Acts 2 11

Acts 2:11 kjv

Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

Acts 2:11 nkjv

Cretans and Arabs?we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God."

Acts 2:11 niv

(both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs?we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!"

Acts 2:11 esv

both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians ? we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God."

Acts 2:11 nlt

(both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!"

Acts 2 verses

Acts 2 11 Meaning

Acts 2:11 describes the astonished reaction of pilgrims gathered in Jerusalem for Pentecost. They hear the disciples, filled with the Holy Spirit, miraculously speaking about God's mighty works in their native languages. Specifically, people from Crete and Arabia declare their amazement at understanding this divine proclamation in their own tongues, underscoring the universal accessibility of God's message through the Spirit.

Acts 2 11 Context

Acts chapter 2 describes the day of Pentecost, a significant Jewish feast fifty days after Passover. Jerusalem was bustling with devout Jewish pilgrims from across the vast Roman Empire and beyond, representing "every nation under heaven" (Acts 2:5). The apostles and other believers were gathered together when the Holy Spirit descended with powerful signs of rushing wind and tongues of fire. Empowered by the Spirit, they began speaking in languages unknown to them but intelligible to the foreign pilgrims present. Acts 2:11 lists two of these diverse groups—Cretans and Arabians—emphasizing their astonishment as they understood the miraculous proclamation in their native dialects, forming part of the collective wonder described in the preceding verses.

Acts 2 11 Word analysis

• Cretans (Κρῆτες - Krētes): Inhabitants of Crete, a large Mediterranean island known for its ancient civilization and, at times, its problematic reputation (Titus 1:12-13). Their presence signifies the geographic diversity of the Jewish diaspora gathered in Jerusalem and highlights the broad scope of the Pentecost event.

• and (καὶ - kai): A common conjunction, simply linking the named groups, indicating their presence alongside many others listed in the chapter.

• Arabians (Ἄραβες - Arabes): People from the Arabian Peninsula, possibly including Nabataeans. This group further extends the representation of the diverse Jewish diaspora, reaching far into the eastern and southern regions surrounding Judea, contributing to the "every nation" panorama.

• —we hear (ἀκούομεν - akouomen): Present tense, active voice. This emphasizes the immediate, direct, and verifiable auditory experience of the onlookers. The miracle was not hidden but audibly understood by them.

• them declaring (λαλούντων αὐτῶν - lalountōn autōn): "Lalountōn" is from "laleō," meaning "to speak." While it can sometimes denote mere chatter, in this context, coupled with "the wonders of God," it unequivocally implies coherent, meaningful, and articulate proclamation of divine truths, made supernaturally intelligible.

• the wonders (τὰ μεγαλεῖα - ta megaleia): This crucial Greek term means "great things," "magnificent works," "mighty deeds." In the Bible, especially in Septuagint and New Testament, it almost always refers to the powerful, redemptive, and awe-inspiring acts of God throughout history, culminating in Christ's life, death, resurrection, and ascension. (Ps 145:6, Lk 1:49) It's not just general praise, but specific acts of God's power and salvation.

• of God (τοῦ Θεοῦ - tou Theou): Explicitly states the divine origin and subject of the "wonders," grounding the message firmly in God's revelation and action.

• in our own tongues (ταῖς ἡμετέραις γλώσσαις - tais hēmeterais glōssais): "Glōssa" (tongue) refers here unequivocally to the native languages or dialects of the diverse listeners. This phrase encapsulates the essence of the Pentecost miracle: the disciples spoke, and the hearers miraculously understood the message in their distinct mother tongues, overcoming the barriers of linguistic diversity introduced at Babel (Gen 11:7-9).

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Cretans and Arabians—we hear": This grouping exemplifies the broad reach of the Holy Spirit's immediate impact. These specific geographic locations emphasize the gathering of peoples from significant corners of the known world, signifying God's universal reach beyond national boundaries, bringing the divine message to them directly.
  • "them declaring the wonders of God": This highlights the content and nature of the message. It was a focused, intelligible proclamation centered on God's mighty acts of salvation, most notably concerning Jesus Christ's death, resurrection, and glorification. The disciples were not speaking randomly, but testifying to God's redemptive history and its culmination in Christ.
  • "in our own tongues": This core miraculous aspect confirms the reversal of the Babel curse. The Spirit ensures that God's powerful message is not only audible but profoundly intelligible and personally resonant for each hearer in their specific cultural and linguistic context, affirming the unity of the Spirit in the diversity of expression.

Acts 2 11 Bonus section

• The comprehensive list of nations in Acts 2:9-11 functions as a theological map, signifying that God’s plan of redemption through the Spirit is global and inclusive from its inception, touching every corner of the then-known world.
• The content "ta megaleia tou Theou" (the wonders/greatness of God) moves beyond mere linguistic ability to the substance of the Spirit-empowered message. This phrase would naturally encompass the entire Christ-event—His crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, and glorification—as the ultimate "great deeds" of God for human salvation, now being universally proclaimed.
• The nature of this tongue-speaking is distinct from glossolalia described in 1 Corinthians 14, where tongues are often addressed to God or require interpretation. Here, the emphasis is on immediate, miraculous intelligibility to a foreign listener for evangelistic purposes, serving as a powerful, public sign for unbelievers that testified to the divine authority of the apostles' message and the new covenant era.
• Pentecost establishes a foundational principle for missions: while the message of Christ is singular, its delivery should respect and communicate directly in the hearers' own cultural and linguistic forms, demonstrating God's condescension and accessibility.

Acts 2 11 Commentary

Acts 2:11 powerfully encapsulates the groundbreaking miracle of Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit enabled an unprecedented supernatural communication event. Far from a chaotic display, this verse emphasizes the intelligent and intelligible proclamation of God's "wonders"—His majestic, saving deeds, preeminently the Christ-event—to a global audience. The fact that "Cretans and Arabians" (representing the vast and varied diaspora) hear and understand in "their own tongues" highlights a pivotal theological truth: the gospel is for all nations and languages, dismantling the divisions introduced by sin at Babel (Gen 11). This auditory miracle serves as a sign that the message of salvation transcends all human barriers, authenticating the apostles' proclamation and signaling the commencement of the global mission of the church, where every people group is intended to hear and respond to the great works of God in Christ.