He Led Captivity Captive ?

[mel35215]

What exactly does the apostle Paul mean in the phrase, "when He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive...." (Eph. 4:8) whom did our Lord lead captive?



THE BEREAN NOTEPAD
Touching lives with the truth of God's Word.

 

[mythbuster]

How about ...therefore the Scripture says, "Having ascended to the height, He led captive those taken captive and gave gifts to men.'' (Recovery Version.)

We are those who were once captive by Satan's captivity, and now we have been captured by the Lord who, in His victorious Devil defeating death and wonderful glorious resurrection has brought us into a brand new realm. Like Noah stepping off the ark after the flood, we in Him are now in resurrection, captured and captivated by the magnificent victorious Christ.

 

[daveleau]

A few other versions (3 literal translations and one thought-for-thought):

Amplified 8Therefore it is said, When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive [He led a train of [a]vanquished foes] and He bestowed gifts on men.(A)

NIV 8This is why it[a] says:
"When he ascended on high,
he led captives in his train
and gave gifts to men."

NASB 8Therefore it says,
"(A)WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH,
HE (B)LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES,
AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN."

HCSB For it says:

When He ascended (A) on high, He took prisoners into captivity; [a]

He gave gifts to people. (B) (C)