‘He led them out as far as Bethany.’ We should understand that this occurred on the fortieth day after the Resurrection. You, O reader, should understnad that the events which the Evangelists describe in brief actually took place over many days. Luke himself says in the Book of Acts that Jesus was ‘seen by them for forty days,’ for He appeared and vanished many times. He blessed the disciples, placing in them a protecting power until the coming of the Holy Spirit and at the same time teaching us, when we depart on a journey, to leave a blessing with those who are in our care, in order to protect them.
The Explanation by Blessed Theophylact of the Holy Gospel According to St. Luke.