Acts 2:12

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}?

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 2:12 captures the immediate, overwhelming reaction of the diverse crowd in Jerusalem to the miraculous outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. Confronted with Galilean disciples speaking in a multitude of foreign languages, the observers were plunged into a state of profound astonishment and deep perplexity, prompting them to question the meaning and source of this unprecedented divine phenomenon.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 2:12 is situated at a pivotal moment in the nascent church's history, immediately following the dramatic descent of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost as described in [Acts 2:1-4](/acts/2-1-4 "The Day of Pentecost and the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit"). The preceding verses detail the audible sign of a rushing mighty wind and the visible sign of cloven tongues of fire resting on each disciple, culminating in their speaking in other tongues "as the Spirit gave them utterance." This miraculous linguistic display, heard by "devout men, out of every nation under heaven" who were dwelling in Jerusalem ([Acts 2:5](/acts/2-5 "The Diverse Crowd in Jerusalem")), directly precipitates the crowd's reaction of amazement and doubt. Verse 12 thus serves as the immediate precursor to Peter's powerful sermon, which begins in [Acts 2:14](/acts/2-14 "Peter's Sermon on the Day of Pentecost"), providing the divine explanation for the astonishing events.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem during the Jewish Feast of Pentecost (Shavuot), one of the three major pilgrimage festivals, which drew Jews and proselytes from across the Roman Empire and beyond. This explains the presence of the "Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia..." mentioned in [Acts 2:9-11](/acts/2-9-11 "The Multitude of Languages Heard at Pentecost"). These pilgrims would have spoken various regional dialects and languages, making the apostles' ability to speak in each person's native tongue an undeniable and profoundly impactful miracle. The Jewish expectation of a Messiah and the prophetic promises of a new covenant and the outpouring of the Spirit (e.g., [Joel 2:28-29](/joel/2-28-29 "Joel's Prophecy of the Spirit's Outpouring")) would have been part of the cultural consciousness, even if not immediately recognized as fulfilled. The confusion of the crowd stemmed from the unprecedented nature of the event, which defied their ordinary understanding of spiritual manifestations or human capabilities.

* **Key Themes:** Acts 2:12 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Acts and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Initiative and Power**, demonstrating that the birth and expansion of the church are not human endeavors but a direct, supernatural work of God through the Holy Spirit. The initial confusion of the crowd highlights the theme of **Human Incomprehension and the Need for Divine Revelation**, underscoring that God's ways often transcend human logic and require spiritual discernment and authoritative teaching, which Peter subsequently provides. Furthermore, the linguistic miracle itself foreshadows the **Universal Scope of the Gospel**, breaking down linguistic and cultural barriers that were symbolically established at Babel ([Genesis 11:1-9](/genesis/11-1-9 "The Tower of Babel and the Confusion of Languages")), and preparing the way for a message intended for "all nations" ([Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "The Great Commission")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **amazed (Greek, _exístēmi'_):** From the root meaning "to stand out of," this word signifies being utterly astounded, struck out of one's senses, or dumbfounded. It conveys a profound sense of wonder and awe, often mixed with an inability to process or comprehend what is happening. The crowd was literally "beside themselves" with astonishment, indicating a reaction beyond mere surprise to a state of mental disequilibrium due to the supernatural display.
* **in doubt (Greek, _diaporéō'_):** Derived from a combination meaning "through" and "to be at a loss," this term describes a state of being thoroughly nonplussed, completely perplexed, or in great uncertainty. It suggests a deep mental struggle to understand or decide, indicating not just curiosity but genuine bewilderment and an inability to reconcile the observed phenomena with any known explanation.
* **meaneth (Greek, _thélō'_):** While often translated as "to wish" or "to desire," in this interrogative context, _thélō_ implies an active seeking of purpose or intent. The question "What meaneth this?" is not merely asking for a definition but for the underlying reason, the divine purpose, or the ultimate significance of the events unfolding before them. It reflects a desire to grasp the intention behind the miraculous outpouring.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they were all amazed,"**: This opening clause describes the initial, universal reaction of the diverse crowd. The Greek term for "amazed" (G1839, _exístēmi_) conveys a state of being "out of one's mind" or "beside oneself" with wonder. It emphasizes the overwhelming and inexplicable nature of the phenomenon they witnessed – Galileans speaking in the native languages of people from across the Roman world. This was not a mild surprise but a profound, almost disorienting, astonishment.
* **"and were in doubt,"**: Following amazement, the crowd entered a state of deep perplexity. The Greek word for "in doubt" (G1280, _diaporéō_) suggests being utterly at a loss, completely bewildered, and unable to find a solution or explanation. This indicates a cognitive dissonance, where their observations defied their understanding, leading to a profound sense of uncertainty and mental struggle to reconcile what they heard with what they knew.
* **"saying one to another,"**: This phrase highlights the communal nature of their reaction and the immediate need for discourse. The crowd was not silently pondering but actively engaging in conversation, seeking collective understanding. This indicates the widespread impact of the miracle and the shared dilemma it presented to the multitude. It underscores the human tendency to seek validation or explanation from peers when confronted with the extraordinary.
* **"What meaneth this?"**: This rhetorical question encapsulates the core of their bewilderment. It is a direct expression of their inability to comprehend the divine activity. The question is not merely one of curiosity but a desperate plea for an explanation, seeking the purpose, significance, or underlying cause of the miraculous speaking in tongues. It sets the stage perfectly for Peter's subsequent sermon, which provides the authoritative, Spirit-inspired answer to their profound inquiry.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative in Acts 2:12 employs several literary devices to heighten the dramatic impact and convey the profound significance of the Pentecost event. **Hyperbole** is evident in the phrase "they were all amazed," suggesting a widespread and intense reaction across the entire diverse crowd, even if not every single individual experienced it to the same degree. This emphasizes the undeniable and overwhelming nature of the miracle. The central question, "**What meaneth this?**" functions as a powerful **Rhetorical Question**, not merely seeking information but expressing profound bewilderment and setting a dramatic tension that demands an answer. This question also serves as a crucial element of **Narrative Foreshadowing**, directly leading into Peter's sermon, which will provide the divinely inspired explanation and resolve the crowd's perplexity. Furthermore, there is an element of **Dramatic Irony**, as the reader is already aware of the Holy Spirit's outpouring and the divine source of the phenomenon ([Acts 2:1-4](/acts/2-1-4 "The Coming of the Holy Spirit")), while the characters in the narrative remain confused, thus highlighting the need for divine revelation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 2:12 powerfully illustrates the initial human response to an undeniable divine intervention. The amazement and doubt of the crowd underscore the supernatural nature of the Holy Spirit's outpouring, demonstrating that the birth of the church was not a human initiative but a direct, astounding act of God. This moment highlights the theological truth that God's work often transcends human comprehension, necessitating a divine explanation. It foreshadows the ongoing need for apostolic teaching and biblical interpretation to understand God's actions and purposes, moving people from perplexity to faith. The very question "What meaneth this?" becomes a pivotal point, inviting the authoritative declaration of the Gospel that follows.

* [Joel 2:28-29](/joel/2-28-29 "Joel's Prophecy of the Spirit's Outpouring"): This Old Testament prophecy, quoted by Peter in his sermon, provides the divine explanation for the phenomena witnessed, directly answering the crowd's question.
* [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Jesus' Promise of Power for Witness"): Jesus' promise of power through the Holy Spirit for witness is visibly and audibly fulfilled at Pentecost, leading to the very confusion and subsequent inquiry in Acts 2:12.
* [Acts 2:37](/acts/2-37 "The Crowd's Conviction After Peter's Sermon"): The crowd's initial doubt and question are contrasted with their later conviction and inquiry ("Men and brethren, what shall we do?") after Peter's Spirit-empowered explanation, showing the transformative power of divine truth.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene in Acts 2:12 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. When confronted with God's extraordinary work, whether in personal experience, the church, or the world, an initial reaction of amazement or even confusion is natural. God's ways often transcend our rational frameworks, inviting us to move beyond mere intellectual assent to a deeper, Spirit-led understanding. This verse reminds us that genuine spiritual phenomena, while awe-inspiring, often provoke questions and even skepticism in those who witness them. Our response should not be to dismiss what we do not immediately comprehend, but to emulate the crowd's crucial inquiry: "What meaneth this?" This question, when asked with a humble and open heart, prepares us to receive divine revelation. It calls us to seek understanding through the Word of God, through Spirit-led teaching, and through prayer, allowing God to interpret His own powerful acts for us and for those around us. Just as Peter provided clarity to the perplexed multitude, believers today are called to be articulate witnesses, explaining the truth of God's actions and guiding others from doubt to faith through the power of the Gospel.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you typically react when confronted with something in your faith or in God's work that you don't immediately understand?**
* **In what ways does God's power or presence sometimes challenge your preconceived notions or comfort zones?**
* **How can we, like Peter, be prepared to offer a clear, Spirit-empowered explanation when others ask, "What meaneth this?" about God's activity in the world?**
* **What steps can you take to move from spiritual perplexity to deeper understanding and faith?**

### FAQ
**What was the specific "this" that amazed and confused the crowd in Acts 2:12?**

Answer: The "this" that amazed and confused the crowd was the miraculous phenomenon of the Galilean disciples speaking in various foreign languages, which were the native tongues of the diverse Jewish pilgrims gathered in Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost. As described in [Acts 2:4-8](/acts/2-4-8 "The Disciples Speak in Tongues"), the disciples, who were known to be from Galilee, suddenly began to speak in the languages of Parthia, Media, Elam, Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, Libya, Rome, Crete, and Arabia. This unexplainable linguistic ability, coupled with the audible signs of the Spirit's arrival, profoundly bewildered the onlookers.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 2:12, with its depiction of a bewildered crowd asking "What meaneth this?", finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which caused such astonishment, was not a random event but the direct fulfillment of Christ's promise to His disciples that He would send the Helper ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit")). This Spirit was poured out because Jesus had ascended to the right hand of God and received this gift from the Father, subsequently pouring it out upon His church ([Acts 2:33](/acts/2-33 "Peter's Explanation of Jesus' Exaltation")). Therefore, the "this" that the crowd questioned was, in essence, the visible and audible manifestation of Christ's exaltation and His ongoing work through His Spirit. The miracle of tongues, reversing the linguistic confusion of Babel ([Genesis 11:1-9](/genesis/11-1-9 "The Tower of Babel and the Confusion of Languages")), signifies the breaking down of barriers and the unification of all peoples under the Lordship of Christ, empowered by the Spirit to proclaim His gospel to the ends of the earth ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "The Great Commission and the Spirit's Power")). The answer to "What meaneth this?" is ultimately the triumphant reign of Christ, establishing His church and empowering it to bear witness to His saving power across every tongue, tribe, and nation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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?