TRV
See on the biblical-era map
Study This Verse
Commentary on Acts 2 verses 5–13
We have here an account of the public notice that was taken of this extraordinary gift with which the disciples were all on a sudden endued. Observe,
I. The great concourse of people that there was now at Jerusalem, it should seem more than was usual at the feast of pentecost. There were dwelling or abiding at Jerusalem Jews that were devout men, disposed to religion, and that had the fear of God before their eyes (so the word properly signifies), some of them proselytes of righteousness, that were circumcised, and admitted members of the Jewish church, others only proselytes of the gate, that forsook idolatry, and gave up themselves to the worship of the true God, but not to the ceremonial law; some of those that were at Jerusalem now, out of every nation under heaven, whither the Jews were dispersed, or whence proselytes were come. The expression is hyperbolical, denoting that there were some from most of the then known parts of the world; as much as ever Tyre was, or London is, the rendezvous of trading people from all parts, Jerusalem at that time was of religious people from all parts. Now, 1. We may here see what were some of those countries whence those strangers came (Act 2:9-11), some from the eastern countries, as the Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and dwellers in Mesopotamia, the posterity of Shem; thence we come in order to Judea, which ought to be mentioned, because, though the language of those in Judea was the same with that which the disciples spoke, yet, before, they spoke it with the north-country tone and dialect (Thou art a Galilean, and thy speech betrays thee), but now they spoke it as correctly as the inhabitants of Judea themselves did. Next come the inhabitants of Cappadocia, Pontus, and that country about Propontis which was particularly called Asia, and these were the countries in which those strangers were scattered to whom St. Peter writes. Pe1 1:1. Next come the dwellers in Phrygia and Pamphylia, which lay westward, the posterity of Japhet, as were also the strangers of Rome; there were some also that dwelt in the southern parts of Egypt, in the parts of Libya about Cyrene; there were also some from the island of Crete, and some from the deserts of Arabia; but they were all either Jews originally, dispersed into those countries; or proselytes to the Jewish religion, but natives of those countries. Dr. Whitby observes that the Jewish writers about this time, as Philo and Josephus, speak of the Jews as dwelling every where through the whole earth; and that there is not a people upon earth among whom some Jews do not inhabit. 2. We may enquire what brought all those Jews and proselytes together to Jerusalem at this time: not to make a transient visit thither to the feast of pentecost, for they are said to dwell there. They took lodgings there, because there was at this time a general expectation of the appearing of the Messiah; for Daniel's weeks had just now expired, the sceptre had departed from Judah, and it was then generally thought that the kingdom of God would immediately appear, Luk 19:11. This brought those who were most zealous and devout to Jerusalem, to sojourn there, that they might have an early share in the kingdom of the Messiah and the blessings of that kingdom.
II. The amazement with which these strangers were seized when they heard the disciples speak in their own tongues. It should seem, the disciples spoke in various languages before the people of those languages came to them; for it is intimated (Act 2:6) that the spreading of the report of this abroad was that which brought the multitude together, especially those of different countries, who seem to have been more affected with this work of wonder than the inhabitants of Jerusalem themselves.
1.They observe that the speakers are all Galileans, that know no other than their mother tongue (Act 2:7); they are despicable men, from whom nothing learned nor polite is to be expected. God chose the weak and foolish things of the world to confound the wise and mighty. Christ was thought to be a Galilean, and his disciples really were so, unlearned and ignorant men.
2.They acknowledge that they spoke intelligibly and readily their own language (which they were the most competent judges of), so correctly and fluently that none of their own countrymen could speak it better: We hear every man in our own tongue wherein we were born (Act 2:8), that is, we hear one or other of them speak our native language. The Parthians hear one of them speak their language, the Medes hear another of them speak theirs; and so of the rest; Act 2:11, We do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. Their respective languages were not only unknown at Jerusalem, but probably despised and undervalued, and therefore it was not only a surprise, but a pleasing surprise, to them to hear the language of their own country spoken, as it naturally is to those that are strangers in a strange land. (1.) The things they heard the apostles discourse of were the wonderful works of God, megaleia tou Theou - Magnalia Dei, the great things of God. It is probable that the apostles spoke of Christ, and redemption by him, and the grace of the gospel; and these are indeed the great things of God, which will be for ever marvellous in our eyes. (2.) They heard them both praise God for these great things and instruct the people concerning these things, in their own tongue, according as they perceived the language of their hearers, or those that enquired of them, to be. Now though, perhaps, by dwelling some time at Jerusalem, they were got to be so much masters of the Jewish language that they could have understood the meaning of the disciples if they had spoken that language, yet, [1.] This was more strange, and helped to convince their judgment, that this doctrine was of God; for tongues were for a sign to those that believed not, Co1 14:22. [2.] It was more kind, and helped to engage their affections, as it was a plain indication of the favour intended to the Gentiles, and that the knowledge and worship of God should no longer be confined to the Jews, but the partition-wall should be broken down; and this is to us a plain intimation of the mind and will of God, that the sacred records of God's wonderful works should be preserved by all nations in their own tongue; that the scriptures should be read, and public worship performed, in the vulgar languages of the nations.
3.They wonder at it, and look upon it as an astonishing thing (Act 2:12): They were all amazed, they were in an ecstacy, so the word is; and they were in doubt what the meaning of it was, and whether it was to introduce the kingdom of the Messiah, which they were big with the expectation of; they asked themselves and one another ti an theloi touto einai; - Quid hoc sibi vult? - What is the tendency of this? Surely it is to dignify, and so to distinguish, these men as messengers from heaven; and therefore, like Moses at the bush, they will turn aside, and see this great sight.
III. The scorn which some made of it who were natives of Judea and Jerusalem, probably the scribes and Pharisees, and chief priests, who always resisted the Holy Ghost; they said, These men are full of new wine, or sweet wine; they have drunk too much this festival-time, Act 2:13. Not that they were so absurd as to think that wine in the head would enable men to speak languages which they never learned; but these, being native Jews, knew not, as the others did, that what was spoken was really the languages of other nations, and therefore took it to be gibberish and nonsense, such as drunkards, those fools in Israel, sometimes talk. As when they resolved not to believe the finger of the Spirit in Christ's miracles, they turned it off with this, "He casteth out devils by compact with the prince of the devils;" so, when they resolved not to believe the voice of the Spirit in the apostles' preaching, they turned it off with this, These men are full of new wine. And, if they called the Master of the house a wine-bibber, no marvel if they so call those of his household.
Well then might they be in doubt: for never had the like occurred. Observe the ingenuousness of these men. They were amazed and were in doubt, saying, "What meaneth this?" But "others mocking said, 'These men are full of new wine'" and therefore mocked. O the effrontery! And what wonder is it? Since even of the Lord Himself, when casting out devils, they said that He had a devil! For so it is; wherever impudent assurance exists, it has but one object in view, to speak at all hazards, it cares not what; not that the man should say something real and relevant to the matter of discourse, but that he should speak no matter what. "They are full of new wine." Quite a thing of course, that men in the midst of such dangers, and dreading the worst, and in such despondency, have the courage to utter such things! And observe: since this was unlikely; because they would not have been drinking much at that early hour, they ascribe the whole matter to the quality of the wine, and say, "They are full" of it.
"And, they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine." O the excessive folly! O the excessive malignity! Why it was not even the season for that; for it was Pentecost. For this was what made it worse: that when those were confessing-men that were Jews, that were Romans, that were proselytes, yea perhaps that had crucified Him-yet these, after so great signs, say, "They are full of new wine!"
Continue studying Acts 2:12 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
CNTR CollationThe earliest Greek manuscripts of this verse, collated letter by letter.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
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. 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), 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, 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. 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) 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), and preparing the way for a message intended for "all nations" (Matthew 28:19).
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
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), 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.
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
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, 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). 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). 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), 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). 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.