Acts 2:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

NIV: Some, however, made fun of them and said, 'They have had too much wine.'

NASB: But others were jeering and saying, 'They are full of sweet wine!'

CSB: But some sneered and said, "They're drunk on new wine."

NLT: But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, 'They’re just drunk, that’s all!'

KJV: Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

NKJV: Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”

Jews have come from the Middle East and the Roman Empire to Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost, but one crowd is getting more than they expected—a group of Galileans speaking in the crowd's individual native dialects (Acts 2:5–11). The members of the crowd seem to have one of two reactions.

Some are "amazed and perplexed" (Acts 2:12). Naturally, they're curious as to how Galileans could speak languages native to places as varied as Alexandria, Rome, and Mesopotamia. Like the many crowds Jesus encountered in His ministry, they want to hear more.

Others immediately dismiss the phenomenon. They mock the Jesus-followers, saying they are drunk. "New wine" isn't the same as the new wine mentioned in Mark 2:22. The term is from the Greek root word gleukos which literally means "sweet drink" or grape juice. At the time of Pentecost, there is no "new wine." The grape and olive harvests haven't started, yet, and the newest wine is almost ten months old. This is a derogatory dismissal with no real basis.

The disciples who have traveled with Jesus are used to this. After performing miracles around the Sea of Galilee, scribes from Jerusalem declared Jesus' power came from Satan. Jesus pointed out that since He was working against Satan, this wouldn't be a very good strategy (Mark 3:22–27). Jesus has prepared His disciples for this reaction. He explained that His message is hard to hear (Matthew 10:34–39). They will be persecuted (Matthew 10:16–23). But if they are preaching His message and the people reject it, they are rejecting Him, not His servants (Luke 10:16; John 15:18–20).

Jesus also told His disciples that those who belong to Him will follow Him when they hear His voice (John 10:3–4). This proved to be true the week before the crucifixion when God called down and some only heard thunder (John 12:28–29). And it will be the standard experience Paul finds when he travels throughout modern-day Turkey and Greece, preaching. Some will accept his words, but many won't. Our job is to make disciples (Matthew 28:19): to teach and grow others in the knowledge of God. It's the Holy Spirit's job to make people born-again Christians in the first place (John 16:8; Titus 3:5).

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.