Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from
every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and
they were bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.
And they were amazed and wondered, saying, "Are not all these who are
speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native
language? Par'thians and Medes and E'lamites and residents of Mesopota'mia,
Judea and Cappado'cia, Pontus and Asia, Phryg'ia and Pamphyl'ia, Egypt and the
parts of Libya belonging to Cyre'ne, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and
proselytes, Cretans and Arabians, we hear them telling in our own tongues the
mighty works of God." And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one
another, "What does this mean?" But others mocking said, "They
are filled with new wine."
In a Nutshell
The miracle of that day included the Holy Spirit's
immediate impact upon other Jewish visitors to Jerusalem at that time. The
sound of it was heard and a very large crowd gathered. Jews from different
lands heard the gospel in their own local tongues.
Questions
Does this event tell us
that God's judgment at Babel has been lifted? (you might have to re-read
Genesis 11:1-9).
The outpouring of God's Spirit on the apostles was accompanied by a mighty wind, flames of fire and loud noise. How are we to understand the event? Is it like the layers of an onion? There were the gathered apostles. But the next outer layer was those who heard the sound, realised something momentous was happening and came together. These Jews had come To Jerusalem from wherever they resided in their dispersion around the world. Now in response to the noise they came hurrying, amazed of wonder. What was going on? They were perplexed.
From what Luke writes it was not only the physical features,
the wind, fire and sound that brought
them together. Something deep provoked their attention. Something else brought
them together. And then, from whatever it was that caused them to gather, they
were completely stupefied when they heard Galilean Jews, the apostles, speaking
about God's mighty works. They were hearing in their own local languages from
back home! They had come
from a wide dispersion but almost before they knew what was happening they
found themselves together, united as a group of God's historical children
listening to God's message.
These Jews,
resident in Jerusalem for the Pentecost celebrations, were now part of
something much bigger than the Pentecost harvest festival itself (Exodus
34:22). Whatever it was, it was big, and it reminds us that God's judgment at
the tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9) had now given way to the message of the Messiah
the One who brings God's love and mercy so that it can be shared with all
nations. Instead of every person and each nation going their own separate ways,
these people, who did business in diverse tongues, were now together. The great
things God had done held their attention. God's Spirit was on the move and His
people were coming together. But then not all. Some couldn't understand. Some
probably didn't want to. "They're just drunk" they said. Apparently
drunk people can hear things that sober people can't understand!