Keraia
Acts 2

Acts 2:11

The Holy Spirit at Pentecost · Acts 2:1–13
Read Acts 2

Translations

Modern
…both Jews and converts to Judaism; Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”
Traditional
Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
Literal
…both Jews and converts; Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the great things of God!”
Latin
Judæi quoque, et Proselyti, Cretes, et Arabes: audivimus eos loquentes nostris linguis magnalia Dei.

Interlinear

Greek
English
…both Jews and converts to Judaism; Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”

Notes

Acts 2:10–11

converts to Judaism: See study note on 13:43.

Acts 2:9–11

  • The Parthians came from the region between the Tigris River and India.

    The Medes, now known as Kurds, were from Media, located east of Mesopotamia and north of the Persian Gulf.

    The Elamites were from Elam. This area is now in Iran, north of the Persian Gulf and just east of the Tigris River.

    Mesopotamia was between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

    Judea was well known as the Jewish homeland.

    Cappadocia, Pontus, and Asia were Roman provinces in Asia Minor, now part of Turkey (see 1 Peter 1:1). The apostle Paul later taught and preached in some of these areas (see Acts 16:6; 19:10, 26).

    Phrygia and Pamphylia were districts in Asia Minor that Paul later visited (13:13; 18:23).

    Egypt had a large Jewish population, especially in Alexandria (see 18:24).

    North Africa included Libya and Cyrene.

    Rome was the capital of the Roman Empire and home to thousands of Jews.

    The Cretans were from the island of Crete, located south-southeast of Greece.

    The Arabs were from the area south and east of Jerusalem.

  • Including all of these nations demonstrates how God intended the gospel to reach the ends of the earth (1:8).

Acts 2:5–11

Since Pentecost was a feast people had to travel to attend, Jews from every nation were in Jerusalem (see study note on 2:1–4). They could hear the gospel (the good news about Jesus) in their own languages. The gospel is for all people (2:38–39).

Events

Parallels

Genesis 11:1–9 Leviticus 23:15–22

People

Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province

Places

Arabia: A region and its inhabitants, mentioned in various contexts Caphtor: Island home of the Philistines; visited by Paul

Glossary

Baptism of the Spirit Book of the Acts of the Apostles Cappadocia Dispersion of the Jews, Diaspora God, Being and Attributes of Inn Jesus Christ Judaizers Lord’s Supper, the Parthia, Parthians Paul the Apostle Peter, the Apostle Phrygia Prophecy Prophet, Prophetess Repentance Spirit of God Tongues, Speaking in Travel

Topics

Arabians: Gospel Preached To Crete: Character of the Inhabitants of Feasts: (Instituted by Moses): Aliens (Non-Jews) Were Permitted to Attend Gospel: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Language: Kinds of, Mentioned: Arabic Language: Many Spoken at Jerusalem Language: Parthian and Other Lands Language: Power of Speaking Different: Necessary to Spread of the Gospel Orator: The Apostles Revivals: At Pentecost, and Times After Pentecost Select Readings: Peter on the Day of Pentecost Symbols and Similitudes of the Holy Spirit: Cloven Tongues Testimony: Religious, Exemplified the Anniversary Feasts were Seasons of The Jews Dispersed in Distant Parts often Attended Tongue: Gift of