The Holy Spirit at Pentecost
(Genesis 11:1–9; Leviticus 23:15–22)
Jews observed three great annual pilgrimage festivals, when...
Jews observed three great annual pilgrimage festivals, when many would go to the Temple in Jerusalem—Unleavened Bread (which includes Passover), Pentecost (Harvest), and Shelters (see Lev 23:1–44). On Pentecost, when the Jewish people were gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the harvest of God’s blessings, and when the disciples were united and expectant as they gathered for prayer, the Holy Spirit came and filled the gathered believers.
1When the day of Pentecost† came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Because Pentecost was a pilgrimage festival (see study...
Because Pentecost was a pilgrimage festival (see study note on 2:1–4), Jews from every nation were present in Jerusalem at that time and were thus able to hear the Good News being proclaimed in their own languages. The Good News is for all people (2:38–39).
5Now there were dwelling† in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6And when this sound rang out, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking his own language.
7Astounded and amazed, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8How is it then that each of us hears them in his own native language?
Parthians came from the region stretching from the...
- Parthians came from the region stretching from the Tigris River eastward to India. Medes (now called Kurds) were from Media, east of Mesopotamia and north of the Persian Gulf. Elamites were from Elam (now in Iran), north of the Persian Gulf and just east of the Tigris River. Mesopotamia lay between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Judea was well known as the Jewish homeland. Cappadocia, Pontus, and Asia were Roman provinces in Asia Minor (now in Turkey; see 1 Pet 1:1); Paul later taught and preached in some of these areas (see Acts 16:6; 19:10, 26). Phrygia and Pamphylia were districts of Asia Minor later visited by Paul (13:13; 18:23). Egypt had a large Jewish population, particularly in the city of Alexandria (see 18:24). North Africa was also represented by Libya and Cyrene. Rome was the imperial capital and the home of thousands of Jews. The Cretans came from the island of Crete, located south-southeast of Greece, and the Arabs from the area south and east of Jerusalem.
- The inclusion of all of these nations suggests how the Good News was going to go out to the ends of the earth (1:8).
9Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,†
converts to Judaism: See study note on 13:43.
converts to Judaism: See study note on 13:43.
10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome, 11both Jews and converts to Judaism; Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”
12Astounded and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
13But others mocked them and said, “They are drunk on new wine!”
Peter Addresses the Crowd
(Psalms 16:1–11; Joel 2:28–32)
This is the first of about thirty speeches...
This is the first of about thirty speeches in Acts and one of the most important, standing as it does at the very inception of the church. It is a typical example of the preaching of the apostles, who proclaimed (1) that the Old Testament promises had been fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is the promised Messiah; (2) that the apostles themselves were eyewitnesses of Jesus’ entire public ministry and were his chosen representatives; (3) that people are called to repent of their sins and have faith in God through Christ; and (4) that salvation and the presence of the Holy Spirit are promised to those who respond affirmatively to this message of Good News. This basic message is echoed in the sermons of chs 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, and 13. The same themes characterized Paul’s preaching (see 1 Cor 15:3–9). This message was repeatedly preached to both Jews and Gentiles throughout the Mediterranean world; all people are summoned to repent of their sins and turn to God through faith in Jesus Christ.
14Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, lifted up his voice, and addressed the crowd: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen carefully to my words. 15These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It is only the third hour of the day!† 16No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
This passage quotes Joel 2:28–32. The prophet Joel...
This passage quotes Joel 2:28–32. The prophet Joel predicted a wider exercise of the gifts of prophecy, including visions and dreams by both young and old, both men and women in the last days (Joel 2:28–29). In Acts, on the day of Pentecost, Peter declared that Joel’s prophecy was being fulfilled, signaling that “the last days” had arrived.
22Men of Israel, listen to this message: Jesus of Nazareth was a man certified by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know.
While cruel men had crucified Jesus, this action...
While cruel men had crucified Jesus, this action had not defeated God’s prearranged plan for salvation. In fact, God raised him back to life, which David had foretold (2:25–28).
23He was delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross. 24But God raised Him from the dead, releasing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep Him in its grip.
25David says 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 dwell in hope,27because You will not abandon my soul to Hades,nor will You 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.’†29Brothers, I can tell you with confidence that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is with us 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.† 31Foreseeing this, David spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did His body see decay.
God raised Jesus from the dead, and we...
God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this: The witness theme is often repeated in Acts (e.g., 3:15; 4:33; 5:32; 10:39–43). The capstone of this message is that God the Father, as he had promised, was now pouring out his Holy Spirit on the church through the risen Jesus. All Israel was called upon to recognize that God had acted decisively to make the crucified Jesus both Lord and Messiah!
32God has raised this Jesus to life, to which we are all witnesses.
33Exalted, then, 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.
This passage quotes Ps 110:1, which Jesus fulfilled...
This passage quotes Ps 110:1, which Jesus fulfilled when he ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9).
34For David did not ascend into heaven, but he himself says:
‘The Lord said to my Lord,“Sit at My right hand35until I make Your enemiesa footstool for Your feet.”’†36Therefore let all Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!”
Three Thousand Believe
Brothers, what should we do? Peter answered by...
Brothers, what should we do? Peter answered by strongly exhorting his listeners to repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized. See “Baptism” Theme Note.
37When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked 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. 39This promise belongs to you and your children and to all who are far off—to all whom the Lord our God will call to Himself.”
40With many other words he testified, and he urged them, “Be saved from this corrupt generation.” 41Those who embraced his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to the believers that day.†
The Fellowship of Believers
Luke makes a clear connection between personal faith...
Luke makes a clear connection between personal faith and membership in the Christian community. Life in this new community involved devotion to the apostolic teaching of God’s Word, fellowship, sharing, joy, and praise, and it resulted in the Lord’s continuing to add to their number those who were being saved.
42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43A sense of awe† came over everyone, and the apostles performed many wonders and signs.
44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need.
46With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts† and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.