Acts 2:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven.

NIV: Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.

NASB: Now there were Jews residing in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven.

CSB: Now there were Jews staying in Jerusalem, devout people from every nation under heaven.

NLT: At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem.

KJV: And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

NKJV: And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.

It is the first Pentecost in Jerusalem since Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. Days ago, He ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9). Moments ago, His followers received the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1–4) as He had promised (John 16:7). They are now, suddenly, speaking several different languages they've never learned.

During the three main Jewish feasts—Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles—Jerusalem's population of 100,000 is joined by about 900,000 Jews from different countries (Acts 2:9–11). In addition, it is custom, if one can manage it, for elderly Jews to emigrate to Jerusalem so they can die on Jewish soil. And so, Jerusalem is filled with synagogues that cater to specific groups, whether Freedmen, Cyrenians, Alexandrians, or Cilicians (Acts 6:9). Some speak Aramaic, some speak Greek, but one of the reasons for the different synagogues is so they can communicate freely in the regional language of their upbringing.

"Devout" is from the Greek root word eulebēs; it means "pious and dutiful." This covers religiously observant Jews as well as proselytes (Acts 2:11). A proselyte is a Gentile who worships the Jewish God in the Jewish way, to the point that he agrees to become circumcised. When applied to a Gentile, "devout" or "righteous" may mean he follows Judaism but is not circumcised.

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.