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Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 2:4

To speak with other tongues - At the building of Babel the language of the people was confounded; and, in consequence of this, they became scattered over the face of the earth: at this foundation of the Christian Church, the gift of various languages was given to the apostles, that the scattered nations might be gathered; and united under one shepherd and superintendent ( επισκοπος ) of all souls. As the Spirit gave them utterance - The word αποφθεγγεσθαι seems to imply such... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 2:1

Verse 1 1.And when. To be fulfilled is taken in this place for to come. For Luke beareth record again of their perseverance, when he saith that they stood all in one place until the time which was set them. Hereunto serveth the adverb, with one accord Furthermore, we have before declared why the Lord did defer the sending of his Spirit a whole month and a half. But the question is, why he sent him upon that day chiefly. I will not refute that high and subtle interpretation of Augustine, that... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 2:2

Verse 2 2.And there was made It was requisite that the gift should be visible, that the bodily sense might the more stir up the disciples. For such is our slothfulness to consider the gifts of God, that unless he awake all our senses, his power shall pass away unknown. This was, therefore, a preparation that they might the better know that the Spirit was now come which Christ had promised. Although it was not so much for their sake as for ours, even as in that the cloven and fiery tongues... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 2:4

Verse 4 4.They began to speak He showeth that the effect did appear presently, and also to what use their tongues were to be framed and applied, But because Luke setteth down shortly after, that strangers out of divers countries did marvel, because that every one of them did hear the apostles speaking in their own tongue, some think that they spoke not in divers tongues, but that they did all understand that which was spoken in one tongue, as well as if they should hear their natural tongue.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 2:1

Was now come for was fully come, A.V.; all together for with one accord, A.V. and T.R. When the day of Pentecost was now come ; literally, when the day of Pentecost — i.e. , of the fiftieth day—was in the course of being completed. The fiftieth day (reckoned from the end of the 16th of Nisan, on which Jesus was crucified) was actually come, but was not ended (comp. Luke 9:11 ). All together; ὁμοῦ for ὁμοθυμαδόν : but ὁμοθυμαδόν —a favorite word in the Acts... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 2:1-4

The epoch of the spiritual dispensation. I. THE DAY . The fiftieth after the Passover; the beginning of the great festival of harvest. What associations of joy! It was a focus of national life. It was a convenient season for the designs of Providence. Jerusalem was thronged, and the multitude was alive with thought. A sound now heard from the depths of the world of spirit must vibrate through the conscience of mankind for ages. II. THE SOUND . As of a mighty blast from... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 2:1-4

The day of Pentecost: the manifestation of the Spirit. I. THE TIME AND PLACE . Correspondence with the facts of the natural world and of the Jewish Church. Harvest festival. Connection with the Passover, from which it was reckoned—seven weeks. The gifts of God poured out at Jerusalem, where yet he was about to pour out his judgments. The new must be grafted on the old, according to the promises in the prophets, that there should still be a remnant according to the election of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 2:1-4

The symbols of the Spirit's presence. It is important that we mark with some precision what actually occurred on this memorable day. On the day of Pentecost the company of disciples met together as usual at the customary hour of morning prayer, but whether in one of the thirty rooms which Josephus tells us were connected with the courts of Herod's temple, or in the private house where they lodged, is uncertain. As we know that they attended morning prayer in the temple (see Acts 3:1 ),... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 2:1-13

The unity of the Spirit. If, with the idea of unity in our minds, we read this description of the first outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Church, we cannot but be struck with the manner in which that great idea is exhibited and illustrated. I. There is first THE LOCAL UNITY OF THE CHURCH . They were all together in one place. Many in number, but all of that many come together; drawn by one common impulse to merge their separate existences, their various pursuits, their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 2:1-13

The coming of God in power. The ascended Savior was about to come in mighty power to the disciples. They were in Jerusalem, "waiting for the promise of the Father;" doubtless they had no anticipation of the way in which that promise would be fulfilled, and must have been struck with the utmost awe and wonder when they found themselves wrought upon with such Divine energies. Our thought is directed to— I. THE MANIFESTED PRESENCE OF GOD . God revealed his presence through the... read more

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