Acts 2 13

Acts 2:13 kjv

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

Acts 2:13 nkjv

Others mocking said, "They are full of new wine."

Acts 2:13 niv

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

Acts 2:13 esv

But others mocking said, "They are filled with new wine."

Acts 2:13 nlt

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

Acts 2 verses

MeaningActs 2:13 conveys the immediate, hostile reaction of some observers to the Holy Spirit's visible and audible outpouring at Pentecost. As the disciples, filled with the Spirit, supernaturally spoke in diverse languages, certain individuals, unable or unwilling to grasp this divine phenomenon, sought to invalidate it by cynically attributing their behavior to intoxication from consuming "new wine" or intoxicating liquor. This dismissive accusation aimed to belittle and discredit a profound spiritual work.

Cross References

ContextActs chapter 2 commences with the dramatic descent of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, an event marked by the sound of a mighty rushing wind and tongues of fire resting on the disciples. They were then supernaturally empowered to speak in diverse foreign languages (heterais glossais), understood by the Jewish diaspora from various nations gathered in Jerusalem. The immediate response (Acts 2:7-12) was astonishment, wonder, and perplexity, with some questioning the meaning of this phenomenon. Verse 13 directly follows this bewilderment, presenting the cynical and scornful reaction from "others." Historically, Pentecost was a harvest festival, drawing Jews from across the Roman Empire, creating the perfect multicultural audience for this miraculous display. This verse highlights the immediate division caused by divine manifestations: some believe and marvel, while others reject and mock, setting the stage for Peter's subsequent sermon defending the Holy Spirit's work and presenting the gospel.

Word analysis

• But others: This phrase (heteroi de) indicates a stark contrast in reaction from the previous verses where some were amazed or perplexed. It denotes a group with a different, opposing perspective, highlighting a division among the observers.

• mocking: The Greek word is διαχλευάζω (diachleuazō), an intense verb combining dia (through, completely) and chleuazō (to scoff, jest). It implies deep, thorough, and active derision, not merely amusement but hostile ridicule, aiming to thoroughly discredit and make light of the Spirit's work. It reflects contempt for the spiritual and the divine.

• said: The Greek verb elegon (imperfect tense of legō) suggests an ongoing, repeated, or persistent saying, implying that this mocking accusation was perhaps not just a one-off remark but a shared and expressed viewpoint.

• They are filled: The verb eisi plestei (passive perfect participle) denotes a state of being completely filled or satiated. Being passive, it suggests something external causing this filling, implying a lack of personal control. In this derogatory context, it portrays them as overwhelmed and controlled by an external, negative substance.

• with new wine: The Greek term is γλεύκος (gleukos), which refers to sweet wine, often unfermented or in the process of active fermentation (must). It was associated with drunkenness due to its potential potency and ability to intoxicate. This accusation links the Spirit's activity to base, physical drunkenness, implying moral and spiritual degradation rather than divine inspiration. It attempts to reduce a miraculous outpouring to a mundane, shameful act of excess.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "But others mocking said": This phrase encapsulates active, cynical rejection and hostility. It reveals the immediate human tendency to explain away the miraculous through naturalistic and demeaning terms, rather than acknowledging divine power. This deliberate act of mockery also serves to suppress belief and discredit those experiencing the spiritual event.
  • "They are filled with new wine": This specific accusation is polemical and strategically chosen to dismiss the spiritual experience. By attributing their behavior to intoxication, the mockers aim to strip the disciples of their credibility and moral authority. This accusation implicitly positions spiritual revelation on par with drunken babble, thus denying the Holy Spirit's unique and holy nature. This particular form of mockery also sets up Peter's direct refutation by referring to the early hour.

CommentaryActs 2:13 marks a pivotal moment showcasing the initial human reaction to the Holy Spirit's powerful manifestation. While some were amazed, others quickly resorted to mocking dismissal, labeling the Spirit-filled disciples as drunks. This accusation, using gleukos (new wine), was profoundly insulting, seeking to trivialize and discredit the miraculous. It reveals a common human pattern of rejecting divine phenomena when they do not conform to worldly expectations or challenge preconceived notions. Instead of opening their minds to God's unprecedented action, these individuals clung to a cynical, naturalistic explanation to avoid grappling with spiritual truth. This scoffing, however, inadvertently sets the stage for Peter's Spirit-inspired sermon, where he eloquently refutes the charge and interprets the event through the lens of Old Testament prophecy, ultimately proclaiming the resurrected Christ. This illustrates how even opposition can be woven into God's plan to magnify His truth.

• This verse reminds believers that authentic spiritual experience often draws scorn from those who misunderstand or refuse to believe (e.g., dismissing zealous worship as emotionalism; labelling passionate prayer as fanaticism). It encourages resilience in the face of mockery for one's faith, much as the apostles faced.

Bonus sectionThe accusation of drunkenness or madness against God's messengers is a recurring theme throughout biblical history, reinforcing a pattern of human resistance to divine intervention (e.g., Hos 9:7, Jer 29:26, Mark 3:21). The choice of "new wine" also creates an ironic theological parallel; Jesus spoke of new wine requiring new wineskins (Matt 9:17), implying that the radical newness of the Kingdom of God and the Spirit's work could not be contained by old religious paradigms. The mockers, in a profound irony, inadvertently hinted at this "newness" while completely misinterpreting its source. The prompt timing of the mockery (mid-morning, the third hour of the day mentioned in Acts 2:15) also serves to immediately debunk the charge, as public drunkenness at that hour would be culturally uncharacteristic and shameful, strengthening Peter's argument against the veracity of the claim. This opposition ultimately functioned to elicit a clear, Spirit-inspired proclamation of the gospel, turning potential setback into an opportunity for evangelism.