Acts 2:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome,

NIV: Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome

NASB: Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,

CSB: Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts),

NLT: Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome

KJV: Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,

NKJV: Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,

About 900,000 Jews have come to Jerusalem from all over the Roman Empire and the Middle East to celebrate Pentecost. On the day of the celebration, they're astounded to find 120-or-so Galileans speaking in the visitors' native dialects. Luke mentions the general areas from which these travelers came, starting with the Middle East and modern-day Asia Minor in Acts 2:9. Here, he continues.

Phrygia is an amorphous geographical area with ever-changing borders west of central modern-day Asia Minor. Sometimes Asia, the large province to the west, claimed it, and sometimes Galatia, the large province to the east, claimed it. At the time of Paul's travels, it seems to have been somewhat split, with some regions being considered "Asia," and others not (Acts 16:6).

Pamphylia is easier to recognize as it is along the southern-central shore of modern-day Asia Minor. Today, it is home to the Turkish resort town Antalya. In the time of Luke, it was convenient because it is directly north of Alexandria, Egypt. Rome depended on the grain from Egypt; great ships would sail north from Alexandria to Pamphylia and then west to Italy (Acts 27:6).

Luke's list, "Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia" (Acts 2:9–10) swoops from eastern present-day Asia Minor, up across the north, down the west coast, and to the southern coast. He skips southeastern Cilicia and central Galatia, but the overall effect is that the entire peninsula is included.

Egypt and Libya encompass much the same territories they do today in the eastern half of the northern coast of Africa. Alexandria in Egypt was home to the largest Jewish community in the world. Cyrene is known as the hometown of Simon who helped Jesus carry His cross (Luke 23:26).

Finally, Luke skips over Greece and Macedonia, which have minimal Jewish settlements, and mentions Rome. It's unclear what effect the Pentecost event has on the Jews in Rome. Priscilla and Aquila are from Rome and meet Paul in Corinth (Acts 18:2), but the text doesn't say if they were Christians before they met Paul. Years later, when Paul finally reaches Rome and starts his first Roman imprisonment, he meets with the Jewish leaders from the synagogue. They know of "The Way," and know that many speak against it, but beyond that, they don't seem to know what it's about (Acts 28:17–22). Judaism, however, did spread among the Gentiles in Rome.

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.