Acts 2:1-13
When the Spirit Came
1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
2Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
5Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.
6And when this sound rang out, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking his own language.
7Astounded and amazed, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?
8How is it then that each of us hears them in his own native language?
9Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome,
11both Jews and converts to Judaism; Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”
12Astounded and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
13But others mocked them and said, “They are drunk on new wine!”
Berean Standard Bible
On the day of Pentecost, the disciples are together when a sound like a rushing wind fills the house. Tongues like fire appear, and everyone is filled with the Holy Spirit. They begin speaking in other languages as the Spirit enables them.
And when this sound rang out, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking his own language.
People from many nations are in Jerusalem, and each hears the disciples declaring the mighty works of God in a language they understand. The miracle does not erase the nations; it makes the message audible across their differences.
Some are amazed. Others mock. The same event produces wonder in some listeners and dismissal in others.
The languages matter because the people in Jerusalem are not an anonymous crowd. Luke names regions across the eastern Mediterranean and beyond, and each group hears the disciples in the language learned at home. The Spirit does not make the listeners climb a cultural staircase before they can hear about God. He brings the message close enough to be understood.
The disciples also remain recognizably themselves: a gathered group suddenly speaking as the Spirit enables them. Their words are not a performance designed to draw attention to clever speakers. They declare God's mighty works, and the crowd must decide how to respond. Wonder can open a door, but it does not remove the need for honest listening.
Pentecost also marks the beginning of a public witness that will not stay inside one language or one people. The disciples do not control who is present or how each listener responds. They simply speak as the Spirit gives them words, and the crowd is invited to hear God's mighty works for itself.
Questions
1 What happened when the day of Pentecost came?
AnswerThe disciples were together and were filled with the Holy Spirit.
2 What did the Spirit enable them to do?
AnswerThey spoke in other languages.
3 Why was the crowd bewildered?
AnswerEach person heard the disciples speaking in his own language.
4 What were the disciples declaring?
AnswerThey were declaring the mighty works of God.
What This Means for Us
The Spirit's work moves the good news toward people who need to hear it. Ask how your household can speak about God's work clearly and respectfully to people who do not share your background.
Prayer
Holy Spirit, make us attentive to your work and courageous in our witness. Help us speak so that people can understand, and keep our words centered on God's mighty works. Amen.