Acts 2:8

KJV

And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} how {G4459} hear {G191} we {G2249} every {G1538} man in our {G2257} own {G2398} tongue {G1258}, wherein {G1722}{G3739} we were born {G1080}?

Complete Jewish Bible

How is it that we hear them speaking in our native languages?

Berean Standard Bible

How is it then that each of us hears them in his own native language?

American Standard Version

And how hear we, every man in our own language wherein we were born?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 2:8 captures the profound astonishment of the diverse crowd gathered in Jerusalem for Pentecost, as they witnessed Galilean disciples speaking fluently in the native languages of various nations. This verse highlights the miraculous nature of the Holy Spirit's outpouring, where each individual heard the gospel message in their own "tongue," underscoring God's immediate and personal communication with humanity across linguistic barriers.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 2:8 is situated within the dramatic narrative of Pentecost, following the powerful descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and other believers in [Acts 2:1-4](/acts/2-1-4 "The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit"). This divine empowerment enabled them to speak in "other tongues." Immediately preceding this verse, the text describes a large, international crowd of devout Jews who had gathered in Jerusalem for the Feast of Weeks. Upon hearing the commotion, they converged and were utterly bewildered, marveling that these Galileans were speaking in their native languages, as articulated in [Acts 2:6-7](/acts/2-6-7 "The Crowd's Astonishment"). The question posed in Acts 2:8 is the culmination of their initial shock and confusion, setting the stage for Peter's Spirit-empowered sermon that follows, beginning in [Acts 2:14](/acts/2-14 "Peter's Pentecost Sermon").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The event takes place during the Jewish Feast of Pentecost (Shavuot), one of the three major pilgrimage festivals, which drew devout Jews from across the Roman Empire and beyond to Jerusalem. This explains the presence of the "every nation under heaven" mentioned in [Acts 2:5](/acts/2-5 "Nations Present at Pentecost"). The Roman Empire was a melting pot of cultures and languages, with Aramaic and Greek being common lingua francas, but local dialects and native tongues were still deeply ingrained in people's identities. For these pilgrims, hearing their specific regional language spoken by Galileans—who were often looked down upon for their provincial dialect—was not just surprising but deeply personal and religiously significant. This linguistic diversity underscored the universal reach of God's message, breaking through the barriers of a fragmented world.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully contributes to several key themes in Acts. Firstly, it exemplifies **Divine Empowerment**, showcasing the immediate and tangible effect of the Holy Spirit's indwelling, enabling ordinary believers to transcend natural limitations for God's purposes. This was not mere ecstatic utterance but intelligible communication in diverse human languages, serving as a clear sign. Secondly, it highlights the **Universal Reach of the Gospel**, demonstrating that the message of salvation in Christ is intended for all peoples, regardless of their linguistic or ethnic background, anticipating the global mission of the church as prophesied by Jesus in [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "The Great Commission in Acts"). Finally, the event serves as a **Miraculous Sign**, drawing attention to God's active presence and validating the apostles' message. This undeniable miracle compelled a diverse audience to listen to Peter's sermon, leading to the conversion of thousands, as recorded in [Acts 2:41](/acts/2-41 "Three Thousand Converted").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **hear (Greek, _akoúō'_):** G191; A primary verb meaning "to hear" in various senses, including to give audience, come to the ears, hearken, be noised, be reported, or understand. In this context, it emphasizes the active and clear perception of sound, indicating that the crowd did not just hear noise, but understood intelligible speech in their own languages.
* **tongue (Greek, _diálektos'_):** G1258; From _dialégomai_ (to converse); refers to a mode of discourse, specifically a "dialect" or distinct language. This word is crucial as it clarifies that the miracle involved actual, identifiable human languages, not an unintelligible spiritual language. It underscores the precise nature of the communication, directly addressing the native linguistic identity of the listeners.
* **born (Greek, _gennáō'_):** G1080; From a variation of _génos_ (race, kin); to procreate, bear, beget, or be born. Here, it refers to the place or language in which one was born, emphasizing the deep, innate connection between an individual's identity and their native language. Hearing the gospel in the language "wherein we were born" made the message profoundly personal and accessible to each listener.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And how hear we":** This opening phrase expresses profound astonishment and incredulity. It is a rhetorical question, not seeking an answer, but conveying the utter bewilderment of the crowd. They are not asking *how* it is physically possible, but rather expressing their shock that such an unprecedented event is occurring. It highlights the unexpected and supernatural nature of the phenomenon.
* **"every man in our own tongue":** This clause emphasizes the individual and personal nature of the miracle. "Every man" (G1538, _hékastos_) signifies that the experience was tailored to each person present from the diverse nations. The phrase "our own tongue" (G2257, _hēmōn_ + G2398, _ídios_ + G1258, _diálektos_) underlines that the language heard was their specific, native dialect, deeply familiar and personally resonant, rather than a generic or foreign language.
* **"wherein we were born?":** This concluding phrase deepens the personal connection, linking the language directly to their place of origin and identity. The language of one's birth is often the most fundamental and intimate form of communication. For the message of God to be heard in this most personal of ways underscored its divine origin and its universal, yet individually tailored, relevance.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Rhetorical Question**, "And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?" This question is not posed to elicit information but to express the profound astonishment, incredulity, and wonder of the crowd. It emphasizes the inexplicable nature of the miracle from a human perspective. There is also an element of **Irony** at play: uneducated Galileans are speaking in sophisticated foreign languages, while the educated, diverse crowd, who *should* understand these languages, are utterly baffled by *how* it is happening. Furthermore, the event itself functions as a powerful **Symbolism**, representing a reversal of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11), where language was divided to scatter humanity. Here, language is miraculously bridged to unite humanity under the gospel, foreshadowing the global reach of the church. The phrase "every man" also carries a subtle **Hyperbole**, indicating a vast and representative diversity rather than a literal enumeration of every single individual present.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 2:8 is a pivotal moment in salvation history, marking the inauguration of the church's global mission. Theologically, it demonstrates God's profound desire for all humanity to hear and understand His truth. The miracle of Pentecost, with its reversal of linguistic barriers, signifies the breaking down of divisions that separate people, mirroring the reconciling work of Christ on the cross. It underscores that the Holy Spirit empowers believers not only for personal transformation but also for effective, cross-cultural witness. This event foreshadows the ultimate gathering of a redeemed people "from every tribe and language and people and nation" before God's throne, united by the gospel.

* [Genesis 11:7-9](/genesis/11-7-9 "The Confusion of Tongues at Babel"): The miraculous speaking in tongues at Pentecost directly contrasts the division of languages at Babel, symbolizing God's work of reuniting humanity through the Spirit.
* [Mark 16:17](/mark/16-17 "Signs Following Believers"): Jesus promised that believers would "speak with new tongues," a prophecy fulfilled dramatically at Pentecost, serving as a powerful sign to unbelievers.
* [Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "A Multitude from Every Nation"): This vision of a great multitude from "every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages" worshiping God finds its prophetic roots in the universal scope of the Pentecost miracle.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The miracle of Acts 2:8 profoundly reminds us that God is deeply committed to communicating His truth in a way that is accessible and personal to every individual. Just as the Holy Spirit enabled the disciples to transcend linguistic barriers, He continues to empower believers today to share the gospel effectively across cultural divides. This calls the church to prioritize clarity and contextualization in its communication, ensuring that the message of Christ resonates deeply with diverse audiences, whether through translation, cultural sensitivity, or simply clear, understandable language. It challenges us to move beyond our comfort zones and embrace God's global vision for humanity, recognizing that the Spirit breaks down walls, not builds them. Our mission is to ensure that "every man" can hear the "wonderful works of God" in a way that speaks directly to their heart and identity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might we, as individuals or as the church, inadvertently create linguistic or cultural barriers that hinder others from hearing the gospel clearly?**
* **How does the miracle of Pentecost inspire our efforts in global missions and cross-cultural evangelism today?**
* **How can we rely on the Holy Spirit to empower our communication of the gospel, even when facing significant differences in background or understanding?**
* **What does it mean for us to hear God's truth "in our own tongue" today, and how does that personal resonance motivate our faith?**

### FAQ
**What was the nature of the "tongues" spoken on the Day of Pentecost?**

Answer: The "tongues" spoken on the Day of Pentecost, as described in [Acts 2](/acts/2 "The Day of Pentecost"), were actual, discernible human languages or dialects. The Greek word used, _diálektos_ (G1258), specifically refers to a distinct language or manner of speech belonging to a particular region or people. The astonishment of the crowd stemmed from hearing Galileans speaking fluently in the native languages of Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and many others listed in [Acts 2:9-11](/acts/2-9-11 "Nations Present and Languages Heard"). This was not an unintelligible ecstatic utterance, but a miraculous ability to communicate the "wonderful works of God" in languages previously unknown to the speakers, making the gospel immediately accessible to a diverse international audience.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The miracle of Pentecost, highlighted in Acts 2:8, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which enabled this miraculous multilingual communication, was the direct fulfillment of Christ's promise to His disciples before His ascension, as recorded in [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "The Great Commission in Acts") and [John 14:16-17](/john/14-16-17 "Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit"). Jesus, through His death and resurrection, secured the gift of the Spirit, who then empowered His followers to extend His redemptive message to "the ends of the earth." The breaking down of linguistic barriers at Pentecost is a powerful demonstration of Christ's work to dismantle all dividing walls between humanity, as described in [Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Christ Our Peace"), creating one new humanity united in Him. The diverse multitude hearing the gospel in their own tongues points to Christ as the universal Savior, whose sacrifice is sufficient for all peoples, tribes, and nations, gathering them into His one body, the Church, under His headship. This event initiates the global mission commissioned by Christ in [Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "The Great Commission"), ensuring that every person, in their own unique context, can hear and respond to the good news of salvation through Him.

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.