Acts 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.

And {G2532} suddenly {G869} there came {G1096} a sound {G2279} from {G1537} heaven {G3772} as {G5618} of a rushing {G5342} mighty {G972} wind {G4157}, and {G2532} it filled {G4137} all {G3650} the house {G3624} where {G3757} they were {G2258} sitting {G2521}.

Suddenly there came a sound from the sky like the roar of a violent wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.

Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.

And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

Commentary

Context

The verse Acts 2:2 vividly describes the dramatic onset of the Day of Pentecost, a pivotal moment in Christian history. It follows immediately after the disciples, numbering about 120, were gathered together "with one accord in one place" (Acts 2:1). This event marks the powerful fulfillment of Jesus's promise to send the Holy Spirit to empower His followers (Acts 1:8), enabling them to be His witnesses. It signifies the birth of the New Testament church and the commencement of the age of the Spirit, fulfilling prophecies from the Old Testament concerning the outpouring of God's Spirit upon all flesh (Joel 2:28-29).

Key Themes

  • Divine Manifestation: The "sound from heaven" signifies a direct, unmistakable, and supernatural intervention from God. It was not a natural occurrence but a powerful sign accompanying the Spirit's arrival, demonstrating God's active presence.
  • The Holy Spirit's Arrival: This verse portrays the initial, audible manifestation of the Holy Spirit's outpouring. The sound of a "rushing mighty wind" preceded the visual "cloven tongues as of fire" seen in Acts 2:3, creating an atmosphere of awe and expectation.
  • Power and Pervasive Presence: The description "as of a rushing mighty wind" emphasizes the immense power and pervasive presence of the Holy Spirit. This was a forceful, divine energy that completely "filled all the house where they were sitting," indicating that the Spirit's influence was comprehensive and encompassing, affecting every individual present.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "wind" in Acts 2:2 is pnoē (πνοή), which literally means "a blast," "a breath," or "a strong current of air." This is a significant choice, as it is distinct from anemos (ἄνεμος), the more common Greek word for an ordinary wind. The term pnoē is closely related to pneuma (πνεῦμα), which is the Greek word for "Spirit" or "breath." This linguistic connection powerfully reinforces the idea that this sound was a divine breath, directly signifying the arrival of the Holy Spirit. This imagery echoes Old Testament instances where God's "breath" (Spirit) brought life, such as when God breathed life into Adam (Genesis 2:7) or when the Spirit brought life to the dry bones in Ezekiel's vision (Ezekiel 37:9-10).

Significance and Application

Acts 2:2 encapsulates the dramatic and undeniable way God inaugurated the age of the Holy Spirit, empowering His church for its global mission. For believers today, this verse serves as a profound reminder that the Holy Spirit is a powerful, active, and transformative presence in the lives of individuals and the church.

  • It underscores the importance of unity and expectancy in the body of Christ, as the disciples were gathered in one accord.
  • It illustrates that God's work can be sudden, overwhelming, and perceptible, bringing spiritual power that enables believers for bold witness and effective service.
  • The filling of "all the house" symbolizes the pervasive and encompassing nature of the Spirit's work, affecting every person present and preparing them for the challenges and opportunities of spreading the Gospel. This initial powerful experience laid the foundation for the boldness and rapid growth of the early church.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Acts 4:31

    And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

  • 1 Kings 19:11

    And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; [but] the LORD [was] not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; [but] the LORD [was] not in the earthquake:

  • Psalms 18:10

    And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.

  • John 3:8

    The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

  • Acts 16:25

    ¶ And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

  • Acts 16:26

    And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.

  • Ezekiel 37:9

    Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.
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