Acts 2:7

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

And {G1161} they were {G1839} all {G3956} amazed {G1839} and {G2532} marvelled {G2296}, saying {G3004} one to another {G4314}{G240}, Behold {G2400}, are {G1526} not {G3756} all {G3956} these {G3778} which {G3588} speak {G2980} Galilaeans {G1057}?

Totally amazed, they asked, “How is this possible? Aren’t all these people who are speaking from the Galil?

Astounded and amazed, they asked, “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans?

And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying, Behold, are not all these that speak Galilæans?

Acts 2:7 captures the immediate, astonished reaction of the crowd in Jerusalem to the miraculous events of the Day of Pentecost. Following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the disciples began speaking in diverse languages, understood by the multitude of devout Jews from every nation gathered in the city.

Context of Acts 2:7

This verse is crucial in setting the scene for the early church's mission. The Day of Pentecost was a significant Jewish festival, and Jerusalem was bustling with pilgrims from across the Roman Empire and beyond (Acts 2:5). The sudden, audible manifestation of the Holy Spirit, enabling ordinary Galilean followers of Jesus to speak fluently in languages they had never learned, was utterly astounding. The crowd's question, "Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?", highlights their incredulity. Galileans were often perceived as provincial, less educated, and distinct from the sophisticated inhabitants of Judea, making their linguistic abilities even more inexplicable by natural means.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Amazement and Wonder: The words "amazed" (Greek: existanto) and "marvelled" (Greek: ethaumazon) convey a profound sense of shock and awe. This was not a minor surprise but a deeply unsettling and supernatural phenomenon that defied their understanding.
  • Miraculous Power of the Holy Spirit: The event unequivocally demonstrated the active presence and power of God's Spirit. It was a clear sign that something new and extraordinary was happening, fulfilling ancient prophecies about God pouring out His Spirit on all flesh (Acts 2:17, quoting Joel 2:28).
  • Breaking Barriers: The ability of Galileans to speak in the languages of the diverse crowd symbolized the breaking down of linguistic and cultural barriers. This foreshadowed the global reach of the Gospel, where the message of Christ would transcend all human divisions, as later seen in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19).

Linguistic Insights

The Greek terms existanto (amazed) and ethaumazon (marvelled) both convey intense astonishment. Existanto implies being "out of one's mind" with wonder, while ethaumazon speaks to a deep sense of admiration or bewilderment. The emphasis on "Galilaeans" is significant. Galilee was a region north of Judea, often viewed with a degree of disdain by the more educated Judeans. The question implicitly asks, "How can these unsophisticated Galileans be speaking in such diverse and complex languages?" This rhetorical question underscores the supernatural nature of the event, as their background offered no natural explanation for their newfound linguistic prowess.

Practical Application

Acts 2:7 reminds believers today of the supernatural power available through the Holy Spirit. It highlights that God often uses ordinary people in extraordinary ways to accomplish His purposes. The initial confusion and wonder of the crowd underscore the undeniable reality of God's work when He moves. For the church, this verse serves as a powerful reminder of the Holy Spirit's role in empowering evangelism and mission, enabling the message of salvation to reach every tongue and nation, just as it did on that first Pentecost in Jerusalem. It encourages us to expect and embrace God's surprising ways of working in the world.

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.

  • Acts 2:12

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

  • Acts 1:11

    Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

  • Acts 14:11

    And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.

  • Acts 14:12

    And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.

  • John 7:52

    They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.

  • Acts 3:10

    And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

  • Mark 2:12

    And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

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