Charles Ellicott Commentary Acts 1:12

"Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is nigh unto Jerusalem, a Sabbath day`s journey off." — Acts 1:12 (ASV)

From the mount called Olivet.—Regarding the name, see the note on Luke 19:29. The mention of the distance, and the measure of distance employed, are both of them remarkable. This suggests that St. Luke's reckoning was different from that which Christendom has commonly accepted. It further implies that the “forty days” expired before the final renewal of our Lord's interaction with His disciples, and that this interaction ended on the following Sabbath—i.e., eight days before the Day of Pentecost.

On this supposition, we find a reason, otherwise lacking, for stating the distance in this way. Symbolically, too, there seems a fitness in our Lord's entering into His rest on the great day of rest, which is lacking in our common way of reckoning.

On the other hand, it may be noted that it is characteristic of St. Luke, as in the case of Emmaus (Luke 24:13), to give distances. The “Sabbath day’s journey” was reckoned at 2,000 paces, or about six furlongs.