Acts 2:12

And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

And {G1161} they were {G1839} all {G3956} amazed {G1839}, and {G2532} were in doubt {G1280}, saying {G3004} one {G243} to {G4314} another {G243}, What {G5101} meaneth {G2309}{G302}{G1511} this {G5124}?

Amazed and confused, they all went on asking each other, “What can this mean?”

Astounded and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

And they were all amazed, and were perplexed, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

Context of Acts 2:12

The verse Acts 2:12 KJV captures the immediate reaction of the diverse crowd gathered in Jerusalem for the Jewish Feast of Pentecost. This moment follows the dramatic outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and other disciples, as described in Acts 2:1-4. Suddenly, these Galilean believers began to speak in other tongues, languages understood by the multitude of devout Jews from "every nation under heaven" (Acts 2:5). The miraculous nature of hearing their own native languages spoken by these unlearned men created a profound sense of awe and bewilderment, setting the stage for Peter's powerful explanation.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Amazement and Wonder: The crowd's initial reaction is one of profound astonishment. They are confronted with a supernatural phenomenon that defies ordinary explanation. This divine manifestation is designed to capture attention and point to God's active presence.
  • Perplexity and Doubt: Beyond mere surprise, there is a deep sense of confusion and uncertainty. The question, "What meaneth this?" encapsulates their struggle to comprehend the unprecedented event. This perplexity highlights the human need for divine revelation and explanation when faced with God's extraordinary works.
  • The Supernatural Nature of God's Work: The scene underscores that the early church's birth was not a human initiative but a powerful, undeniable act of God. The Holy Spirit's arrival was accompanied by visible and audible signs, compelling recognition from even skeptics.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV translates two important Greek words here:

  • "Amazed" comes from the Greek word ekplēsso (ἐκπλήσσω), meaning to be utterly astonished, struck out of one's senses, or dumbfounded. It conveys a strong sense of wonder and awe, often mixed with an inability to process what is happening.
  • "In doubt" is from diaporeō (διαπορέω), which means to be utterly at a loss, completely perplexed, or in great uncertainty. It suggests a deep mental struggle to understand or decide, indicating more than simple curiosity but genuine bewilderment.

Together, these terms powerfully describe the crowd's intense reaction: they were not just surprised, but deeply unsettled and searching for an explanation for the miraculous gift of tongues they were witnessing.

Related Scriptures

  • This initial reaction of amazement and doubt directly precedes Peter's sermon, where he explains the events as a fulfillment of prophecy (Acts 2:14-36, particularly referencing Joel 2:28-32).
  • The confusion of the crowd contrasts with the clarity provided by Peter, demonstrating the need for apostolic teaching to interpret divine acts.
  • The event also echoes the promise of power for witness found in Acts 1:8, as the Spirit's outpouring immediately leads to a powerful proclamation of the Gospel.

Practical Application

Acts 2:12 reminds us that God's work often transcends human understanding. When confronted with spiritual phenomena or profound moves of God, an initial reaction of amazement or even confusion is natural. However, this verse also highlights the importance of seeking understanding and being open to divine explanation through the Word of God and Spirit-led teaching. Just as Peter provided clarity to the perplexed crowd, believers today are called to understand and articulate the truth of God's actions, guiding others from doubt to faith. It encourages us not to dismiss what we don't immediately comprehend but to ask, "What meaneth this?" and seek God's interpretation.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Luke 18:36

    And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.

  • Acts 17:20

    For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.

  • Luke 15:26

    And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.

  • Acts 10:17

    Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,

  • Acts 2:7

    And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

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