John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 7. And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off , etc.] To have a view, if they could, of the assumption of Elijah to heaven, and be witnesses of it: and they two stood by Jordan ; on the banks of it, even Elijah and Elisha.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - The Lord had let Elijah know that his time was at hand. He therefor went to the different schools of the prophets to give them his las exhortations and blessing. The removal of Elijah was a type and figur of the ascension of Christ, and the opening of the kingdom of heaven to all believers. Elisha had long followed Elijah, and he would not leav him now when he hoped for the parting blessing. Let not those wh follow Christ come short by tiring at last. The waters of Jordan, or old, yielded to the ark; now, to the prophet's mantle, as a token of God's presence. When God will take up his faithful ones to heaven death is the Jordan which they must pass through, and they find a wa through it. The death of Christ has divided those waters, that the ransomed of the Lord may pass over. O death, where is thy sting, the hurt, thy terror!
Original Hebrew וחמשׁים2572 אישׁ582 מבני1121 הנביאים5030 הלכו1980 ויעמדו5975 מנגד5048 מרחוק7350 ושׁניהם8147 עמדו5975 על5921 הירדן׃3383
