Bible Commentaries
Acts 2

Verse 1

Pentecost ; this signifies the fiftieth, and was the name of the feast which was celebrated on the fiftieth day from the second day of the Jewish passover.

Verse 3

Cloven tongues like as of fire ; in the form of tongues divided, and in appearance like fire, which rested upon each of the apostles.

Verse 4

Filled with the Holy Ghost ; received his miraculous gifts.

Speak with other tongues ; in various other languages, which they had not before known. When Christians are united in waiting upon God by prayer and supplication, they may expect in due time to receive abundantly of his blessings; and to be furnished by his Spirit for the various duties to which they are called.

Verse 5

Dwelling ; sojourning during the feast of Pentecost.

Every nation ; a general expression for people of various countries, as mentioned in ver Acts 2:9-11 .

Verse 6

The multitude-were confounded ; astonished, and thrown into great perplexity.

Verse 8

How hear we ; we Parthians, Medes, and Elamites hear each in his own tongue.

Verse 10

Proselytes ; Gentiles who had been converted to the Jewish religion.

Verse 11

The wonderful works of God ; with respect to his Son.

Verse 13

Opposers of the work of God show the weakness and wickedness of their cause, by the measures which they adopt, and the means they use to support it. When drunkenness shall teach men new languages, opposers of the gospel may be wise; till then they will be, in the sense of the Bible, fools.

Verse 14

The eleven ; the eleven apostles.

Verse 15

The third hour ; nine o’clock in the morning, too early for them to be affected with strong drink. This was also the hour of morning worship, and devout Jews were not accustomed to take food or drink till after that time.

Verse 16

This is that ; a fulfilment of Joel 2:28-32 . Peter does not quote the exact words of Joel, but the sense.

Verse 17

Last days ; in the time of the Messiah; under the gospel dispensation.

See visions-dream dreams ; these are mentioned as among the ways in which God reveals his will to men. Matthew 2:13 .

Verse 18

Shall prophesy ; proclaim the will of God, and make known future events. Acts 21:9-11 .

Verse 19

I will show wonders ; such as are described, or referred to, in Matthew 24:29-42 ; Luke 21:25-36 .

Verse 20

Sun-turned into darkness ; the sun and moon were emblems of the civil government of the Jews, which should be overthrown and destroyed before that great and notable day, when the Lord should appear for the salvation of his friends and the destruction of his enemies. Compare notes to Matthew, chap Matthew 24:1-51 .

Verse 21

Call on the name of the Lord ; Romans 10:12-14 ; 1 Corinthians 1:2 ; 2 Timothy 2:22 . Prayer to God is as important to every individual as the salvation of his soul.

Verse 23

Him , being delivered ; Matthew 24:46 ; Matthew 26:53-56 ; Luke 22:22 ; John 18:37 ; John 19:11 . Men may be very guilty in accomplishing what God has purposed. Genesis 50:20 ; Isaiah 10:5-7 ; Acts 4:27-28 .

Verse 24

It was not possible ; that Jesus should continue in the grave, consistently with the fulfilment of God’s determination to raise him up, as foretold by David. Psalms 16:8-11 .

Verse 25

Him ; the Messiah.

I foresaw the Lord ; saw the Lord before my eyes, as an object of continual trust.

Verse 26

In hope ; in hope of a resurrection, without corruption in the grave.

Verse 27

Hell ; this word here does not mean, as it often does, the place of endless torment; but the place or state of the dead.

Thy Holy One ; Jesus Christ.

Verse 28

Full of joy ; the joy of the Messiah, in view of his certain resurrection and ascension to heaven.

Verse 30

Sworn with an oath ; 2 Samuel 7:12-29 ; Psalms 89:3-4 ; Psalms 89:35-37 ; Psalms 132:11 ; Luke 1:32-33 .

Of the fruit of his loins ; of his descendants.

To sit on his throne ; rule over the people of God.

Verse 31

David in the Psalms often spoke of himself in language which applied also to Jesus Christ; the Holy Ghost thus spoke by him, and made known what should take place in future times. Psalms 22:1-31 ; Psalms 110:1-7 .

Verse 33

The promise ; John 14:26 ; John 15:26 ; John 16:7 ; John 16:13-15 .

This ; their power to speak in various languages.

Verse 34

Sit thou on my right hand ; be exalted, and thine enemies all subdued. Psalms 110:1 ; Matthew 22:42-46 .

Verse 36

House of Israel ; the Jewish nation.

Lord ; Joh 17:2 ; 1 Corinthians 8:6 ; Ephesians 1:20-23 .

Verse 37

Heard this ; that they had crucified the Messiah, the Lord of glory.

Pricked in their heart ; convicted of sin and deeply distressed.

What shall we do? to be saved from the guilt and punishment of sin. When the Holy Ghost accompanies the preaching of the gospel he convinces men of their sins, and leads them to ask, "What must we do to be saved?" And when they are instructed what to do, he inclines them to do it.

Verse 38

Repent ; hate and forsake sin.

Be baptized ; in profession of their faith in Christ, and their consecration to his service.

The gift of the Holy Ghost ; the Holy Spirit, to enlighten their minds, purify their hearts, and fit them to know and do the will of God.

Verse 39

The promise ; the promised influences of the Holy Spirit, and of pardon and salvation through repentance and faith in the Redeemer.

Afar off ; distant nations, Gentiles as well as Jews.

Shall call ; by the preaching of his gospel, and leading them to embrace it.

Verse 40

Save yourselves ; by forsaking your sins and believing on the Messiah, deliver yourselves from the guilt and ruin of this perverse and wicked generation. Matthew 11:16-19 ; Matthew 12:39 ; Matthew 16:4 ; Matthew 23:34-38 . It is the duty of men to save themselves from eternal ruin by repenting of their sins, believing on Jesus Christ, and privately and publicly consecrating themselves to his service.

Verse 41

They that gladly received his word ; they who believed what Peter had said, and were disposed to comply with his directions.

Were added ; added to the company of believers.

Verse 42

Continued steadfastly ; in their attendance upon, reception of, and obedience to the teaching of the apostles; in Christian communion with one another, and united prayer and supplication for blessings on themselves and their fellow-men.

Verse 43

Fear came ; on account of the great things which God had done and enabled the apostles to do.

Verse 44

All things common ; so far as their mutual wants required. They did not establish a community of goods by any formal arrangement, but in the fulness of Christian love the rich sold their possessions and goods, that distribution might be made to such as needed aid.

Verse 46

They , continuing ; unitedly to frequent the temple at the daily hours of prayer, and joyful partaking of bread at each other’s houses, with sincere and upright hearts.

Verse 47

Favor with all ; general favor.

The church ; the company of believers.

Saved ; from eternal ruin, through repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ. When Christians manifest that they are sincere and earnest in the cause of Christ; are united in affections and efforts; are joyful in the Lord, and strive to do good as they have opportunity to all, it may be expected that religion will prosper, and many be added to the church of such as shall be saved.