Untitled Sermon (7)
Throughout the Bible, God’s Spirit empowers God’s people to live righteously and minister to others. Scripture often portrays this empowerment in dramatic ways, such as prophecy or miracles. Other times, the Spirit simply empowers God’s people to live their daily lives in a new way, with a new identity that honors God.
2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
CHAPTER 2
1. Was fully come (συμπληροῦσθαι). Used by Luke only. See on Luke 9:51. Lit., as Rev., margin, was being fulfilled. The day, according to the Hebrew mode, is conceived as a measure to be filled up. So long as the day had not yet arrived, the measure was not full. The words denote in process of fulfilment.
Pentecost. Meaning fiftieth; because occurring on the fiftieth day, calculated from the second day of unleavened bread. In the Old Testament it is called the feast of weeks, and the feast of harvest. Its primary object was to thank God for the blessings of harvest. See Deut. 16:10, 11.
With one accord (ὁμοθυμαδὸν). The best texts substitute ὁμοῦ, together. So Rev.
2. A sound (ἦχος). See on Luke 4:37.
Of a rushing mighty wind (φερομένης πνοῆς βιαίας). Lit., of a mighty wind borne along. Πνοή is a blowing, a blast. Only here and ch. 17:25. Rev., as of the rushing of a mighty wind.
The house. Not merely the room. Compare ch. 1:13.
Were sitting. Awaiting the hour of prayer. See ver. 15.
3. There appeared. See on Luke 22:43.
Cloven tongues (διαμεριζόμεναι γλῶσσαι). Many prefer to render tongues distributing themselves, or being distributed among the disciples, instead of referring it to the cloven appearance of each tongue. Rev., tongues parting asunder.
Like as of fire. Not consisting of fire, but resembling (ὡσεὶ).
It sat. Note the singular. One of these luminous appearances sat upon each.
4. Began. Bringing into prominence the first impulse of the act. See on began, ch. 1:1.
With other tongues (ἑτέραις γλώσσαις). Strictly different, from their native tongues, and also different tongues spoken by the different apostles. See on Matt. 6:24.
Gave (ἐδίδου). A graphic imperfect; kept giving them the language and the appropriate words as the case required from time to time. It would seem that each apostle was speaking to a group, or to individuals. The general address to the multitude followed from the lips of Peter.
Utterance (ἀποφθέγγεσθαι). Used only by Luke and in the Acts. Lit., to utter. A peculiar word, and purposely chosen to denote the clear, loud utterance under the miraculous impulse. It is used by later Greek writers of the utterances of oracles or seers. So in the Septuagint, of prophesying. See 1 Chron. 25:1; Deut. 32:2; Zech. 10:2; Ezek. 13:19.
5. Dwelling (κατοικοῦντες). Denoting an abiding; but here it must be taken in a wide sense, since among these are mentioned those whose permanent residence was in Mesopotamia, etc. See ver. 9.
Devout. See on Luke 2:25.
6. When this was noised abroad (γενομένης δὲ τῆς φωνῆς ταύτης). Wrong. Lit., And this sound having taken place. Rev., correctly, when this sound was heard. The sound of the rushing wind.
Were confounded (συνεχύθη). Lit., was poured together; so that confound (Latin, confundere) is the most literal rendering possible. Used only by Luke and in the Acts. Compare 19:32; 21:31.
Heard (ἤκουον). Imperfect, were hearing.
Language (διαλέκτῳ). Rather, dialect; since the foreigners present spoke, not only different languages, but different dialects of the same language. The Phrygians and Pamphylians, for instance, both spoke Greek, but in different idioms; the Parthians, Medes, and Elamites all spoke Persian, but in different provincial forms.
7. Amazed and marvelled (ἐξίσταντο καὶ ἐθαύμαζον). The former word denotes the first overwhelming surprise. The verb is literally to put out of place; hence, out of one’s senses. Compare Mark 3:21: “He is beside himself.” The latter word, marvelled, denotes the continuing wonder; meaning to regard with amazement, and with a suggestion of beginning to speculate on the matter.
Galilaeans. Not regarded as a sect, for the name was not given to Christians until afterward; but with reference to their nationality. They used a peculiar dialect, which distinguished them from the inhabitants of Judaea. Compare Mark 14:70. They were blamed for neglecting the study of their language, and charged with errors in grammar and ridiculous mispronunciations.
9. Parthians, Medes, and Elamites. Representing portions of the Persian empire.
Judaea. The dialect of Galilee being different from that of Judaea.
Asia. Not the Asiatic continent nor Asia Minor. In the time of the apostles the term was commonly understood of the proconsular province of Asia, principally of the kingdom of Pergamus left by Attalus III. to the Romans, and including Lydia, Mysia, Caria, and at times parts of Phrygia. The name Asia Minor did not come into use until the fourth century of our era.
10. Egypt. Where the Jews were numerous. Two-fifths of the population of Alexandria were said to have been Jews.
Cyrene. In Libya, west of Egypt.
Strangers (ἐπιδημοῦντες). See on 1 Pet. 1:1. Rev., rightly, sojourners.
11. Arabians. Whose country bordered on Judaea, and must have contained many Jews.
Speak (λαλούντων). Rev., rightly, gives the force of the participle, speaking.
Wonderful works (μεγαλεῖα). See on majesty, 2 Pet. 1:16. From μέγας, great. Rev., mighty works. Used by Luke only.
12. Were in doubt (διηπόρουν). Used by Luke only. See on Luke 9:7. Better, as Rev., perplexed.
13. Others (ἕτεροι). Of a different class. The first who commented on the wonder did so curiously, but with no prejudice. Those who now spoke did so in a hostile spirit. See on ver. 4.
Mocking (διαχλευάζοντες; so the best texts). From χλεύη, a joke. Only here in New Testament.
New wine (γλεύκους). Lit., “sweet swine.” Of course intoxicating.
14. Standing up (σταθεὶς). See on Luke 18:11; 19:8.
Said (ἀπεφθέγξατο). See on ver. 4. Better, Rev., spake forth. “This most solemn, earnest, yet sober speech” (Bengel).
Hearken (ἐνωτίσασθε). Only here in New Testament. From ἐν, in; and οὖς, the ear. Rev., give ear.
Words (ῥήματα). See on Luke 1:37.
15. Third hour. Nine in the morning: the hour of morning prayer. Compare 1 Thess. 5:7.
17. All flesh. Without distinction of age, sex, or condition.
Visions (ὁράσεις). Waking visions.
Dream dreams (ἐνύπνια ἐνυπνιασθήσονται). The best texts read ἐνυπνίοις, with dreams. The verb occurs only here and Jude 8. The reference is to visions in sleep.
19. I will shew (δώσω). Lit., I will give.
Wonders (τέρατα). Or portents. See on Matt. 11:20.
In addition to tracing the geographical outreach of the gospel, Luke wanted to mark the numerical growth of Christianity from the small beginning in the upper room in Jerusalem to a multitude of people that filled the Roman empire. He did this by inserting statistics and summaries at strategic intervals: “and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (2:41); “and the Lord added to the church daily” (2:47); “the number of the men was about five thousand” (4:4); “and believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women” (5:14); “and the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly” (6:7); “then … the churches … were multiplied” (9:31); “and a great number believed” (11:21); “but the word of God grew and multiplied” (12:24); “and so were the churches … increased in number daily” (16:5); and “so mightily grew the word of God and prevailed” (19:20). The reaction of the Thessalonian Jews to Paul’s missionary team serves as a fitting evaluation and illustration of the numerical growth: “These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also” (17:6).