Acts 2:9 kjv

Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,

Acts 2:9 nkjv

Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,

Acts 2:9 niv

Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,

Acts 2:9 esv

Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,

Acts 2:9 nlt

Here we are ? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia,

Acts 2 verses

Acts 2 9 Meaning

Acts 2:9 identifies several diverse geographical regions from which devout Jews and proselytes had gathered in Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost. This list highlights the miraculous outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which enabled the apostles to proclaim the mighty works of God in languages understood by people from across the then-known world, signifying the universal scope of the Gospel from its very inception.

Acts 2 9 Context

The verse is part of Luke’s account of the day of Pentecost, a pivotal moment marking the birth of the church. The immediate preceding verses (Acts 2:1-4) describe the dramatic descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples, manifesting as a mighty rushing wind and tongues of fire, empowering them to speak in various languages. Verse 5 sets the scene, stating that "devout Jews from every nation under heaven were living in Jerusalem." Acts 2:9-11 then details the specific regions from which these individuals hailed, illustrating the immense geographical scope of the Jewish diaspora. This assembly was the first diverse audience to hear the Gospel preached, each in their native tongue, foreshadowing the global reach of Christ’s message. Historically, Pentecost was one of the three major pilgrim festivals (Shavuot) where Jewish males were required to appear before the Lord in Jerusalem (Deut 16:16). This tradition brought Jews and proselytes from far-flung lands to the city, creating the unique setting for the events of Acts 2.

Acts 2 9 Word analysis

• Parthians (Πάρθοι, Parthoi): Referred to the inhabitants of the powerful Parthian Empire, a formidable rival to Rome, stretching across much of modern-day Iran, Iraq, and parts of Central Asia. Many Jews had settled in these regions after the Babylonian exile (Ezra 8:17, 36). Their inclusion emphasizes the Gospel's reach beyond Roman control, indicating a truly universal scope.
• and Medes (Μῆδοι, Mēdoi): Descendants of the ancient Median people, historically associated with Persia (Esther 1:3). Their territory was generally east of Mesopotamia, and they were often subjects of the Parthian Empire in the 1st century AD. This highlights the extensive eastern origins of those present.
• and Elamites (Ἐλαμῖται, Elamitai): Inhabitants of Elam, an ancient kingdom southeast of Mesopotamia, significant for its deep historical roots (Gen 10:22). Their presence indicates pilgrimage from a region known in ancient biblical history.
• and residents of Mesopotamia (καὶ οἱ κατοικοῦντες τὴν Μεσοποταμίαν, kai hoi katoikountes tēn Mesopotamian): "Those dwelling in Mesopotamia." This fertile region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (modern Iraq) was the cradle of civilization and home to a significant Jewish population since the Babylonian captivity (Jer 29:1-7, Ezek 1:1). Abraham's origin was from Ur of the Chaldeans, a Mesopotamian city (Gen 11:31).
• Judea (Ἰουδαίαν, Ioudaias): The homeland itself. Its inclusion here might seem surprising, as the primary list is of foreign regions. However, it could refer to specific communities within Judea distinct from Jerusalem residents, or more broadly emphasize that even those near the epicenter were among the amazed. Some textual traditions suggest other readings for this term here.
• and Cappadocia (Καππαδοκίαν, Kappadokian): A large, mountainous Roman province in eastern Asia Minor (modern Turkey). Jews and Jewish proselytes had a well-established presence here (1 Pet 1:1), showing the northern and eastern reaches within the Roman Empire's control.
• Pontus (Πόντον, Ponton): A Roman province situated on the southern coast of the Black Sea, in northern Asia Minor. It also had a Jewish population (1 Pet 1:1), and some suggest its coastal cities facilitated travel to Jerusalem.
• and Asia (καὶ Ἀσίαν, kai Asian): Refers specifically to the Roman province of Asia, which comprised the western part of Asia Minor, including influential cities like Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, and Laodicea, all of which later hosted significant early Christian communities. This was a very populous and prosperous region with a large Jewish presence (Acts 6:9; 19:10).

These regions cover areas east of the Roman Empire (Parthians, Medes, Elamites, Mesopotamia) and within Asia Minor, emphasizing the vast dispersion of Jews throughout the ancient world and the unprecedented breadth of the audience who witnessed and heard the first Gospel proclamation.

Acts 2 9 Bonus section

The systematic listing of these regions, generally moving from East (Parthia) to West (Asia Minor provinces), reveals Luke's keen attention to geographical detail. This order may reflect the routes by which many pilgrims would have traveled or a common ancient understanding of world geography. This scene at Pentecost can be understood as a direct counter-narrative to the Tower of Babel event (Gen 11), where God confused languages to scatter humanity. Here, in Jerusalem, the Holy Spirit supernaturally enables understanding across linguistic barriers, signaling God's new work of gathering humanity through the united proclamation of the Gospel. The pious nature of these individuals, implied by their pilgrimage for the Feast of Weeks, means that the first hearers of the Gospel in their native tongues were already devout seekers of God, making them fertile ground for the message and natural carriers of it back to their homelands.

Acts 2 9 Commentary

Acts 2:9 provides crucial detail to the miraculous event of Pentecost, showing that the Holy Spirit's manifestation immediately transcended local boundaries. The detailed geographical list underscores Luke's meticulousness and highlights the truly global, though concentrated, nature of the Pentecost audience. These were not just a few curious onlookers but devout pilgrims from a vast expanse—from the empires of the east beyond Rome’s direct sway, through the ancient lands of Mesopotamia, to the significant Roman provinces of Asia Minor. The diverse origins of these individuals set the stage for the Gospel's rapid dissemination, as they would return to their homes having personally witnessed and understood God's mighty acts in their native languages. This moment effectively pre-demonstrates the fulfillment of Christ's commission to reach the "ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8), symbolizing the church's intended universality and God's plan to call people from every nation, tribe, and tongue to himself.