Acts 2:3 kjv

And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

Acts 2:3 nkjv

Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.

Acts 2:3 niv

They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.

Acts 2:3 esv

And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.

Acts 2:3 nlt

Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them.

Acts 2 verses

Acts 2 3 Meaning

Acts 2:3 describes the visible manifestation of the Holy Spirit's arrival at Pentecost, where an appearance like tongues of fire, distinctly separated, settled upon each individual disciple gathered. This event visually confirmed the bestowal of the Holy Spirit, empowering each believer for the divine commission of witness and proclamation.

Acts 2 3 Context

Acts chapter 2 describes the dramatic outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, fifty days after Passover and the resurrection of Jesus, and ten days after His ascension. The disciples (around 120 of them) were gathered together in one place, as instructed by Jesus (Acts 1:4-5, 8), waiting for the promised "power from on high." Verse 2 describes an audible sign, a sound like a mighty rushing wind, filling the entire house. Verse 3 immediately follows, providing the visual complement to this profound spiritual event, indicating that the Holy Spirit's arrival was not only felt and heard but also seen. This visual sign marked the formal beginning of the Church as the empowered body of Christ and the new covenant era where God's Spirit indwells all believers. It recalls Old Testament theophanies where God appeared in fire, but distinctively, this fire was "cloven" and rested individually.

Acts 2 3 Word analysis

• appeared (ὤφθησαν, ōphthēsan):

  • Meaning: Passive voice of "to appear," implying a divine act, something seen not conjured. It indicates a visible, observable manifestation of what is essentially spiritual.
  • Significance: This was a genuine, objective phenomenon, witnessed by all present, not merely an internal vision or subjective feeling. It confirms the reality of the Holy Spirit's coming.

• unto them (αὐτοῖς, autois):

  • Meaning: Refers to the collective group of disciples (around 120, per Acts 1:15) gathered together.
  • Significance: The manifestation was public to the community of believers, not isolated.

• cloven (διαμεριζόμεναι, diamerizomenai):

  • Meaning: Present participle, middle/passive voice, from diamerizo, meaning "to distribute," "to divide among," "to separate into parts."
  • Significance: Crucially, this signifies that the fiery appearance was not one single, undifferentiated flame but separated and distinct units. This "dividing" emphasizes the individual reception of the Holy Spirit, unique for each person present. It suggests a distribution, a personalized endowment.

• tongues (γλῶσσαι, glōssai):

  • Meaning: Literally, the anatomical organ in the mouth. Figuratively, it can mean "languages" (as in Acts 2:4-11 where they spoke in different tongues/languages) or, as here, a shape or form resembling a tongue or flame-like projection.
  • Significance: The shape itself is key, foreshadowing the subsequent miracle of speaking in other languages and highlighting the primary ministry of the Holy Spirit in empowering evangelism and communication of the Gospel. It connects the visible sign to the vocal utterance that follows.

• like as of fire (ὡσεὶ πυρός, hōsei pyros):

  • Meaning: The particle hōsei means "as if," "as it were," "like," indicating a similitude, not a literal burning flame. It was fire-like in appearance or quality, not destructive.
  • Significance: This appearance connects the Holy Spirit to various Old Testament manifestations of God's presence, purity, judgment, zeal, and refining power (e.g., Exod 3:2, 19:18; Isa 6:6). Fire symbolizes divine presence, divine energy, cleansing, zeal, and revelation. It emphasizes God's holiness and transforming power. The Spirit came not to consume but to indwell and empower.

• and it sat (ἐκάθισέν τε, ekathisen te):

  • Meaning: From kathizo, meaning "to sit down," "to settle," "to remain fixed." The aorist tense implies a definitive act of settling.
  • Significance: Unlike a transient flash, this indicates a permanent or abiding presence. The Spirit was not merely visiting but taking up residence. It implies stability and rest, a settled anointing on each individual.

• upon each of them (ἐφ᾽ ἕνα ἕκαστον αὐτῶν, eph’ hena hekaston autōn):

  • Meaning: "Upon one, each one of them," or "upon each individual one of them."
  • Significance: This reiterates and strongly emphasizes the personal and individual nature of the Spirit's bestowal. No one was overlooked; the gift of the Holy Spirit was for every believer, not just the apostles or leaders. This democratizes spiritual endowment, fulfilling Joel's prophecy (Joel 2:28-29) that God would pour out His Spirit on all flesh – sons, daughters, male and female servants. This was a direct contrast to earlier dispensations where the Spirit typically empowered only selected individuals for specific tasks (prophets, kings, priests).

• Words-group analysis:

  • "appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire": This phrase captures the specific and unique visible phenomenon accompanying the Spirit's arrival. It was a supernatural sign, confirming the divine activity and hinting at the speaking of diverse languages. The visible fire connects to God's nature and the tongues to communication.
  • "and it sat upon each of them": This part highlights the individualized, abiding, and personal reception of the Holy Spirit. It underscores the democratic nature of the Pentecost event, marking the inauguration of the Spirit's indwelling in every believer, empowering them for witness and service.

Acts 2 3 Bonus section

The "tongues like as of fire" were a singular event accompanying the Spirit's first outpouring in this manner, emphasizing the new covenant's inclusivity and power for proclamation. While we do not typically see literal fiery tongues today when the Spirit falls, the spiritual reality of personal empowerment for witness, conviction, and utterance remains. This unique visual sign validated the Holy Spirit's immediate work in empowering them to speak God's "fiery" word (Jer 23:29), bringing conviction and transformation. The settling implies a stability of the Spirit's presence, not just a transient visitation.

Acts 2 3 Commentary

Acts 2:3 provides the profound visual cue of the Holy Spirit's Pentecost arrival. Following the sound of wind, the disciples witnessed distinct, flame-like shapes settling on each individual. The "cloven tongues" highlight both division (each person receiving a distinct share) and vocalization (foretelling speaking in languages). The appearance "like as of fire" echoes Old Testament divine manifestations, signifying God's powerful, pure, and refining presence, but without consuming. Importantly, the Spirit "sat upon each of them," denoting an individual, abiding indwelling and empowering for every believer present. This verse signifies the personalization and democratization of the Holy Spirit's gift, empowering all followers of Christ for their commission as witnesses, marking a pivotal moment in redemptive history and the birth of the Church. It’s not just for a select few, but for every child of God, for service and testimony.