Acts 2 12

Acts 2:12 kjv

And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

Acts 2:12 nkjv

So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "Whatever could this mean?"

Acts 2:12 niv

Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"

Acts 2:12 esv

And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?"

Acts 2:12 nlt

They stood there amazed and perplexed. "What can this mean?" they asked each other.

Acts 2 verses

Acts 2 12 Meaning

Acts 2:12 captures the immediate, overwhelming, and shared reaction of the diverse multitude who witnessed the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. They were gripped by a profound sense of astonishment and a deep bewilderment, openly questioning among themselves the true significance and purpose behind the unprecedented divine manifestations they had just observed – the sound like a mighty rushing wind, the tongues of fire, and the apostles speaking in the myriad languages of those gathered. This verse sets the stage for Peter's explanation of these events as a fulfillment of God's prophetic promises.

Acts 2 12 Context

Acts 2:12 appears immediately following the powerful and audible manifestation of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-11). This annual Jewish festival in Jerusalem brought together devout Jews and proselytes "from every nation under heaven" (Acts 2:5). The preceding verses describe visible phenomena (tongues like fire), audible phenomena (a sound like a mighty rushing wind), and the miraculous ability of the disciples to speak the native languages of the various ethnic groups present, enabling everyone to understand the praises of God. The extraordinary nature of these events naturally elicited a profound human reaction from the observing crowd. Verse 12 details this widespread reaction of bewilderment and questioning before contrasting it with the scoffing response of "others" in verse 13. It is this general perplexity and genuine inquiry that prompts Peter's subsequent sermon (Acts 2:14ff.), which serves as the Spirit-inspired explanation of these momentous occurrences, grounding them in Old Testament prophecy and ultimately in the work of Jesus Christ. The verse highlights that while divine acts are often undeniably powerful, their true meaning requires divine revelation and interpretation.

Acts 2 12 Word analysis

• And all: Greek: pas (πᾶς). Emphasizes the universal nature of the reaction among the multi-ethnic pilgrims present, in contrast to "others" who later mocked (Acts 2:13). This highlights that a significant portion of the observers were genuinely affected.
• were amazed: Greek: existemi (ἐξίστημι). This verb literally means "to stand out of oneself," suggesting being utterly beside oneself, overwhelmed, profoundly shocked, or astonished. It goes beyond simple surprise, indicating a strong sense of wonder mixed with mental dislocation. It is used elsewhere in Acts for profound reactions to God's power (e.g., Acts 3:10, 8:9) and in the Gospels for amazement at Jesus's deeds (e.g., Mk 2:12, Lk 5:26).
• and perplexed: Greek: diaporeo (διαπορέω). A compound verb meaning "to be thoroughly at a loss," "utterly puzzled," "to be in great doubt," or "to have no way out." It signifies a deeper state of confusion than simple wonder, implying an inability to grasp or logically explain the phenomenon they were witnessing. This strong perplexity highlights the supernatural nature of the event, which defied any natural explanation known to them. It is used elsewhere to describe Herod's confusion about Jesus (Lk 9:7) and Peter's bewilderment over his vision (Acts 10:17).
• saying to one another: Greek: allelon (ἀλλήλων). The reciprocal pronoun emphasizes that the questioning was an internal, shared discussion among the bewildered observers themselves. It was not a challenge directed towards God or the disciples, but rather an open, collective effort to make sense of the unprecedented events.
• “What does this mean?”: Greek: ti thelei touto einai? (τί θέλει τοῦτο εἶναι;). This phrase literally translates to "What does this wish to be?" or "What does this intend to be/signify?" The verb thelei (from thelo) here means "to signify," "to intend," or "to mean." It's a genuine cry for understanding the purpose, import, or significance of the miraculous occurrence, indicating a search for spiritual and theological interpretation, rather than mere casual curiosity.

Words-group Analysis:

• "were amazed and perplexed": This coupling emphasizes a dual and profound reaction. "Amazed" speaks to the overwhelming sensory and emotional impact of the supernatural manifestation, acknowledging its power and extraordinary nature. "Perplexed" speaks to the intellectual and spiritual challenge posed by the event, highlighting their inability to understand its origin, purpose, or implications. Together, they demonstrate that the event was undeniable but unintelligible without further revelation. This sets a crucial narrative pivot for the explanation to follow.
• "saying to one another, 'What does this mean?'": This phrase encapsulates the communal search for understanding. The question is not one of denial, but of earnest inquiry. It signals a readiness among some in the crowd to receive an explanation. This shared bewilderment and quest for meaning create the perfect opportunity for Peter's Spirit-filled sermon to bridge the gap between supernatural sign and divine interpretation. It distinguishes these truth-seekers from the scoffers mentioned in the subsequent verse (Acts 2:13).

Acts 2 12 Bonus section

• This verse represents a critical turning point in the narrative of Acts, moving from the manifestation of the Holy Spirit to the initial response of the crowd, thereby setting the stage for Peter's authoritative preaching.
• The shared reaction of amazement and perplexity validates the incredible nature of the Pentecost event from an external, eyewitness perspective. It wasn't a delusion or a small, easily dismissible incident, but one that gripped a diverse and large gathering.
• The honest question "What does this mean?" demonstrates an openness to understanding and learning, a key quality that contrasts with the cynical dismissal observed in Acts 2:13. This openness often precedes spiritual enlightenment and receptivity to the gospel.
• The very question "What does this mean?" is ultimately answered not just by Peter's sermon, but by the entire New Testament, which interprets the Person and work of Jesus Christ and the empowering ministry of the Holy Spirit.
• This scene parallels instances in the Gospels where Jesus's miracles provoked amazement followed by questions about his identity or authority, demonstrating a pattern of divine activity necessitating spiritual discernment and explanation.

Acts 2 12 Commentary

Acts 2:12 captures the authentic human response to a spectacular divine intervention. The observers of the Pentecost miracle were not merely surprised but genuinely existemi (amazed) and diaporeo (perplexed). Their astonishment underscored the undeniable reality of the Spirit's manifestation, while their perplexity highlighted that God's ways, though powerful, often require interpretation to be fully grasped. This sincere questioning, spoken amongst themselves, "What does this mean?", indicates a search for significance, preparing their hearts to receive Peter's Spirit-empowered sermon. It serves as a narrative and theological bridge, moving from the event of the Spirit's outpouring to the explanation of its prophetic fulfillment and salvific meaning through Christ, marking the inauguration of the church age.