FocusUtterance and public response
Connection to the wholeThe gathered believers are filled with the Holy Ghost and speak with other tongues, drawing a crowd whose questions lead into Peter's explanation.
interpretation Acts 2:4
KJVAnd they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Read it in context
The Holy Ghost is poured out
Start reading at Acts 2:1 (Acts 2:1 to Acts 2:13).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The gathered believers are filled with the Holy Ghost and speak with other tongues, drawing a crowd whose questions lead into Peter's explanation.
- 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.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Luke, the physician and companion of Paul, is the traditional author of Acts and the Gospel of Luke. Biblical references: Acts 1:1; Luke 1:3; Colossians 4:14. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? The gathered disciples receive the Holy Ghost. Devout Jews dwelling in Jerusalem, from many nations, gather and hear them speaking in their own languages. Passage: Acts 2:1–13. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Theophilus, the same named recipient as Luke's Gospel, with the account also serving the wider Christian readership. Biblical references: Acts 1:1; Luke 1:3. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? The Holy Ghost is poured out. Read Acts 2:1 through Acts 2:13 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The gathered believers are filled with the Holy Ghost and speak with other tongues, drawing a crowd whose questions lead into Peter's explanation. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? Acts begins after Jesus' resurrection and follows the witness through Pentecost, expansion among peoples, and Paul's arrival in Rome. It does not give a final publication date. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The movement extends from Jerusalem through Judea and Samaria toward wider regions and Rome, as announced in Acts 1:8. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The Holy Ghost is poured out (Acts 2:1 to Acts 2:13). Start reading at Acts 2:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The risen Jesus commissions the witnesses, and their preaching centers on Him. The accounts include repentance, baptism in Jesus' name, and reception of the Holy Ghost; keep the details and order stated for each event. See Acts 1:8, Acts 2:38, Acts 10:44, Acts 10:48, Acts 19:5, Acts 19:6. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Compare conversion accounts carefully, preserving what each one actually narrates. Do not invent an omitted detail or flatten every episode into an identical sequence. interpretation
Cited: Acts 2:1, Acts 2:13, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:38, Acts 10:44, Acts 10:48, Acts 19:5, Acts 19:6
Who wrote it, and how we know
Luke
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book opens by referring to the author's former treatise to Theophilus, tying it to Luke, and shifts into first-person plural in the travel accounts.
Acts 1:1Acts 16:10
Early traditionEarly testimony names Luke.
What is debatedThe name is not in the text.
Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment
The notes distinguish explicit fulfillment statements from other explicit New Testament applications. They do not assume every detail of the surrounding prophecy has already been fulfilled.
The Spirit poured out
NT explicitly identifies fulfillment
- Old Testament: Joel 2:28–32
- New Testament: Acts 2:1–21 (current passage)
- New Testament: Acts 2:37–39
Peter explicitly identifies the Pentecost outpouring with Joel's words and then tells his hearers to repent and be baptized in Jesus Christ's name, with the promise of the Holy Ghost. This connection does not assume every cosmic sign in Joel occurred on that day.
Related passages
- filled Acts 1:5 Acts 4:8,31 Acts 6:3,5,8 Acts 7:55 Acts 9:17 Acts 11:24 Acts 13:9,52 Luke 1:15,41,67
- began Acts 2:11 Acts 10:46 Acts 19:6 Isa 28:11 Mark 16:17 1 Cor 12:10,28-30 1 Cor 13:1,8 1 Cor 14:5
- as Exod 4:11-12 Num 11:25-29 1 Sam 10:10 2 Sam 23:2 Isa 59:21 Jer 1:7-9 Jer 6:11 Ezek 3:11
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Time covered by Acts
About 30 years
- AD 30 or 33Approximate beginning · Acts 1
The risen Jesus instructs His apostles
Acts begins after Jesus’ resurrection and describes His ascension. - About AD 62Approximate ending · Acts 28
Paul teaches while confined in Rome
The account closes with Paul receiving visitors and teaching during two full years in his rented lodging.
The narrative moves from Jerusalem to Rome over roughly three decades. Chapters do not represent equal amounts of time.
View historical notes and sources
Using a beginning in AD 30 or 33 and an ending around AD 62 gives approximately 29–32 years. These are reconstructed dates for the events, not a date for the writing of Acts. The book does not explicitly total its elapsed years.
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Acts 2
Acts addresses Theophilus as a continuation of the earlier account and follows the witnesses empowered by the Holy Ghost. Acts 1:8 supplies an important geographical frame: Jerusalem, Judaea and Samaria, and the uttermost part of the earth.
Peter explains the event
Acts 2:14–36FocusProphecy, resurrection, and Jesus' lordship
Connection to the wholePeter connects the event with Joel and proclaims Jesus' resurrection and exaltation, bringing his hearers to recognize the seriousness of their response to Him.
interpretation The hearers ask what to do
Acts 2:37–41FocusRepentance, baptism, and the promise
Connection to the wholePeter answers the convicted hearers with repentance and baptism in Jesus Christ's name for remission of sins and the promise of the Holy Ghost.
interpretation The life of the new community
Acts 2:42–47FocusTeaching, fellowship, and shared care
Connection to the wholeThose who receive the word continue in the apostles' doctrine and common life, showing the ongoing setting of the church after their initial response.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Acts
Acts addresses Theophilus as a continuation of the earlier account and follows the witnesses empowered by the Holy Ghost. Acts 1:8 supplies an important geographical frame: Jerusalem, Judaea and Samaria, and the uttermost part of the earth.
FocusWitness begins
Connection to the wholeJesus' promise, the coming of the Holy Ghost, Peter's preaching, and the hearers' response establish the beginning of the church's witness.
interpretation Witness and opposition in Jerusalem
Acts 3:1–7:60FocusBoldness, order, and rejection
Connection to the wholePublic testimony and growth are accompanied by internal needs and increasing opposition, culminating in Stephen's death.
interpretation The witness moves outward
Acts 8:1–12:25FocusSamaria, Saul, and Gentile hearers
Connection to the wholePersecution scatters believers; new fields open, Saul is called, and the reception of Gentiles becomes a matter publicly explained to the church.
interpretation Mission and the Gentile question
Acts 13:1–15:35FocusChurches established and the council
Connection to the wholeThe first missionary journey and the Jerusalem deliberation address the place of Gentile believers without making circumcision the entrance requirement.
interpretation Further journeys and growing churches
Acts 15:36–21:16FocusStrengthening and expanding witness
Connection to the wholePaul and his companions travel through new regions and revisit churches, moving toward the journey to Jerusalem despite coming danger.
interpretation Arrest, hearings, and Rome
Acts 21:17–28:31FocusTestimony through imprisonment
Connection to the wholePaul's custody becomes a setting for witness before authorities and brings him to Rome, where the account closes with continued proclamation.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.