Acts 2:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?

NIV: Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?

NASB: And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born?

CSB: How is it that each of us can hear them in our own native language?

NLT: and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages!

KJV: And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

NKJV: And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?

At the time of Jesus' earthly ministry, the residential population of Jerusalem is thought to be about 100,000. The Jewish calendar includes three feasts—Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles—which all Jewish men are to try to celebrate in Jerusalem. On those occasions, the population of Jerusalem swells to about a million people. This is why Jesus and the disciples slept on the Mount of Olives, outside the city, during the Passover (Luke 21:37).

These Jews and proselytes come from all over the Roman Empire including Africa, modern-day Asia Minor, modern-day Iran and Iraq, and Italy (Acts 2:9–11). Those from west of Judea probably all speak Greek and those from the east probably all speak some variant of Aramaic. But they most likely also have a local language they grew up with. So they are amazed to hear uneducated Galileans speaking those local dialects.

The understanding of what "speaking in tongues" means is a controversial topic today. Many think it is a special language that only God can understand. Passages like 1 Corinthians 14:2 seem to say speaking tongues is uttering "mysteries in the Spirit." This passage is clear that when someone is inspired by the Holy Spirit to speak in tongues, they are speaking an established, earthly language. First Corinthians 14:22 says, "tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers." So, tongues-speaking is for sharing the gospel and speaking God's truth to people who use that language.

This verse exemplifies the principle of the accommodation of God. In laymen's terms, it means "He meets us where we are." He knows we are "but dust and ashes" (Genesis 18:27). He is infinite and His ways and thoughts are higher than we could ever reach (Isaiah 55:9). Like a parent who teaches her child to read using simple children's books, God speaks to us in ways we can more easily understand. Here, God doesn't force the varied audience to hear the gospel in Greek or Aramaic, which may be their second or third language. He reaches them at their most personal level, showing them that the gospel is for them in their culture and in their homes. In addition, the miracle of the disciples using tongues validates their message as having come from God.

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.