From heaven a sound for a sound from heaven, A.V.; as of the rushing of a for as of a rushing, A.V. All the house; showing that it was in a private dwelling, not in the temple (as in Acts 3:1 ) that they were assembled (see Acts 2:46 ). Perhaps the word "church" ( ὁ κυριακὸς οἷκος ) derives its use from these early meetings of the disciples in a house, as distinguished from the temple ( τὸ ἱερὸν ). read more
Tongues parting asunder for cloven tongues, A.V.; each one for each, A.V. There appeared. They had heard the sound, now they see the tongues of fire, and then they feel the Spirit working in them (see Acts 2:34 ). Tongues parting asunder . The idea of the cloven tongue, i.e. a tongue parted into two, which is thought to have been the origin of the miter, is not suggested either by the Greek or by the circumstances, and is clearly a mistaken one. διαμεριζόμεναι means ... read more
Spirit for Ghost, A.V. Other tongues ( 1 Corinthians 14:21 ; Isaiah 28:11 ); the same as the "new tongues" of Mark 16:17 . St. Paul speaks of them as "the tongues of men and of angels" ( 1 Corinthians 13:1 ), and as "kinds of tongues" ( 1 Corinthians 12:10 ). His habitual phrase is "speaking in [or with ] a tongue [or tongues ]" ( 1 Corinthians 14:2 , 1 Corinthians 14:4-6 , etc.), and the verb is always λαλεῖν , as here. What these tongues were on this occasion... read more
Baptism of the Holy Ghost. Connect with facts; the position and responsibilities of the Church, the promise given, the antecedent state of the world, the need of a Divine power for the mission of grace, the importance of such a miracle for the confirmation of faith and the establishment of Christianity, the uplifting of the agents above natural infirmities, errors, and sins. I. A GREAT EPOCH in human history. World filled with many things—thoughts, speculations, strivings, powers;... read more
The great lesson of the Pentecost. It seems a strange thing that our Lord, when preparing his disciples for the coming of the Spirit, should set a higher value on that Spirit's work than on the continuance of his own ( John 16:7-11 ). The only satisfactory explanation is this—that the Spirit's work was the continuance of his own. It continued that Divine presence which was essential to the stability and culture of the disciples; for both while he lived among men and when he passed... read more
Now for and, A.V. ; from for out of, A.V. Dwelling ; either Jews come up for the feast, or perhaps rather domiciled at Jerusalem from motives of piety. read more
The amazement of the multitude. I. WONDER IS CAUSED BY ANY BREAK IN THE REGULAR ORDER AND CUSTOM OF THE WORLD . It is so in the kingdom of nature, and here in that of spirit. The country-folk of Galilee were least of all likely to acquire the power to speak the tongues of nations with which they were seldom or never in contact. And here unlettered men are found speaking the tongues of ancient and cultivated peoples. It is a type and prophecy of what the... read more
Spiritual facts in a world unprepared to receive them. I. DEVOUT MEN may still be living at a very low point of spiritual apprehension and experience ( Acts 2:5 ). To many conscientious and sober-minded people the manifestations of the Spirit a perplexity. Hence the importance of a progressive faith, a praying and expectant attitude. Religion apt to grow stagnant and perfunctory. II. The MULTITUDE will be startled by that which comes from heaven. They need to be roused and... read more
Men's attitudes toward things beyond explanation. There are marked differences in the dispositions of men. At first sight the differences may seem to be so many and so great, that it is hopeless to attempt any classification of them. And yet, in the relations in which dispositions stand to revealed truth and the mysterious, there is a simple division, and a repetition of characteristic attitudes in each age. Observe the peculiar phenomena here, which tested the dispositions of the crowding... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 2:1-41
The day of Pentecost, and its immediate gifts. " And when the day of Pentecost … And the same day there were added about three thousand souls." The day of Pentecost is emphatically the complement of the great days of the New Testament. The visible glories of this day are the fitting sequel, the almost natural sequel, of the more veiled glories of certain days that had preceded it. The heavenly luster and music of the day of incarnation, unique as they were, reached the eye and ear of but... read more