Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 1:10

"And while they were looking stedfastly into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;" — Acts 1:10 (ASV)

Looked steadfastly (or, earnestly). They fixed their eyes, or gazed intently toward heaven. Luke 4:20, And the eyes of all those in the synagogue were fastened on him (Greek, the same word as here). This means the intense gaze when we are deeply interested and wish to see clearly and distinctly.

Here, they were amazed and confounded; the event was unexpected, and they were even then inquiring whether he would not restore the kingdom to Israel. With this mingled amazement, disappointment, and curiosity, and with the earnest desire to catch the last glimpse of their beloved Master, they naturally continued to gaze on the distant clouds where he had mysteriously disappeared from their view.

Never was a scene more impressive, grand, and solemn than this.

Toward heaven. Toward the distant clouds or sky that had received him.

As he went up. Literally, "The ascending, or going up." Doubtless they continued to gaze after he had departed from their view.

Two men (John 20:12). From the clothing of these "men" and the nature of their message, it seems clear that they were angelic beings, who were sent to meet and comfort the disciples on this occasion. They appeared in human form, and Luke describes them as they appeared.

Angels are frequently called men. Luke 24:4, Two men stood by them in shining garments, etc. (Matthew 28:5).

As two angels are mentioned only as addressing the apostles after the resurrection of Jesus (John 20:12; Luke 24:4), it is not an unnatural supposition that these were the same who had been designated to the honourable office of bearing witness to his resurrection, and of giving them all the information about that resurrection, and of his ascension, which their circumstances needed.

In white apparel. Angels are commonly represented as clothed in white (Matthew 28:3; Mark 16:5).

It is an emblem of purity, and the worshippers of heaven are represented as clothed in this manner. Revelation 3:4, They shall walk with me in white; Revelation 3:5, He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment.Revelation 4:4; 7:9, 13, 14.