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Acts2

New International Version

1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.

2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.

3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.

4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

5Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.

6When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken.

7Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?

8Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?

9Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,

10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome

11(both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”

12Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

13Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

14Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.

15These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning!

16No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17“‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

18Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.

19I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke.

20The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.

21And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

22“Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.

23This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.

24But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.

25David said about him: “‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

26Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope,

27because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay.

28You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’

29“Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day.

30But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.

31Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay.

32God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.

33Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.

34For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand

35until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’

36“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

37When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

38Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

40With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”

41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

43Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.

44All the believers were together and had everything in common.

45They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.

46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,

47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Acts 2.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: The descent of the Holy Spirit at the day of Pentecost. (1–4). The apostles speak in divers languages. (5–13). Peter's address to the Jews. (14–36). Three thousand souls converted. (37–41). The piety and affection of the disciples. (42–47).

vv1-4

We cannot forget how often, while their Master was with them there were strifes among the disciples which should be the greatest; but now all these strifes were at an end. They had prayed more together of late. Would we have the Spirit poured out upon us from on high, let us be all of one accord. And notwithstanding differences of sentiments and interests, as there were among those disciples, let us agree to love one another; for where brethren dwell together in unity, there the Lord commands his blessing. A rushing mighty wind came with great force. This was to signify the powerful influences and working of the Spirit of God upon the minds of men, and thereby upon the world. Thus the convictions of the Spirit make way for his comforts; and the rough blasts of that blessed wind, prepare the soul for its soft and gentle gales. There was an appearance of something like flaming fire, lighting on every one of them, according to John Baptist's saying concerning Christ; He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire. The Spirit, like fire, melts the heart, burns up the dross, and kindles pious and devout affections in the soul; in which, as in the fire on the altar, the spiritual sacrifices are offered up. They were all filled with the Holy Ghost, more than before. They were filled with the graces of the Spirit, and more than ever under his sanctifying influences; more weaned from this world, and better acquainted with the other. They were more filled with the comforts of the Spirit, rejoiced more than ever in the love of Christ and the hope of heaven: in it all their griefs and fears were swallowed up. They were filled with the gifts of the Holy Ghost; they had miraculous powers for the furtherance of the gospel. They spake, not from previous though or meditation, but as the Spirit gave them utterance.

vv5-13

The difference in languages which arose at Babel, has much hindered the spread of knowledge and religion. The instruments whom the Lord first employed in spreading the Christian religion, could have made no progress without this gift, which proved that their authority was from God.

vv14-21

Peter's sermon shows that he was thoroughly recovered from his fall, and thoroughly restored to the Divine favour; for he who had denied Christ, now boldly confessed him. His account of the miraculous pouring forth of the Spirit, was designed to awaken the hearers to embrace the faith of Christ, and to join themselves to his church. It was the fulfilling the Scripture, and the fruit of Christ's resurrection and ascension, and proof of both. Though Peter was filled with the Holy Ghost, and spake with tongues as the Spirit gave him utterance, yet he did not think to set aside the Scriptures. Christ's scholars never learn above their Bible; and the Spirit is given, not to do away the Scriptures, but to enable us to understand, approve, and obey them. Assuredly none will escape the condemnation of the great day, except those who call upon the name of the Lord, in and through his Son Jesus Christ, as the Saviour of sinners, and the Judge of all mankind.

Key Words

WhenG1722Greek

ἐν (en): "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.

dayG2250Greek

ἡμέρα (hēméra): day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the Jews as inclusive of the parts of both extremes); figuratively, a period (always defined more or less clearly by the context)

PentecostG4005Greek

πεντηκοστή (pentēkostḗ): fiftieth (G2250 (ἡμέρα) being implied) from Passover, i.e. the festival of "Pentecost"

arrivedG4845Greek

συμπληρόω (symplēróō): to implenish completely, i.e. (of space) to swamp (a boat), or (of time) to accomplish (passive, be complete)

wereG2258Greek

ἦν (ēn): I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

allG537Greek

ἅπας (hápas): absolutely all or (singular) every one

togetherG3674Greek

ὁμοῦ (homoû): akin to G260 (ἅμα)) as adverb; at the same place or time

inG1909Greek

ἐπί (epí): properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.

oneG846Greek

αὐτός (autós): the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

AndG2532Greek

καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Cross References

Acts 2
v16Joel 2:28fulfillment

Directly cited by Peter as the primary prophecy being fulfilled by the Holy Spirit's outpouring.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v27Psalms 16:10quotation

Peter quotes and exposits Psalm 16:10 directly to prove Christ's bodily resurrection.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v34Psalms 110:1-5quotation

Direct citation of David's prophecy of Messiah's ascension and reign at God's right hand.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v44Acts 4:32thematic

Direct development of the believers being of one heart and sharing all things in common.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v45Acts 4:34-37thematic

Narrates the practical implementation of selling possessions and distributing to those in need.

Supported by Matthew Henry

Establishes the Old Testament feast of Pentecost (fifty days/weeks) fulfilled on this day.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v2John 3:8allusion

Jesus uses wind as a sovereign, mysterious emblem of the Spirit's regenerative work.

Supported by John Calvin, JFB

v3Matthew 3:11fulfillment

Fulfills John the Baptist's prophecy that Christ would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin

v21Joel 2:32quotation

Peter quotes Joel's prophecy concerning salvation in the name of the Lord.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v27Acts 13:35thematic

Paul employs the identical argument from Psalm 16 in Antioch of Pisidia.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB

v42Acts 20:7thematic

Illustrates the early church practice of meeting on the first day to break bread.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v46Luke 24:53thematic

Shows the continuity of the disciples continually praising God in the temple.

Supported by John Calvin

v2Ezekiel 37:9thematic

The breath/wind (ruach) from heaven breathing life into the dead, symbolizing spiritual rebirth.

Supported by John Calvin, JFB

v4Acts 1:5fulfillment

Direct fulfillment of Jesus' promise that they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin

v19Joel 2:30quotation

Peter quotes this passage detailing wonders in heaven, blood, fire, and smoke.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v20Joel 2:31quotation

Peter quotes this text concerning the sun turning to darkness before the Lord's great day.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v23Acts 4:28thematic

Parallels the dual agency of God's sovereign predestination and human responsibility in Christ's death.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB

v30Psalms 132:11-18fulfillment

God's oath to David that his descendant would sit on his throne.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v33John 14:26thematic

Fulfills Christ's promise that the Father would send the Holy Spirit in His name.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB

v33Joel 2:28fulfillment

The source of the pentecostal outpouring which Peter identifies as now happening.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v38Luke 24:47fulfillment

Fulfills Christ's command that repentance and remission of sins be preached starting at Jerusalem.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB

v41Acts 2:38thematic

The immediate execution of Peter's command to repent and be baptized.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v41Psalms 110:3fulfillment

Prophetic fulfillment of the Messiah's people offering themselves willingly in the day of power.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v42Acts 1:14thematic

Links back to the disciples continuing with one accord in prayer before Pentecost.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v43Acts 5:11thematic

The recurring theme of great fear coming upon the church and onlookers.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v43Acts 5:12-14thematic

Parallels the combination of apostolic signs, public fear, and daily additions.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v1Exodus 19:11typology

The giving of the Law on Sinai occurred fifty days after the first Passover.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v1Acts 20:16thematic

Illustrates the continued massive gathering of diaspora Jews in Jerusalem during Pentecost.

Supported by John Calvin

v4Genesis 11:7contrast

The division and confusion of languages at Babel is reversed by the gift of tongues.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v13Ephesians 5:18contrast

Contrasts being drunk with wine (mockers' charge) with being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v22Acts 10:38thematic

Peter's parallel defense of Jesus authenticated by miracles, wonders, and signs from God.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v37Zechariah 12:10thematic

The prophecy of looking on Him whom they pierced and mourning in deep conviction.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v38Acts 3:19thematic

Peter's subsequent call to repentance and conversion for the blotting out of sins.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v39Genesis 17:7thematic

The covenant promise extending to believers and their children.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin

Explains how those 'afar off' are brought near by the gospel message.

Supported by John Calvin, JFB

v42Acts 20:11thematic

Apostolic practice of breaking bread and eating together in home gatherings.

Supported by Matthew Henry