based on these key passages, the consistent picture that emerges is that Jesus ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God the Father shortly after His resurrection. The eyewitness testimony of the Apostles is that God exalted Christ and enthroned Him in the place of highest honor after He defeated sin and death on the cross.
While no single verse gives an exact timeline, the logical sequence based on the wider teaching of the New Testament is:
1. Jesus was crucified and buried (around 30-33 AD)
2. He rose from the dead on the third day and appeared to His disciples over a 40-day period.
3. Jesus ascended into heaven around 33 AD, shortly before Pentecost.
4. He sat down triumphantly at the right hand of God, enthroned and crowned with glory and honor.
5. From His exalted position, Jesus poured out the Holy Spirit on His followers at Pentecost, about 7-10 days after His ascension.
Thus, the key time period for when Jesus took His seat at the Father’s right hand was between His resurrection and the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was given – so approximately around 33 AD.
The Significance of Christ’s Exaltation
Why does it matter when Jesus sat down at God’s right hand? What significance does this have? Here are some key reasons:
1. It fulfilled Old Testament prophecy and God’s promise to the Messiah.
Psalm 110, which Peter quotes in Acts 2, prophesied that the Messiah would have a position of honor and authority at God’s right hand. Jesus’ exaltation to the Father’s right hand was the fulfillment of this prophecy.
2. It marked Christ’s enthronement as heavenly King and Ruler.
Sitting at God’s right hand indicates sovereignty and shared authority with the Father. It is the ultimate position of power, majesty and victory. The exalted Christ now reigns as King of Kings from heaven itself.
3. It demonstrated His supremacy over all creation.
As Ephesians 1 says, Christ is now far above all other powers and authorities. His sitting at the Father’s right hand proves He is supreme.
4. It signified the completion of His earthly mission of redemption.
Christ sat down when His work of atonement was finished. The exaltation shows He successfully provided purification for sins (Hebrews 1:3).
5. It marked the start of His heavenly intercession as High Priest.
Now that He is seated with the Father in glory, Jesus perpetually intercedes for those who are His (Romans 8:34). He mediates between God and man as our great High Priest.
6. It means all things are now under His feet.
As Paul states in 1 Corinthians 15:25-27, Christ must reign at God’s right hand until all enemies are made a footstool under His feet. His exaltation ensures ultimate triumph.
So in summary, Jesus’ sitting at the Father’s right hand marked His glory after completing redemption, His authority as heavenly King, His supremacy over all creation, and His ongoing work of intercession as our great High Priest seated in heaven.
Conclusion
While the Bible does not give an exact date, based on the New Testament evidence it appears Jesus ascended to heaven and sat down at the right hand of God the Father around 33 AD shortly after His resurrection, and before the events of the day of Pentecost recorded in Acts 2. This marked His exaltation to the place of highest honor as the victorious Son of God. Seated with supreme authority, Jesus now reigns until His enemies are defeated and His eternal Kingdom is fully established. The exalted Christ remains active on heaven’s throne perpetually interceding for His people as King, Lord and great High Priest.
