Acts2
World English Bible · Public Domain
1Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3Tongues like fire appeared and were distributed to them, and one sat on each of them.
4They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak.
5Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under the sky.
6When this sound was heard, the multitude came together and were bewildered, because everyone heard them speaking in his own language.
7They were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Behold, aren’t all these who speak Galileans?
8How do we hear, everyone in our own native language?
9Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia,
10Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the parts of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,
11Cretans and Arabians—we hear them speaking in our languages the mighty works of God!”
12They were all amazed and were perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”
13Others, mocking, said, “They are filled with new wine.”
14But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice and spoke out to them, “You men of Judea and all you who dwell at Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15For these aren’t drunken, as you suppose, seeing it is only the third hour of the day.
16But this is what has been spoken through the prophet Joel:
17‘It will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams.
18Yes, and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days, I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy.
19I will show wonders in the sky above, and signs on the earth beneath: blood, and fire, and billows of smoke.
20The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
21It will be that whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
22“Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by God to you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him among you, even as you yourselves know,
23him, being delivered up by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by the hand of lawless men, crucified and killed;
24whom God raised up, having freed him from the agony of death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it.
25For David says concerning him, ‘I saw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved.
26Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced. Moreover my flesh also will dwell in hope,
27because you will not leave my soul in Hades, neither will you allow your Holy One to see decay.
28You made known to me the ways of life. You will make me full of gladness with your presence.’
29“Brothers, I may tell you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
30Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, he would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne,
31he foreseeing this, spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that his soul wasn’t left in Hades, and his flesh didn’t see decay.
32This Jesus God raised up, to which we all are witnesses.
33Being therefore exalted by the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this which you now see and hear.
34For David didn’t ascend into the heavens, but he says himself, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit by my right hand
35until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’
36“Let all the house of Israel therefore know certainly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
37Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.”
40With many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”
41Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls.
42They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer.
43Fear came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
44All who believed were together, and had all things in common.
45They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need.
46Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart,
47praising God and having favor with all the people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Acts 2.
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
ἐν (en): "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
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)
πεντηκοστή (pentēkostḗ): fiftieth (G2250 (ἡμέρα) being implied) from Passover, i.e. the festival of "Pentecost"
συμπληρόω (symplēróō): to implenish completely, i.e. (of space) to swamp (a boat), or (of time) to accomplish (passive, be complete)
ἦν (ēn): I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)
ἅπας (hápas): absolutely all or (singular) every one
ὁμοῦ (homoû): akin to G260 (ἅμα)) as adverb; at the same place or time
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.
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
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Acts 2Directly cited by Peter as the primary prophecy being fulfilled by the Holy Spirit's outpouring.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Peter quotes and exposits Psalm 16:10 directly to prove Christ's bodily resurrection.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
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
Direct development of the believers being of one heart and sharing all things in common.
Supported by Matthew Henry
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
Jesus uses wind as a sovereign, mysterious emblem of the Spirit's regenerative work.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Fulfills John the Baptist's prophecy that Christ would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Peter quotes Joel's prophecy concerning salvation in the name of the Lord.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Paul employs the identical argument from Psalm 16 in Antioch of Pisidia.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB
Illustrates the early church practice of meeting on the first day to break bread.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Shows the continuity of the disciples continually praising God in the temple.
Supported by John Calvin
The breath/wind (ruach) from heaven breathing life into the dead, symbolizing spiritual rebirth.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Direct fulfillment of Jesus' promise that they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Peter quotes this passage detailing wonders in heaven, blood, fire, and smoke.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
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
Parallels the dual agency of God's sovereign predestination and human responsibility in Christ's death.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB
God's oath to David that his descendant would sit on his throne.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Fulfills Christ's promise that the Father would send the Holy Spirit in His name.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB
The source of the pentecostal outpouring which Peter identifies as now happening.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Fulfills Christ's command that repentance and remission of sins be preached starting at Jerusalem.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB
The immediate execution of Peter's command to repent and be baptized.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Prophetic fulfillment of the Messiah's people offering themselves willingly in the day of power.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Links back to the disciples continuing with one accord in prayer before Pentecost.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin
The recurring theme of great fear coming upon the church and onlookers.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels the combination of apostolic signs, public fear, and daily additions.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The giving of the Law on Sinai occurred fifty days after the first Passover.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Illustrates the continued massive gathering of diaspora Jews in Jerusalem during Pentecost.
Supported by John Calvin
The division and confusion of languages at Babel is reversed by the gift of tongues.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Contrasts being drunk with wine (mockers' charge) with being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Peter's parallel defense of Jesus authenticated by miracles, wonders, and signs from God.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The prophecy of looking on Him whom they pierced and mourning in deep conviction.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Peter's subsequent call to repentance and conversion for the blotting out of sins.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
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
Apostolic practice of breaking bread and eating together in home gatherings.
Supported by Matthew Henry