Verse By Verse Through Acts

Chapter Two

Acts 2:1-4 “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

• Pentecost [πεντηκοστή] means: “fiftieth (from Passover, that is, the festival of “pentecost”: - Pentecost” (Strong’s # 4005). The Greek term is mentioned two other times in the New Testament (Acts 20:16 and I Corinthians 16:8).
• The Law of the 50th day (Leviticus 23:15-21 and Deuteronomy 16:1-12). That Law is no longer valid today (Romans 7:1-6, Ephesians 2:11-17, and Hebrews 9:15-10:22).
• “They” are the twelve Apostles (Acts 1:26). This is a relevant distinction because of vs. 4.
• Being in “one accord” means: “unanimously: - with one accord (mind)” (Strong’s # 3661). See: Acts 1:14, Acts 2:46, Acts 4:24, Acts 5:12, Acts 7:57, Acts 8:6, Acts 12:20, Acts 15:25, Acts 18:12, Acts 19:29, and Romans 15:6.
• Suddenly a sound from heaven like a mighty wind came and filled the house. There appeared among them "cloven tongues." Cloven meaning: “To partition thoroughly (literally in distribution, figuratively in dissension): - cloven, divide, part” (Strong’s # 1266). Otherwise translated “parted” (Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:24, etc.) or “divided” (Luke 11:17-18, Luke 12:52-53, etc.). Tongues means languages (Strong’s # 1100).
• Like as of fire (Matthew 3:11; cf. Jeremiah 23:29).
• They [the Apostles; Acts 1:2-8] were filled with the Holy Ghost (Exodus 31:1-11, Luke 4:1, Acts 1:5-8, Acts 4:8, Acts 4:31, Acts 6:3-8, Acts 7:51-60, Acts 11:22-24, and Ephesians 5:18). *Note: “Filled with” doesn’t mean a literal indwelling. For example, the same wording is in Ephesians 3:19 regarding being “filled with” the fulness of God.
• They spake with other tongues (Mark 16:15-20). *Later we will see this in a different way than tongues that needed interpreted (Acts 2:6; 2:11). Later passages will discuss circumstances where miraculous languages required interpretation for the audience present (cf. I Corinthians 12–14). Here in Acts 2, the languages were understood directly by the hearers from various nations.
• As the Spirit gave them utterance (Matthew 10:18-20; cf. I Corinthians 2:1-13, I Corinthians 14:37, II Timothy 3:15-17, and II Peter 1:20-21).
• The word translated “utterance” [ἀποφθέγγομαι] appears two other times in the New Testament (Acts 2:14) “said” and (Acts 26:25) “speak forth.” See Strong’s # 669.

• Jews from many lands were present at Jerusalem exactly when the gospel was first publicly proclaimed after Jesus had ascended into Heaven. People from far away worshipped in Jerusalem (Acts 8:27).
• “Devout” meaning: “taking well (carefully), that is, circumspect (religiously, pious): - devout” (Strong’s # 2126). Cf. Luke 2:25 and Acts 8:2
• The fact that they were devout does not necessarily mean receptive to the truth (Acts 13:50).

• “This was noised abroad” is in reference to the Apostles speaking in tongues (Acts 2:3-4).
• The multitude came together because of something to see and hear (cf. Mark 3:1-8, Luke 6:17, and Acts 5:12-16; cf. Mark 16:15-20).
• They were confounded, meaning: “(to pour) or its alternate; to commingle promiscuously, that is, (figuratively) to throw (an assembly) into disorder, to perplex (the mind): - confound, confuse, stir up, be in an uproar” (Strong’s # 4797). Also translated “confused” (Acts 19:32), “stirred up” (Acts 21:27), and “uproar” (Acts 21:31).
• As you proceed in the New Testament, you find that those who spake in tongues generally were speaking languages they did not understand and the hearer did not understand without an interpreter (I Corinthians 14:1-28). Both were spiritual gifts (I Corinthians 12:10). This is completely different. Each hearer was hearing his or her own language, distinct from the languages heard by others. When we get further in the context we will see how diverse this was (Acts 2:9-11).

• Miracles caused amazement (Matthew 12:22-23, Mark 2:1-12, Mark 5:35-42, etc.).
• This reaction continues in this context (Acts 2:12).
• They marveled at what they saw. This reaction is not new for those witnessing miracles (Matthew 9:33).
• They were Galilaeans (Acts 1:11).
• Galileans were not generally known for advanced education. In many Jewish circles, Galilee carried a somewhat unimpressive reputation (cf. John 1:46 and John 7:52). This made the ability of these men to speak the various languages represented even more remarkable.

• They heard in their “tongues” [language]. This goes back to what we read earlier in this chapter (Acts 2:4 and Acts 2:6).
• There were Jews and proselytes (Exodus 12:48-49 and Isaiah 56:3-6) from many nations present at this time. God had long ago promised to scatter the apostates of Israel (Leviticus 26:33). He did so many times.
• The various places are shown to indicate the vastness of differences in languages. Yet, they heard speech in their native tongue.
• They heard the “wonderful works of God” (cf. Psalms 111:4).

• As we’ve already read, they were amazed (Acts 2:7).
• We also find here that they were in “doubt.” The Greek word “διαπορέω” translated “doubt” is defined: “to be entirely at loss, to be in perplexity” (Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon; Strong’s # 1280). This term is also translated “perplexed” (Luke 9:7 and Luke 24:4). This best fits the statement following the term.
• They did not know what hearing these Galilaeans speaking in the tongues from where they were born meant. This is like what Peter experienced when he had a vision (Acts 10:9-17).

• The amazement and wondering about what was going on was not the only reaction. Here, there were mockers (cf. Mark 15:31).
• There will be mockers going forward too (Jude 1:17-18).
• A charge is made. This is a common tactic used by those seeking to discredit a speaker (cf. Mark 3:22, Luke 7:33, and Acts 26:24).

• Notice: “Peter, standing up with the eleven…” (Acts 2:37).
• Yes, “lifted up his voice” focuses on Peter. Yes, Peter is the one mostly being quoted (Acts 2:38-41). But, they were all engaged in teaching. Just don’t miss that. Much of what occurred is not recorded for us (cf. Acts 2:40). We should know that Scriptural accounts do not give us every detail (cf. John 21:24-25).
• He lifted up his voice (Isaiah 58:1).
• Hearken (cf. Isaiah 49:1).
• The appeal to reason is that it was too early in the day to assume these men were drunk. The third hour was just beyond early in the morning (Matthew 20:1-4).
• Typically, those who drink alcohol do so later in the night (I Thessalonians 5:7).

• The quote is from Joel (Joel 2:28-32). Peter identifies the events of Pentecost as the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy.
• The last days have been since this point in time (Hebrews 1:1-2 and I John 2:18).
• Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:12-13; cf. Mark 16:15-20).
• Wonders occurring (Acts 2:43).

• “Men of Israel” establishes who is being addressed (cf. Deuteronomy 27:14-15, I Samuel 8:22, Acts 3:12, Acts 5:35, and Acts 13:16).
• The Gospel was to be preached to the Jews first (Luke 24:47, Acts 1:8, and Romans 1:16).
• Jesus of Nazareth (Mark 1:9, John 19:19, Acts 4:10-12, and Acts 22:8).
• The evidence in miracles, wonders, and signs (Matthew 12:22-32, Luke 7:18-23, John 3:1-2, John 5:36, John 11:47, John 20:30-31, and Acts 10:37-39).
• There were false Christs who claimed divine authority and displayed signs and wonders (Matthew 24:24). The second beast [the false prophet] of Revelation performed miracles (Revelation 13:11-18).
• Jesus was different from the false Christs to those who looked closely (Matthew 3:17, Matthew 17:1-5, John 3:34-36, John 6:63, John 7:16-18, John 7:40-52, John 12:28-35, etc.). As Jesus taught, look at the fruit (Matthew 7:15-20).
• As the context continues, we will see that the evidence was more than the miracles, wonders, and signs. The Law, Psalms, and prophets served as evidence too (Luke 24:44).