Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Acts 2:14
14-21. Peter, standing up with the eleven—in advance, perhaps, of the rest. read more
14-21. Peter, standing up with the eleven—in advance, perhaps, of the rest. read more
15. these are not drunken—meaning, not the Eleven, but the body of the disciples. but the third hour—nine A.M. (see Ecclesiastes 10:16; Isaiah 5:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:17). read more
14-21. Peter, standing up with the eleven—in advance, perhaps, of the rest. read more
5. The birth of the church 2:1-41The Holy Spirit’s descent on the day of Pentecost inaugurated a new dispensation in God’s administration of the human race. [Note: For more information about the dispensations, see Charles C. Ryrie, Dispensationalism Today, or idem, Dispensationalism.] Luke featured the record of the events of this day to explain the changes in God’s dealings with humankind that followed in the early church and to the present day. This was the birthday of the church. Many... read more
A. The founding of the church 1:1-2:47In his account of the founding of the Christian church Luke gave background information that ties Jesus’ giving of the Great Commission to the day of Pentecost. He showed how Jesus enabled His disciples to obey His command to evangelize the nations. read more
The amazement of the onlookers 2:5-13 read more
Unable or unwilling to accept the miraculous working of God in their midst some observers charged that the believers were under the control of wine rather than the Holy Spirit (cf. Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 14:23). The Greek word for wine here (gleukous) means sweet wine, which had a higher alcoholic content than regular wine. [Note: Blaiklock, p. 58.] read more
Peter, again representing the apostles (cf. Acts 1:15), addressed the assembled crowd. He probably gave this speech in the Temple outer courtyard (the court of the Gentiles). He probably spoke in the vernacular, in Aramaic or possibly in Koine (common) Greek, rather than in tongues. Peter had previously denied that he knew Jesus, but now he was publicly representing Him. The apostle distinguished two types of Jews in his audience: native Jews living within the province of Judea, and all who... read more
Peter’s defense 2:14-21 read more
Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 2:16
Acts 2:16. This is that which was spoken, &c.— Respecting this remarkable prophesy, we refer to the notes on Joel 2:28; Joe 2:32 just observing, that if this miraculous effusion of the Holy Spirit had not been foretold, the argument for the truth of Christianity from it, would have been fully conclusive; but as it was referred to in the Old Testament, it might dispose the minds of the Jews still more to regard it, as it was indeed the more remarkable. The reader will not omit to compare the... read more