Michel Remaud: Ascension and Pentecost

In the Epistle to the Ephesians, one can read this passage: "But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it is said, "When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive; he gave gifts to his people" (Ephesians 4:7-8). The Epistle quotes an obscure verse from the Psalms here (Psalm 68:19) and the citation is not completely literal.

The use of this verse might become clearer if we compare it with a text from the Talmud that quotes this same verse (bShabbat 88b-89a). This passage describes a picturesque scene in which Moses, having climbed Mount Sinai, enters into the celestial heights in order to receive the Torah. His interjection into the elevated spheres plunges the angels into confusion. "Sovereign of the Universe! What business has one born of woman amongst us?" This confusion is multiplied when God explains why Moses is there: "He has come to receive the Torah". The Torah that had been created before the world and which the angels were used to seeing in the midst of the heavens, whose prize ornament it was, is now destined to descend into the world of men and be profaned by them. "Return them an answer," bade the Holy One, blessed be He, to Moses. "Sovereign of the Universe" replied he, "I fear lest they consume me with the fiery breath of their mouths." "Hold on to the Throne of Glory," said He to him, "and return them an answer". Moses then began to show the angels that they have no need of a Torah that says: "I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the Land of Egypt… you shall not steal… you shall not kill… you shall honor your father and mother… etc." Moses said: "Did ye go down to Egypt; were ye enslaved to Pharaoh… is there jealousy among you… do you have fathers and mothers?" Amazed by the pertinence of these responses, each angel gave him a gift. Together with the Torah, Moses descended down to earth bringing with him the celestial gifts. As a man, he had won the gifts of heaven and brought them to earth.

This Talmudic text can clarify the passage in the Epistle, showing how the verse of the psalm was used in the Jewish tradition. Like Moses, Jesus ascended and, as a man, he brought the celestial gifts to earth. In what comes later in the Epistle, it is clear that these gifts are the charisms and ministries whose aim is to "edify the Body of Christ".

There is, however, a difference between Moses and Jesus: Moses begins below, ascends and then descends. Jesus, as the Epistle informs us, begin by descending, and then he re-ascends. Without re-descending again, he distributes the celestial gifts from above. In its liturgical use, this passage thus sheds light on the link that brings together Pentecost with the Ascension: ascending into the heavens, Jesus sends down the Holy Spirit and with the Spirit all the gifts that cause the Church to grow.