*Acts 2:1-13
On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descends on the apostles in the form of fire and empowers them to speak in different languages.
- Context: This passage describes the events of Pentecost, fifty days after Jesus’ resurrection, when the Holy Spirit descends upon the disciples.
- The Day of Pentecost:
- The disciples are gathered together in one place, likely the same upper room where they had been praying.
- Pentecost was a Jewish festival commemorating the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai and later associated with the wheat harvest.
- Descent of the Holy Spirit:
- Suddenly, a sound like a mighty rushing wind fills the house where they are gathered.
- Tongues of fire appear and rest on each of the disciples.
- They are all filled with the Holy Spirit and begin to speak in other languages as the Spirit enables them.
- A Multicultural Crowd:
- A large crowd of devout Jews from every nation under heaven is in Jerusalem for the festival.
- They are bewildered when they hear the disciples speaking in their own native languages.
- Reactions of the Crowd:
- The crowd is amazed and astonished, questioning how these Galileans could speak in the languages of so many different regions.
- Some speculate that the disciples are drunk, but Peter refutes this accusation.
2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
2:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
2:6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
2:7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 2:9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 2:10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
2:12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? 2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.