Keraia
Acts 2

Acts 2:4

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

Modern
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Traditional
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Literal
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit was giving to them to declare forth.
Latin
…et repleti sunt omnes Spiritu Sancto, et cœperunt loqui variis linguis, prout Spiritus Sanctus dabat eloqui illis.

Original

Greek
English
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Notes

Acts 2:4

  • And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit: This event marks when the Holy Spirit came down from heaven. He filled the disciples, as Jesus had promised, to empower them as witnesses of Christ's resurrection (1:4–5, 8). The Spirit's wisdom, energy, and power enabled the church's work and witness (for example, 2:14–41, 43; 4:31; 9:17, 20; 13:9–12; see also Ephesians 5:18).

  • began to speak in other tongues: The Holy Spirit gave them the ability to communicate so people from other countries could hear about God's works in their own languages (Acts 2:6–11). This passage is one of several references to speaking in "other tongues" (see also 10:44–48; 19:6; 1 Corinthians 14:2–28, 39). This divine gift shows the energy of the presence of God's Spirit. This event marks the beginning of the gospel (the good news about Jesus) being announced to people from every nation.

Acts 2:1–4

Jews observed three traditional annual festivals. Many people traveled to the temple in Jerusalem for these feasts (see Leviticus 23:1–44):

  • The Feast of Unleavened Bread (which includes Passover)

  • The Feast of Weeks (also called Pentecost or the Feast of Harvest)

  • The Feast of Tabernacles

On Pentecost, Jewish people gathered in Jerusalem to thank God for the harvest and his blessings. At the same time, the disciples of Jesus gathered together in prayer with shared hope. Then the Holy Spirit came and filled the believers who were present.

Events

Parallels

Genesis 11:1–9 Leviticus 23:15–22

Glossary

Baptism of the Spirit Book of the Acts of the Apostles Feasts and Festivals of Israel God, Being and Attributes of Jesus Christ Lord’s Supper, the Parthia, Parthians Paul the Apostle Peter, the Apostle Prophecy Repentance Spirit of God

Topics

Apostles: Miraculous Power Given To Baptism of the Holy Spirit Baptism with the Holy Spirit: Typified Charism: An Inspired Gift, Bestowed on the Apostles and Early Christians Christian Minister: Success Attending: Apostles Feasts: (Instituted by Moses): Aliens (Non-Jews) Were Permitted to Attend Holy Spirit: General Scriptures Concerning Jerusalem: Miraculous Gift of the Holy Spirit First Given At Language: Power of Speaking Different: Given on the Day of Pentecost Miracles: Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Poured out on the Day of Pentecost in Thirty A. D Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Poured out on the Day of Pentecost Orator: The Apostles Power: Spiritual Receiving the Holy Spirit Revivals: At Pentecost, and Times After Pentecost Select Readings: Peter on the Day of Pentecost Testimony: Religious, Exemplified The Apostles: The Holy Spirit Given To Tongue: Gift of Utterance Worship: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To