Acts 2:15

KJV

For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is [but] the third hour of the day.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} these {G3778} are {G3184} not {G3756} drunken {G3184}, as {G5613} ye {G5210} suppose {G5274}, seeing {G1063} it is {G2076} but the third {G5154} hour {G5610} of the day {G2250}.

Complete Jewish Bible

“These people ar en’t drunk, as you suppose — it’s only nine in the morning.

Berean Standard Bible

These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It is only the third hour of the day!

American Standard Version

For these are not drunken, as ye suppose; seeing it is but the third hour of the day;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Acts 2:15, the Apostle Peter directly refutes the crowd's derisive accusation that the disciples, newly empowered by the Holy Spirit and speaking in diverse languages, were merely intoxicated. He strategically counters their misunderstanding by pointing to the early hour of the day, approximately 9:00 AM, a time when such public drunkenness would be culturally and religiously uncharacteristic, thereby setting the stage for his profound explanation of the miraculous events as a fulfillment of prophecy and the dawn of a new era.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 2:15 stands as a pivotal transition within the narrative of Pentecost. The preceding verses [Acts 2:1-4](/acts/2-1-4 "Acts 2:1-4 - The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit") describe the dramatic outpouring of the Holy Spirit, marked by the sound of a mighty rushing wind and tongues of fire resting upon the disciples, enabling them to speak in other tongues. This supernatural manifestation draws a vast crowd of devout Jews from every nation, who are astonished to hear the wonders of God declared in their native languages [Acts 2:5-11](/acts/2-5-11 "Acts 2:5-11 - Multitudes Hear in Their Own Tongues"). Amidst the amazement, some onlookers, unable to comprehend the divine phenomenon, resort to mockery, attributing the disciples' behavior to drunkenness, specifically being "full of new wine" [Acts 2:12-13](/acts/2-12-13 "Acts 2:12-13 - Amazement and Mockery"). Peter's statement in Acts 2:15 is his immediate, authoritative response to this accusation, serving as the opening salvo of his first Spirit-empowered sermon, which will go on to explain the events through the lens of Old Testament prophecy and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem during the Feast of Pentecost (Shavuot), one of the three major pilgrimage festivals for Jews, drawing thousands from across the Roman Empire and beyond. This festival commemorated the giving of the Law at Sinai and, later, the first fruits of the wheat harvest. Jewish daily life was structured around prayer times and social norms that strongly discouraged public intoxication, especially at early hours. The "third hour of the day" (approximately 9:00 AM) was a time when morning prayers were typically concluding, and people were beginning their daily work or business. For devout Jews, it would be highly unusual and socially unacceptable to be publicly drunk at this hour, making the accusation against the disciples particularly absurd and easily refutable by Peter. This cultural understanding underscores the logical force of Peter's argument.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 2:15 contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of Acts and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it highlights the **authenticity of divine manifestation** versus worldly influence. Peter sharply contrasts the Spirit's empowerment with mere human intoxication, emphasizing that the disciples' behavior is a supernatural work of God, not earthly indulgence. Secondly, the verse underscores the importance of **refuting false accusations** and defending the truth of the gospel. Peter's immediate and logical rebuttal sets an example for believers to stand firm against misunderstanding or slander. Thirdly, it subtly introduces the theme of **prophetic fulfillment**, as Peter's subsequent sermon will explain the Spirit's outpouring as the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy [Joel 2:28-32](/joel/2-28-32 "Joel 2:28-32 - Prophecy of the Spirit's Outpouring"). Finally, it emphasizes the **sovereignty and purpose of the Holy Spirit**, who empowers believers not for personal excess but for effective witness to Christ, as foreshadowed in [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to Witness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **drunken (Greek, _methýō'_):** From G3184, meaning "to drink to intoxication, i.e., get drunk." This word denotes ordinary human inebriation, implying a state of confusion and loss of control due to alcohol. Peter's use of this term, followed by a strong negation, directly challenges the crowd's worldly interpretation of a spiritual phenomenon, clearly distinguishing the Spirit's work from mere physical indulgence.
* **suppose (Greek, _hypolambánō'_):** From G5274, meaning "to take from below, i.e., carry upward; figuratively, to take up, i.e., continue a discourse or topic; mentally, to assume (presume)." In this context, it refers to the crowd's presumption or hasty judgment. They "supposed" or "assumed" the disciples were drunk based on their own limited understanding and perhaps a cynical disposition, rather than seeking a true explanation. Peter addresses their false premise directly.
* **hour (Greek, _hṓra'_):** From G5610, meaning an "hour" (literally or figuratively), also "day, instant, season, time." Combined with "third" (G5154, _trítos_) and "day" (G2250, _hēméra_), it specifies the precise time of day. Peter uses this concrete temporal detail as irrefutable evidence against the accusation, leveraging the common knowledge of daily routines and social norms to dismantle their baseless claim.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For these are not drunken":** Peter begins with a direct, emphatic denial of the accusation. The Greek particle "For" (G1063, _gár_) introduces the reason for his subsequent explanation, indicating that his statement is a logical response to the crowd's charge. He asserts that the disciples' state is decidedly *not* one of worldly intoxication.
* **"as ye suppose":** This clause directly addresses the crowd's faulty perception and judgment. Peter acknowledges their assumption but immediately dismisses it as a mere "supposition" or "presumption," highlighting the error in their reasoning rather than engaging in an emotional defense. It implies that their conclusion is based on an uninformed or biased interpretation.
* **"seeing it is but the third hour of the day":** This is the core of Peter's logical argument, providing the irrefutable evidence for his denial. The "third hour" (approximately 9:00 AM) was a time when devout Jews would be sober, having completed morning prayers, and certainly not engaged in public drunkenness. This cultural and temporal detail makes the accusation absurd and points to a supernatural explanation as the only viable alternative.

#### Literary Devices
Peter's statement in Acts 2:15 masterfully employs several literary devices. The primary device is **Rebuttal**, where Peter directly and forcefully counters the false accusation of drunkenness. This is a logical **Argumentation** based on **Circumstantial Evidence**: the time of day. He uses a form of **A fortiori** reasoning, implying "if even normal people aren't drunk at this hour, how much less would devout men be?" There is also a clear **Contrast** established between worldly intoxication and spiritual empowerment. By highlighting the early hour, Peter uses a form of **Understatement** or **Sarcasm** to expose the absurdity of the accusers' claim, making their misunderstanding seem foolish in light of common knowledge.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 2:15, though brief, is profoundly significant in its theological implications. It serves as a foundational statement distinguishing genuine spiritual manifestation from worldly excess or human delusion. Peter's immediate and logical defense underscores the biblical principle that true divine work, even when appearing extraordinary, is orderly and purposeful, not chaotic or irrational like drunkenness. It highlights the Spirit's role in empowering believers for clear, intelligible witness, even if the means (speaking in tongues) are miraculous. This verse also sets a precedent for the church's need to articulate and defend the truth of its experiences against skepticism and false accusations, grounding spiritual phenomena in both divine reality and discernible, often logical, evidence.

* [Ephesians 5:18](/ephesians/5-18 "Ephesians 5:18 - Be Filled with the Spirit")
* [1 Corinthians 14:23](/1_corinthians/14-23 "1 Corinthians 14:23 - Tongues and Unbelievers")
* [1 John 4:1](/1_john/4-1 "1 John 4:1 - Test the Spirits")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Peter's concise and powerful rebuttal in Acts 2:15 offers timeless lessons for believers today. In a world often quick to misinterpret or dismiss spiritual experiences, we are called to exercise discernment and to be prepared to articulate the truth of our faith with both clarity and conviction. This verse reminds us that the Holy Spirit's purpose is not to induce confusion or worldly excess, but to empower us for sober-minded witness and effective ministry. Just as Peter used a simple, undeniable fact (the time of day) to dismantle a baseless accusation, so too are we encouraged to ground our spiritual experiences in biblical truth and to live lives that commend the gospel, even when faced with skepticism or ridicule. It challenges us to reflect on the nature of true spiritual filling, which leads to greater clarity, purpose, and alignment with God's will, rather than any form of spiritual "intoxication" that might lead to disorder or disrepute.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I respond when my faith or spiritual experiences are misunderstood or falsely accused by others?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to "suppose" or make hasty judgments about others' spiritual manifestations?**
* **How does the Holy Spirit empower me for clear and effective witness in my daily life, contrasting with worldly influences?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my spiritual life is characterized by sobriety and order, reflecting the true nature of the Spirit's work?**

### FAQ
**Why was the "third hour of the day" (9:00 AM) significant in Peter's argument?**

Answer: The "third hour of the day" corresponds to approximately 9:00 AM in Jewish reckoning. This was a significant time because it was relatively early in the morning, a time when most people, especially devout Jews on a holy festival like Pentecost, would be sober and engaged in morning prayers or beginning their daily work. Public drunkenness at this hour would be highly unusual, socially unacceptable, and religiously inappropriate. By pointing to the time, Peter used a simple, undeniable cultural fact to expose the absurdity and baselessness of the accusation, making it clear that the disciples' behavior could not be attributed to ordinary intoxication.

**What was the "new wine" mentioned in the preceding verse (Acts 2:13), and why was it relevant to the accusation?**

Answer: In [Acts 2:13](/acts/2-13 "Acts 2:13 - Mockery of New Wine"), some mockers suggested the disciples were "full of new wine" (Greek: _gleukos_). "New wine" referred to freshly fermented wine, which was known for its potent, intoxicating effects, often considered more powerful than aged wine. The accusation implied that the disciples had consumed this strong, new vintage to excess, leading to their seemingly erratic behavior (speaking in tongues). This specific accusation highlights the mockers' attempt to explain a supernatural event through a common, worldly lens, attributing it to a state of extreme drunkenness. Peter's rebuttal in [Acts 2:15](/acts/2-15 "Acts 2:15 - Peter's Rebuttal") directly addresses and dismisses this very specific charge.

**How does Peter's response in Acts 2:15 inform our understanding of authentic spiritual experiences today?**

Answer: Peter's response establishes a crucial principle: authentic spiritual experiences, while extraordinary, are not chaotic, irrational, or akin to worldly intoxication. He contrasts the Spirit's work with drunkenness, implying that the Holy Spirit brings clarity, purpose, and divine utterance, not confusion or loss of control. This informs us that genuine spiritual manifestations should align with biblical truth, promote order, and ultimately glorify God, rather than leading to behavior that could be mistaken for worldly excess or mental instability. It encourages discernment, reminding us to test all things and hold fast to what is good, as exhorted in [1 Thessalonians 5:21](/1_thessalonians/5-21 "1 Thessalonians 5:21 - Test Everything").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 2:15, while a direct rebuttal to a false accusation, deeply contributes to the Christ-centered narrative of the New Testament. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, which the crowd misinterpreted as drunkenness, was the direct fulfillment of Jesus' promise to His disciples that He would send the Helper [John 14:16-17](/john/14-16-17 "John 14:16-17 - Promise of the Helper"). This event was made possible by Christ's completed work on the cross, His resurrection, and His ascension to the right hand of God [Acts 2:33](/acts/2-33 "Acts 2:33 - Exalted to the Right Hand of God"). Peter's subsequent sermon, initiated by this very verse, immediately pivots to proclaim Jesus as Lord and Christ, demonstrating that the Spirit's primary work is to testify about and glorify Jesus [John 15:26](/john/15-26 "John 15:26 - The Spirit Testifies of Jesus"). Thus, the Spirit's indwelling and empowerment, which the disciples experienced, was not an end in itself but the means by which the resurrected Christ would continue His redemptive mission through His church, empowering them to be His witnesses "to the end of the earth" [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to Witness"). The Spirit's arrival marked the inauguration of the new covenant age, where God's law is written on hearts, and His presence indwells believers, all made possible through the atoning work of Jesus Christ.

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

1 Thessalonians 5:5

Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

1 Thessalonians 5:8

But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

1 Samuel 1:15

And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I [am] a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.

Matthew 20:3

And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,