Therefore God exalted him to the highest place …
Summary: When we consider where the “highest place” is, we open the door to considering the nature of the universe and the supremacy of the spiritual realm.
Where is the “highest place?”
If this place is truly the “highest place,” then there is no “place” that is higher.
What does Paul mean?
To understand what Paul is talking about, we have to step back a bit and review who God is and who (and what) we are.
The Bible tells us that God is spirit (John 4:24). This is why no one has ever seen God (1 John 4:12).
The Bible also tells us that God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1), so it stands to reason that before the heavens, meaning the sky and stars, and the earth were created, there was nothing.
Now, by “nothing,” we mean literally, no “thing.”
“Things” are, by their very nature, not spiritual. They are physical. Because we live in a physical form, it is natural to think of things in terms of here and there, and up and down. When we think of heaven, we often imagine it is “up there,” meaning out beyond the stars somewhere. But what if the “highest place” is spiritual, not physical?
The psalmist tells us:
“The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to mankind.” (Psalm 115:16)
Maybe the “highest place” means something completely different?
The Greek word Paul uses is “hupĕrupsŏō,” meaning “to exalt to the highest rank and power, raise to supreme majesty.”*
It is as if we were to visit a spiritual courtroom.
In a human court, the judge sits above everyone else. The elevated desk is intended to emphasize the judge’s authority over everyone else in the room.
In the same way, the kings of old would sit on a throne that was higher than everyone else. The Bible describes King Solomon’s throne as having six steps leading up to it (1 Kings 10:18-20). These were not small steps, either: “Twelve lions stood on the six steps, one at either end of each step.” The passage concludes with this statement:
“Nothing like it had ever been made for any other kingdom.” (1 Kings 10:20)
I think it is safe to say that wherever Jesus is now, nothing like it exists anywhere else. His throne is truly the “highest place.”
Application: Bow to the King.
Food for Thought: What changed for Jesus when he was exalted to the highest place?
*”G5251 – hyperypsoō – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (niv).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 30 Jul, 2025. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g5251/niv/mgnt/0-1/>.
What changed for Jesus when he was exalted to the highest place?
This is a good question because it highlights that the work of Christ did not end after His resurrection. That Christ is still actively working for our redemption and restoration to God. God exalted Him and placed Him at His right hand, and He now intercedes for us. Christ literally stands between us and the righteous judgment for our sin, and through His righteousness, we can be counted as righteous through faith in Him.
Ephesians 1:20
20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,
Stephen saw this truth as he was being stoned to death.
Acts 7:55–56 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
Christ intercedes for us.
Romans 8:34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
Chris,
You have pointed out something significant: Jesus’s workload changed!
Teacher … Savior … and now Intercessor.
Well said! Thank you!
I’ll have to think on this some. I am not sure that spiritual things are no thing. No material thing though I certainly agree. And I absolutely agree that the passage is referring to Jesus’ supreme majesty and I like the courtroom analogy. But I digress.
To the question of what changed for Jesus, simply put – He went home to where He belongs. And home is next to His Father.
Thanks Rich!
Let me know what you think about “things!” 🙂
And yes, going home to be with Father is what it is all about. Well said!