Acts 2:9

Translations

Modern

Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,

Traditional

Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,

Literal

Parthians and Medes and Elamites; and those inhabiting Mesopotamia, also Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,

Latin

Parthi, et Medi, et Ælamitæ, et qui habitant Mespotamiam, Judæam, et Cappadociam, Pontum, et Asiam,

Original

Greek

English

Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,

Notes

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).

Theme notes and profiles

Simon Peter Babel: The Dispersion of Nations The Spirit’s Presence

Events

The Holy Spirit comes

Related verses

1 Peter 1:1
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the elect who are exiles of the Dispersion throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen
Revelation 1:4
John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from Him who is and was and is to come, and from the seven spirits before His throne,
Acts 18:2
There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to visit them,
2 Timothy 1:15
You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.
Acts 16:6
After the Holy Spirit had prevented them from speaking the word in the province of Asia, they traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia.
Acts 19:31
Even some of Paul’s friends who were officials of the province of Asia sent word to him, begging him not to venture into the theatre.
Genesis 14:1
In those days Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim
Isaiah 11:11
On that day the Lord will extend His hand a second time to recover the remnant of His people from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.
2 Kings 17:6
In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and carried away the Israelites to Assyria, where he settled them in Halah, in Gozan by the Habor River, and in the cities of the Medes.
Acts 6:9
But resistance arose from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and men from the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. They disputed with Stephen,
Acts 19:10
This continued for two years, so that everyone who lived in the province of Asia, Jews and Greeks alike, heard the word of the Lord.
Genesis 24:10
Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed with all manner of good things from his master in hand. And he set out for Nahor’s hometown in Aram-naharaim.

Parallels

Genesis 11:1–9 Leviticus 23:15–22

People

Parthians: People group present at Pentecost

Places

Asia: A Roman province in western Asia Minor Cappadocia: Region in Asia Minor; home to early Christian believers Elam: Ancient kingdom east of Babylon; ally and enemy of Israel Judea: The southern region of Israel, centered around Jerusalem Media: An ancient kingdom; part of the Persian Empire Mesopotamia: The region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers Pontus: A region in Asia Minor with Jewish inhabitants

Glossary

Asia Baptism of the Spirit Book of the Acts of the Apostles Cappadocia Dispersion of the Jews, Diaspora Elam (Place), Elamites God, Being and Attributes of Inn Jesus Christ Judaizers Lord’s Supper, the Medes, Media, Median Mesopotamia Parthia, Parthians Paul the Apostle Peter, First Letter of Peter, the Apostle Phrygia Pontus Prophecy Repentance Spirit of God Tongues, Speaking in Travel

Topics

Asia: Inhabitants of, in Jerusalem, at Pentecost Cappadocia: The Easternmost Province of Asia Minor Elam: A District Southeast of Babylon, on Persian Gulf: Jews From Elamites: Present at Pentecost Feasts: (Instituted by Moses): Aliens (Non-Jews) Were Permitted to Attend Language: Many Spoken at Jerusalem Language: Parthian and Other Lands Language: Power of Speaking Different: Necessary to Spread of the Gospel Mesopotamia: People of, Present at Pentecost Orator: The Apostles Parthians: The Inhabitants of Parthia, a Country Northwest of Persia Pontus: A Province of Asia Minor Revivals: At Pentecost, and Times After Pentecost Select Readings: Peter on the Day of Pentecost Testimony: Religious, Exemplified the Anniversary Feasts were Seasons of The Jews Dispersed in Distant Parts often Attended Tongue: Gift of

Acts 2:9

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