Acts 2
Berean Standard Bible · Compare translations · AD 30 · The early church · Tap a verse to copy, share or highlight ·
47 verses · 929 words · ~5 min read · ~6 min listen
The Holy Spirit at Pentecost
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.
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 men who are speaking Galileans? 8How is it then that each of us hears them in his own 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, 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
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:
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. 23He was delivered up by Godʼs 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:
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. 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. 34For David did not ascend into heaven, but he himself says:
36Therefore let all Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!”
Three Thousand Believe
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
42They devoted themselves to the apostlesʼ 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.
Footnotes (12)
- a v1 That is, Shavuot, the late spring feast of pilgrimage to Jerusalem; it is also known as the Feast of Harvest (see Exodus 23:16) or the Feast of Weeks (see Exodus 34:22).
- b v5 Or staying; similarly in verse 14
- c v9 That is, the Roman Province of Asia, located in what is now western Turkey
- d v15 That is, nine in the morning
- e v21 Joel 2:28–32(see also LXX)
- f v25 Literally I foresaw; see verse 31.
- g v28 Psalms 16:8–11(see also LXX)
- h v30 Literally on oath that He would place out of the fruit of his loins on his throne; BYZ and TR on oath out of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, to raise up Christ to sit on his throne; Psalm 132:11
- i v35 Psalms 110:1
- j v41 Literally about three thousand souls were added that day
- k v43 Or fear
- l v46 Literally the temple
Study notes on this chapter · 6
The Feast of Weeks and Pentecost
Fifty days after the firstfruits, Israel celebrated the Feast of Weeks with a new grain offering. Luke places the coming of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost, the Greek name for that feast. Jewish tradition also linked the feast with the giving of the law at Sinai, and many Christians see a pairing of law and Spirit, although Acts does not draw it out.
When: Leviticus (Sinai era); Pentecost, c. AD 30–33.
Ways people read this (3)
- The harvest of the Feast of Weeks foreshadows the first harvest of believers at Pentecost.
- Some see a contrast with Sinai: the law on stone and the Spirit in hearts (compare 2 Corinthians 3).
- The link to Sinai is attested in later rabbinic tradition, and may be later than Acts.
Editorial note by BibleWay. Interpretations vary; dates are approximate scholarly estimates.
You will not abandon me to the grave
David expresses confidence that God will not leave his soul in Sheol or let his holy one see decay. Peter and Paul argue that since David died and decayed, these words point beyond him to the resurrection of Jesus.
When: Written by David (c. 1000 BC); used in sermons in Acts, c. AD 30–47.
Editorial note by BibleWay. Interpretations vary; dates are approximate scholarly estimates.
David's throne established forever
Psalm 89 celebrates God's covenant with David, promising that his line and throne will endure as long as the heavens. Gabriel's announcement to Mary echoes the covenant: the Lord will give him the throne of his father David, and his kingdom will have no end. Peter and Paul also appeal to it in their sermons.
When: Psalm 89 (monarchy era, written in a time of crisis); Gabriel's announcement, c. 5 BC.
Editorial note by BibleWay. Interpretations vary; dates are approximate scholarly estimates.
Sit at my right hand
David writes, 'The LORD says to my Lord: Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.' Jesus uses this to raise the question of how the Messiah can be both David's son and David's Lord; Peter and Hebrews apply it to Jesus' exaltation.
When: Written by David (c. 1000 BC); quoted by Jesus in his final week (c. AD 30–33).
Editorial note by BibleWay. Interpretations vary; dates are approximate scholarly estimates.
The second gathering of the remnant
Isaiah says that in that day the Lord will a second time recover the remnant of his people from Assyria, Egypt, Cush and the islands of the sea. Ezekiel and Jeremiah also promise a regathering from all the nations. Readers disagree about whether these promises were fulfilled in the return from Babylon, are being fulfilled now, or have a spiritual fulfillment.
When: Isaiah, c. 740–700 BC; Ezekiel, c. 586–570 BC; returns from exile from 538 BC.
Ways people read this (4)
- Fulfilled in the return from Babylonian exile and scattered communities during the Persian and later periods.
- Being fulfilled in the gathering of Jewish people in modern times, or awaiting a future gathering (some dispensational and other readings).
- Fulfilled spiritually in the gathering of Jews and Gentiles into the church (covenant theology readings).
- Jewish tradition sees it as the ingathering of the exiles in the messianic age, and many see modern Israel in that light while others do not.
Editorial note by BibleWay. Interpretations vary; dates are approximate scholarly estimates.
I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh
Joel foretells the outpouring of God's Spirit on sons, daughters, young and old. On the day of Pentecost Peter says, 'This is what was uttered through the prophet Joel.'
When: Joel (date debated, c. 830–400 BC); Pentecost, c. AD 30–33.
Editorial note by BibleWay. Interpretations vary; dates are approximate scholarly estimates.