As St Peter had declared the promises unto such as would be drawn by the cords of love; so here, on the other side, he useth threatenings, and declares the terrors of the Lord, if so that they will be persuaded. These wonders were such as did precede the destruction of Jerusalem, or shall forerun the destruction of the whole world. read more
CRITICAL REMARKSActs 2:14. Men of Judæa.—Natives of Jerusalem. Ye that dwell at Jerusalem.—Foreign Jews, sojourners in the city from other parts.Acts 2:15. These.—Not the eleven with Peter merely, but all who had been heard speaking (Acts 2:7). The third hour.—Nine a.m. in our time; the hour of morning prayer (Schürer considers this doubtful), before which no respectable Jew allowed himself to become intoxicated (Isaiah 5:11).Acts 2:16. Through the prophet.—Joel 2:28-32. διὰ since he was not... read more
Acts 2:0 We have here the history of the first Christian revival. Let us trace it through, and mark at once its origin and its characteristics. I. It was ushered in by prayer. Like true children of God, these first disciples waited and prayed, asking evermore, that they might receive the Holy Ghost according to His word. And herein they rebuke us dreadfully, for in our petitions we far too largely neglect the Holy Ghost. II. The revival began in the Church in the quickening and enlightening of... read more
Acts 2:14-36 The first Gospel Sermon There are four links in St. Peter's chain of evidence. The first two, lying within the knowledge of his hearers, are briefly handled; the last two, being facts lying outside their observation, are confirmed at length by Scripture and living testimony. I. God's hand first appeared in the public ministry of Jesus by the miracles which He had wrought. On these proofs the preacher had no need to dwell. They were known to all. II. But now came the stumbling block... read more
Chapter 2Now when the day of Pentecost ( Acts 2:1 )This would be feast day following the Passover, of which Jesus was crucified. And fifty days after the Passover, the second major Jewish feast, the Feast of Pentecost, or the Feast of Ingathering. This is the time when they would gather the winter wheat, the winter grains that had been sown, and the early part of June; they're ready for harvest. The Feast of Pentecost was marked by them taking a portion of their field and harvesting it. Tying... read more
Acts 2:1 . The day of Pentecost. The fiftieth day after our Lord’s resurrection, and the day when the sheaf of the firstfruits was offered. Though the feast of Pentecost was but one day, yet like the passover, it was continued through all the week by a course of after services. See on Exodus 19:1. Acts 2:3 . There appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire. The prophet Ezekiel, in his vision of the chariot of Jehovah, twice names the fire or glory of the colour of amber: chap. 1.... read more
Acts 2:14-40But Peter standing up with the eleven.The sceneNever was such an audience assembled as that before which this poor fisherman appeared: men of different nations, rapidly and earnestly speaking in their different tongues; one in Hebrew, mocking and saying, “These men are full of new wine”; another inquiring in Latin; another disputing in Greek; another wondering in Arabic; and an endless Babel beside expressing every variety of surprise, doubt, and curiosity. Amid such a scene the... read more
Acts 2:17-21And it shall come to pass in the last days.The gospel ageFour things taught here determine the gospel age.I. It is connected with an extraordinary effusion of the Divine Spirit, “I will pour out My Spirit.”II. It is connected with prodigious revolutions, “I will show wonders,” etc.III. It is connected with an ultimate crisis, “The notable day of the Lord.”IV. It is connected with the possibility of a universal salvation, “Whosoever,” etc. (Homilist.)The pouring out of God’s SpiritIn... read more
19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: Ver. 19. Wonders in heaven ] See Joel 3:15 ; Matthew 24:29 ; Mark 13:24 ; Luke 21:25 . read more
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Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 2:14-36
Acts 2:14-Zephaniah : . Peter Explains the Occurrence.— Peter is, as before, the mouthpiece of the community. His speech is not addressed to foreigners but to the people of Jerusalem, and shows us, as his other speeches do, the style of argument used by Christians in their first great controversy, that with their Jewish neighbours. This address falls into three parts: ( a) Acts 2:14-Ecclesiastes :, the phenomena are not due to intoxication but show that prophecy of the Last Things is being... read more