1 And when the day of Pentecost (or Jubilee = 50th day) was being fulfilled (lit. in the day...being completed. This refers to the completion of the 7 weeks [50 days inclusive] from the waiving of the sheaf of first-fruits [Lev. 23:15,16), they were all with one accord (see 1:14) together. (In other words, they had come in for the feast of Pentecost and people gathered to Jerusalem from all over from the known world at that time, and from all areas. We here in America are very blessed that we can drive 3,000 miles and the language is still the same, but in most countries, especially in the Middle East at this time, you didn’t have to go three city blocks until it was a totally different language. So at the gathering of Pentecost they would have people of many tongues [which is many languages] present there.)
Strong's G1266 – diamerizō
1) to cleave asunder, cut in pieces
2) to be divided into opposing parts, to be at variance, in dissension
3) to distribute
The Greek word which is translated as tongue here is "glossa".
G1100γλῶσσαglōssagloce'-sahOf uncertain affinity; the tongue; by implication a language (specifically one naturally unacquired): - tongue.
So we see that we are not talking about the [literal] tongue of your mouth but the language of your mouth and the fact that it is in many directions. What does that mean? It is important to know first of all where we have all these languages pulled together that to be able to communicate as a witness then certainly we have an interesting subject. Let us listen to the Spirit as we continue with verse 4.)
2 And suddenly there came a sound from the heaven as of a mighty blast (Gr. pnoê, to breathe, or blow, whence pneuma) borne along, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. (The Holy Spirit was with them as God had promised. So this is the Spirit moving. It is talking about God’s elect here, where they were sitting, the Spirit touched them and they were filled.)
3 And there were seen by them tongues distributing themselves like as of fire, and it sat upon each one of them. (They are receiving what was promised. Now this was a one-time thing where visibly God would use this particular vision so that they could see what was happening to them. Cloven means going out in many directions. The Greek word that is translated here means “distributed”.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit (not by themselves), and began to speak with other (not unknown) tongues, even as the Spirit was giving them utterance (Gr. apoththengomai. There was nothing said that anyone didn't understand. There was no need for an interpreter. Man can't do that).
Strong's G1258 – dialektos
1) conversation, speech, discourse, language
2) the tongue or language peculiar to any people
As you probably have clicked on the word in verse 6, does it look and sound familiar? It's almost the same as the English. In other words, not only did they hear their own language, but they heard it in the dialect in which they spoke. What was heard was in their own, local dialect. We see here the miracle of the Holy Spirit at work within this. We have many people from around the world that speak English, but there are many different dialects. But with the miracle of the Holy Spirit, [they heard what was spoken even unto their own dialect] and this is what stunned them.)
5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews (has 2 meanings, 1] of the tribe of Judah; or 2] resident of the land of Judea), pious men, out of every nation of those under heaven. (Every language of the world present.)
6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that they heard them speaking, each one speaking in his own language. (Not unknown. No need for an interpreter. This is the evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit. This is how you can tell the true from a person imitating it. All the tongues of the world coming out of one mouth without an interpreter. Now we understand where the Greek word cloven or distributed comes in to play because [the language they were speaking] was being distributed in more than one language at one time. Now it's important in your research that you know what this word language is in the Greek because it really says more in the Greek than it does in the English. Because there is more to your own language. We speak English in many parts of the world, but certainly dialect has a great deal to do with identifying where someone is from. God is being very specific here. The Greek word that was translated “language” here is dialektos.
7 And they were all dumbfounded (cp. Mark 3:21) and marveled, saying to one another, "Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue (= dialect. Gr. dialektos, as in v. 6), in which we were born? (In other words they're saying, “they are from Nazareth, but talk like they are from Bethlehem!” [More than just different dialects;] totally different languages but still [heard even] in their own dialects. That is the evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Again, I caution you that they heard it and they understood it, each and every person. There was nothing unknown about it. So regarding the the Holy Spirit then, make a note, when the Holy Spirit speaks through a person, it is a language that is heard in every dialect of the world in whatever language they may speak. That, my friend, no man can fake. That is the evidence of the presence of Almighty God through the Holy Spirit, and that He is utilizing that person. If it sounds anything different than what was just mentioned, then it is obvious that the Holy Spirit is not present. Because the mark or evidence of this specific tongue, the Pentecostal day tongue, is that it is understood by every language of the world all at one time even down to the neighborhood in which you were born and raised. For example, picture someone from the United Nations that would get up to speak [to the entire] world and no one would need an interpreter. Everyone there would hear it in their own tongue as they were gathered in from around the world, just as they were in this case, here [in Acts]. And if what I’m stating from the Word of God offends, then if I were you, I would pray about it a great deal, and look at it, and believe God. Not necessarily what this man says, or any other man says, but believe God’s word. And that’s what the Word says. There is nothing unknown about the so-called “speaking in tongues”. Some might say, "How do we know that there were different peoples there?" Well, give Him a chance to declare it.)
9 Parthians (People from India), and Medes (The middle land), and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia (these first 4 were within the limits of The Persian Empire. Mesopotamia is the same Padan-Aram [Gen. 24:10; 28:2]), and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, (these last 3 provinces of Asia Minor. Asia here means the district comprising Mysia, Lydia, &c., on the Western coast, governed by a Roman pro-consul. Cp. Rev. 1:4.)
10 Phrygia (Asia Minor), and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene (these were from Africa), and sojourners from Rome, Jews and proselytes (Not only of Judah, see Matt. 23:15),
11 Cretans (see Tit. 1:12) and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the great things of God." (Even from the basics all the way back to the beginning to His creation of the world.)
12 And they were all amazed, and were perplexed, saying one to another, "What does this imply?" (Certainly they had never seen anything like that before.)
13 Others mocking said, "They have been filled with new wine." (This was an excuse. They pass off anything they don't understand.)
D C¹ 2:14-47. Among the brethren. D¹ 3:1–4:22. Among the people. C² 4:23–5:11. Among the brethren. D² 5:12-42. Among the people. C³ 6:1-7. Among the brethren. D³ 6:7–8:1-. Among the people
C¹ E¹ 14-36. Peter's address. E² 37-47. Results.
E¹ F¹ 14,15. Appeal. Men of Judea. G¹ 16-21. Reference to Joel. F² 22-24. Appeal. Men of Israel. G² 25-28. Reference to Ps.16. F³ 29-33. Appeal. Men and Brethren. G³ 34-36. Reference to Ps.110.
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said to them (= spoke out, as in v.4. This was an utterance in the power of the Holy Spirit), “All you men of Judaea, and all you all that dwell at Jerusalem (see note on 1:11. The ministry of Peter was to the Circumcision. Cp. Matt.15:24), be this known to you (see note on 1:19), and hearken to my sayings (= attend closely. Gr. enôtizomai. Lit. take into ears):
15 For these are not drunken, as you all suppose (see note in 1:9 "received"), for it is but the third hour of the day (Cp. 1 Thess. 5:7. In other words, it was only 9 o’clock in the morning and it was against the law of the land; for on the Holy day (the feast day), to partake of anything that early in the day. Thus Peter brings it forth. He explains it then. Do you really want to know what the Pentecost tongue is about? Peter’s standing up, he’s got their attention, and he’s going to tell you)
16 But this is that which was spoken through the prophet Joel;
1. "This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel". There is nothing in the words to tell us what is "this" and what is "that". The word "this" is Emphatic and the word "But", with which Peter's argument begins, sets what follows in contrast. This shows that the quotation was used to rebut the charge of drunkenness-v.13.
So far from these signs and wonders being a proof that "these men" were drunken, "this", said the apostle, is "that" [same kind of thing] which Joel prophesied would take place "In the last days". Peter does not say these were the last days, but this [that follows] is what Joel says of those days. He doesn't say "then was fulfilled", nor "as it is written", but merely calls attention to what the prophet said of similar scenes yet future.
Therefore to understand what Peter really meant by "this is that", we must turn to the prophecy of Joel. And in order to understand that prophecy, we must see exactly what it is about.
Is it about the Christian Dispensation? or,
The dispensation of Judgment which is to follow it? or,
2. The Structure gives the scope of Joel as a whole, and a detail of B in which occurs the "signs" to which Peter points in connection with "this is that". From this it will be seen that the prophecy of Joel links up with the last clause of the "Song of Moses" in Deut.32:43 (see Rev.15:3), which ends:-
"And He will be merciful to His Land and to His People."
So Joel 2:18 begins:-
"Then will Yahaveh be jealous for His Land, and pity His People"
Is it about the Jew and the Gentile? or,
Is it about the Church of God?
Detail of B above:
B a¹ 2:18,19. Good bestowed. Land and People.
b¹ 2:20. Evil removed. Enemy cut off.
a² 2:21-32. Good bestowed. Land and People.
b² 3:1-16-. Evil removed. Enemy cut off.
a³ 3:-16-18. Good bestowed. Land and People.
b³ 3:19. Evil Removed. Enemies cut off.
a4 3:20,21. Good bestowed. Land and People.
"THIS" therefore, is "THAT". It is the subject matter and remote context of Acts 2:16. It concerns Yahaveh's Land and Yahaveh's People, and has consequently nothing to do with the church of this Dispensation (see note on Acts 2:47). Peter calls "the house of Israel"-v.36- to the very repentance spoken of in the call to repentance of Joel-1:14-2:17; see A in Structure.
"And it shall come to pass AFTERWARD,
After what? The answer is AFTER the temporal blessings of vv.23-27. It is important to note that the temporal precede the spiritual blessings. The Holy Spirit was NOT poured out on all flesh at Pentecost: only on some of those present. None of the great signs in heavens and on earth had been shown. No deliverance took place in Jerusalem: both Land and People were still under the Roman yoke.
5. To sum up: As we have seen, there is in Acts 2:16 no fulfillment of Joel's prophecy either expressed or implied, and Peter's argument narrows down to this, namely that a charge of drunkenness can no more be sustained against "these" than it can be against those in the yet future scenes spoken of by Joel, when the wondrous spiritual blessing will be poured out on ALL flesh AFTER THAT, that is after all the temporal blessings spoken of have been bestowed upon Israel' Land and Israel's People. IT HASN"T HAPPENED YET FOLKS. NOBODY has spoken the Pentecost tongue since the apostles spoke it. Do not be deceived. The evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit, so you can tell the True from a person imitating it is, ALL the languages of the world coming out of ONE mouth WITHOUT an interpreter. Anything else is a fake and is evil.
3. But the key to the correct understanding of Peter's quotation lies in the word "afterward" of Joel 2:28. The question is, after what? This we can learn only from Joel himself. Peter does not explain it, nor can we understand it from Peter's words alone.
The Structure shows us that the whole subject of 2:18-3:21 is - evil removed from the Land and the People, and blessings bestowed on both; and these are set forth alternately. In 2:28,29 we have spiritual blessings connected with the temporal of the previous verses, introduced thus:
that I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh,"&c.
4. Thus, from a careful study of the two passages, it will be seen that there is a wide divergence between the statements of apostle and prophet on the one hand, and the general belief of Christendom, which the majority hold so tenaciously, not to say acrimoniously, that "the church" was formed at Pentecost, on the other (see note on Act 2:47).
(a) There can be no mistake about the meaning of Joel's word "afterward". It is not the simple Heb. word 'ahar = after [Gen.5:4], but the compound 'aharey-ken = after that [as in Gen.6:4].
(b) It is therefore certain that the word "this" in Acts 2:16 refers to what follows, and not to what precedes; to the future events predicted by Joel, and not to those then taking place in Jerusalem.
(c) As Joel speaks of no gift of tongues, "this" cannot refer to these Pentecost tongues, the outstanding cause of all the wonder and excitement.
(d) None of the things detailed in vv.17,19 came to pass. "This" therefore could not be the fulfillment of Joel's prediction, as the "pouring out" was only on the apostles and those associated with them.
17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days’ (Started in 1948 A.D. The parable of the fig tree. Cp. Mark 13. See Gen.49:1), says God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh (A Hebraism. Cp. Isa.40:5 66:24. Luke 3:6. John 17:2.): and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: (Again, there is the time element, not until the last days when that hour of temptation. Now if you don’t think that God intends to use females, then you’ve got sad trouble, because especially in the last days He specifically brings that out stating, “daughters shall prophesy”. That means to teach and to prophesy the Word of God with the Holy Spirit coming from the mouth of women. Hey, if you don’t like it, then just don’t accept it and lump it, and continue confusing yourself. But if you believe God’s Word, lace it up, put it on, and wear it, because it fits, it is going to happen, it is prophecy and it shall happen. God will use His elect, the Holy Spirit as it was written in Mark 13, in the last days, that is to say when the spurious messiah is here and we are delivered up and the miracle to the world will be whoever is listening. I have no doubt in my own mind that these trials will be televised around the world and you are not going to need an interpreter. Now that is the miracle of the presence of God through the Holy Spirit and people will know and understand that it is from God and not some unknown thing, but just the opposite, it will be from God’s Word, and it is that which is known and heard whereby no one has an excuse to say “I didn’t understand it because it wasn’t in my dialect.”)
BROGUE = (a strong dialectal accent, especially a strong Irish accent.)
…of whatever person heard it that was born regardless of who the speaker was, because it was not the speaker that spoke, but the Holy Spirit. God has your number friend, He has your dialect, He knows how you hear. That’s why the miracle cannot be copied, conned, or made up by man. It is so crystal clear that no one is without excuse of understanding the scripture of God.
18 And on My servants and on My handmaidens (= bond-maids) I will pour out in those days of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy: (It's written and you’ll read it. It is written in Mark 13, it is written in Matthew 24, it is written in Luke 21, and it is written in the book of Joel. It wasn’t unknown. If you want to know what they spoke on Pentecost day, go to the book of Joel and read it. It’s all laid out for you what they said, the marvelous, glorious, wonderful works of God that was mentioned back in the eleventh verse of this chapter by all those foreign tongues.)
19 And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke (Cp. Mt St. Helens eruption which occurred on Pentecost day in 1980 A.D. Cp. the 12 times the word "smoke" appears in Rev. God's witnesses will prophecy the blood, fire, and vapour of smoke, and then those things will come to pass. Why? It is not the witnesses that speak, but the Holy Spirit speaking through them):
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness (= changed. Cp. the eclipses of the moon in 1997-98. 4 eclipses with a 6 month period in between = 6,6,6 = 18 = bondage), and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: (Gr. epiphanês. The verb epiphainô = to shine, show light upon. In Joel, the word is "terrible". The kindred noun epiphaneia, is used of the Lord's coming. 2 Thess.2:8. 1 Tim.6:14, &c. Again you have the time that this tongue will be spoken nailed down flat and firm. There is no room for confusion. Again, listen to God’s word and not man’s. I don’t care how many preachers have told you that this Pentecost tongue was unknown. I don’t care how many times you have heard it from whoever, or whomever. God’s Word states that it was just the opposite of unknown, that it was in the very dialect or brogue…
21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever (see Eph.1:4) shall call on the name of Jesus shall be saved. (Cp. 7:59; 9:14; 22:16. Rom.10:12-14. 1 Cor.1:2. Yes, even up to that last hour. Now that was on Pentecost day. Did it happen again? Of course it did. Let’s turn to the tenth chapter of this great book of Acts.)
22 All you men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus the Nazarene, a Man (Gr. anêr = an adult male person. Lat. vir, an honorable title as distinct from a mere "man"; hence used of a husband) approved (= set forth, or commended) of God to you by miracles (= powers) and wonders and signs, which God did through Him in the midst of you, as you all yourselves know:
23 Him, being delivered by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of the Lord (see Ps. 22), you all have taken, and (text omits.) by wicked hands have crucified and slew (= nailed up to the cross. Slew = Gr. anaireô, take off, or away):
24 Whom God has raised up (means to make to stand up, i.e. to raise up, or to rise up, arise, rise again. Refers to the Resurrection. Cp. 13:32,33), having loosed the pains of death (= birth-pangs): because it was not possible that He should be held by it (It was not possible that death could hold Christ because He was the Victor of death. That was His purpose).
25 For David speaks with reference to Him (Ps.16:8-11), ‘I saw before me Jesus through every event before my face (Lit. in the eyes of me), for He is on my right hand, in order that I should not be moved: (= shaken. The enemy is not going to move or shake you)
26 Therefore (= On account of this) did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad (= rejoiced exceedingly. See Matt.5:12. 1 Pet.1:8; 4:13); moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: (Lit. tabernacle. See Matt.13:32. Mark 4:32. Luke 13:19)
27 Because You will not leave (= forsake, abandon) me in hell (Gr. Hades; used by the Greeks for the unseen world. See Appendix 131 in Companion Bible), neither will You give Your Holy One to see corruption. (Mostly as rendered of Heb. ha id = grace or favor. See Deut.33:8. Ps.16:10; 52:9)
28 Thou made known to me the ways of life; You shall make me full of joy with Your countenance.
29 Men and brethren, I may freely (= with frankness) speak to you of the patriarch David (Applies to Abraham and the sons of Jacob, as founders of the nation, and to David, as founder of the monarchy), that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is among us until this day (= tomb, as in Mark 5:5. Cp.7:16. Luke 23:53).
30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God swore by an oath to him (See 2 Sam.7:12), that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, He would raise up Christ to sit (The text reads "He would set one") on His throne (i.e. the Lord's Throne. Cp. 1 Chron.29:23, and see Ps.2:6);
31 He seeing this before (= fore-seeing it) spake of the resurrection of the Christ (This is the Greek translation of the Heb. Messiah. Christos has the same meaning, from chriô, to anoint. Hence the Noun is used of for the Messiah, and in the Gospels should always be translated "Messiah", as well as in Acts, and sometimes in the latter Books of the N.T.), that, He was not left (Gr. kataleipô, but the text reads forsake, as in v.27) in Hades, neither His flesh saw corruption (His flesh did not go through that state of returning to dust as David's did. He was transfigured).
32 This Jesus has God raised up, of which we all (i.e. the 12) are witnesses (see note on 1:8).
33 Therefore being by the right hand of the Lord exalted (see note on John 12:32), and having received from beside the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit (see 1:4), He has shed forth this (same as "pour out" in vv.17,18.), which you all see and hear.
34 For David is not ascended (= went not up. Therefore still sleeping. Cp. 13:36) into the heavens (see Matt.6:9,10): but he says himself, ‘The Lord said to Jesus, Sit You on My right hand,
35 Until I make Your foes Your footstool’ (= the footstool of Your feet. See Ps.110:1).
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel (see v.14) know assuredly (see note on "safely", Mark 14:44), that God has made that same Jesus, whom you all crucified, both Lord (as in 1 Cor.8:6) and Messiah.”
E² H e 37. Conviction. f 38-40. Apostle's Counsel. g 41-. Converts. J h -41. Souls added. i 42. Continuance. H e 43-. Fear. f -43. Apostles' Miracles. g 44,45. Converts. J i 46,47-. Continuance. h -47. Souls added.
37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced through in their heart, and said to Peter and to the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name (For the formula of baptism, see Ap. 185 in the CB. Note the frequent use of "the name" in the Acts. Cp.3:6,16; 4:10,12,17,18,30 &c. See also Gen.12:8. Ex.3:13-15; 23:21) of Jesus as Messiah for the forgiveness of sins, and you all shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (= free gift, Gr. dôrea. See John 4:10. Always used of Divine gifts. The word dôron is always used of man's gifts, except in Eph.2:8).
39 For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off (Lit. unto far, i.e. the Dispersion of them and the Gentiles. Cp. 22:21. Eph.2:13,17), even as many as the Lord our God shall call to Himself” (He calls. You have to answer).
40 And by many other words did he earnestly testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves away from this crooked generation (= the days of vv.17-21).
41 Then they that received fully his word were baptized:
and the same day there were added to them about three thousand souls (Cp. this with v.37. Some people are a little slow).
42 And (take note of the many "ands") they continued steadfastly (see 1:14) in the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, and in breaking of bread (this was the common meal. Cp. vv.44,46 and Matt.14:19. Isa.58:7), and in the prayers (Cp. 3:1).
43 And fear (= alarm or fright) came to every soul:
and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles (= by the Holy Sprint through the Apostles).
44 And all that believed were together (see v.1), and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men (i.e. to the believers), as any one had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple courts, and breaking bread at home, were partaking of their food (Gr. trophê, nourishment) with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God (Gr. aineô. Always used of Praising God), and having favor in regard to all the people.
And the Lord added to the church (The text omits) daily such as should be saved (= the saved).