Acts 2:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.

NIV: When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.

NASB: When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.

CSB: When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place.

NLT: On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place.

KJV: And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

NKJV: When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

Just before Jesus ascended into heaven, He told His followers to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4–5). The eleven remaining apostles, along with the women who were so important to Jesus' ministry, Jesus' mother Mary, Jesus' brothers, and dozens of others, settle into the upper room of a house to pray and confer (Acts 1:12–15). For about nine days, they have little to do but praise God (Luke 24:52–53) and choose a successor to Judas (Acts 1:12–26). It's likely they are in this room when Acts 2 opens.

"All together" is from the Greek root word homou, related to the term homothymadon, translated "one accord" in Acts 1:14. Literally, it may mean "together in a group," but spiritually it refers to many individuals working together harmoniously. This attitude will characterize the church in Jerusalem for years to come. They will face many challenges including persecution (Acts 8:1), opposition from within (Acts 11:1–18; 21:17–24), and the inclusion of Gentiles who do not have the Jewish background the founding apostles do (Acts 15:1–35). In all these things, the leaders of the church of Jerusalem strive to maintain a unified front as they seek guidance from the Holy Spirit.

"Pentecost" is derived from the Greek word for "fiftieth." It falls seven weeks and one day—fifty days—after the sabbath that occurs during the weeklong Feast of Unleavened Bread. Pentecost is also called the "Feast of Weeks" because that same period is seven weeks or "a week of weeks." After Passover, Pentecost is the next major feast for which Jews from all over the Roman Empire will come to Jerusalem. It is given in the Mosaic Law in Leviticus 23:15–21 and Deuteronomy 16:9–12.

The Feast of Weeks is the second of three feasts that include a firstfruits offering. When people came to Jerusalem for Pentecost, they were to bring the first of their grain as a free-will offering. On this Pentecost, Jerusalem offers a kind of free-will offering to God as three thousand people believe in Jesus (Acts 2:41).

Acts 2:1–13 finds Jesus' followers waiting in a house in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Spirit, as Jesus instructed (Acts 1:4, 12–15). The Holy Spirit comes, not only establishing His presence in each individual permanently, but equipping them as needed to spread the news that Jesus forgives sins and reconciles sinners to God. Jews from all over the Roman Empire, in Jerusalem for Pentecost, hear the message in their own languages. Some are derisive, but others are very interested in what the apostles are saying.

Acts 2 describes the beginning of the church in three episodes. First, the Holy Spirit comes upon the Jesus-followers in Jerusalem, equipping them with the ability to teach the gospel in different languages (Acts 2:1–13). Second, Peter gives a public declaration using Old Testament prophecy to show Jesus is the long-awaited Jewish Messiah (Acts 2:14–36). Third, people believe. They repent, trust Jesus will forgive their sins, and agree to be baptized as a public sign that they are now Jesus-followers (Acts 2:37–47). That quickly, the church is born.

Acts 2 describes the creation of Jesus' church. Forty days after Jesus' resurrection He ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9). One hundred and twenty disciples obeyed His command to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4, 2–15). In Acts 2, they receive the Holy Spirit and share the gospel with a crowd of people who have come to celebrate Pentecost. Three thousand believe, and the church comes to life. In the following chapters, Jesus-followers fulfill Jesus' promise that they will be His witnesses ''in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth'' (Acts 1:8).

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.