2:1 day of Pentecost. The 50th day after the Sabbath of Passover week (Lev 23:15-16), thus the first day of the week. Pentecost is also called the Feast of Weeks (Dt 16:10), the Feast of Harvest (Ex 23:16) and the day of firstfruits (Nu 28:26). they were all together. The nearest antecedent of “they” is the 11 apostles (plus Matthias), but the reference is probably to all those mentioned in 1:13-15. in one place. Evidently not the upstairs room where they were staying (1:13) but perhaps some place in the temple precincts, for the apostles were “continually at the temple” when it was open (Lk 24:53; see note there). 2:2 violent wind. Breath or wind is a symbol of the Spirit of God (see Eze 37:9,14; Jn 3:8). The coming of the Spirit is marked by audible (wind) and visible (fire) signs. whole house. May refer to the temple (cf. 7:47).

2:3 tongues. A descriptive metaphor appropriate to the context, in which several languages are about to be spoken. fire. A symbol of the divine presence (see Ex 3:2 and note), it was also associated with judgment (see Mt 3:12).

2:4 All of them. Could refer either to the apostles or to the 120. Those holding that the 120 are meant point to the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy (vv. 17-18) as involving more than the 12 apostles. The nearest reference, however, is to the apostles (see note on v. 1), and the narrative continues with Peter and the 11 standing to address the crowd (v. 14). filled with the Holy Spirit. A fulfillment of 1:5,8; see also Jesus’ promise in Lk 24:49. Their spirits were completely under the control of the Spirit; their words were his words. in other tongues. The Spirit enabled them to speak in languages they had not previously learned (see NIV text note). Two other examples of speaking in tongues are found in Acts (10:46; 19:6). One extended NT passage deals with this spiritual gift (lCo 12-14). Not all agree, however, that these other’ passages refer to speaking in known languages. The gift had particular relevance here, where people of different nationalities and languages were gathered.

2:5 God-fearing Jews. Devout Jews from different parts of the world but assembled now in Jerusalem either as visitors or as current residents (cf. Lk 2:25-2:6) speaking in his own language. Jews from different parts of the world would understand the Aramaic of their homeland. Also the Greek language was common to all parts of the world. But more than this was occurring; they heard the apostles speak in languages native to the different places represented.

2:9 Parthians. Inhabitants of the territory from the Tigris to India. Medes. Media lay east of Mesopotamia, northwest of Persia and south-southwest of the Caspian Sea. Elamites. Elam was north of the Persian Gulf, bounded on the west by the Tigris. Mepotamia. Between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers. Judea. The homeland of the Jews, perhaps used here in the OT sense “from the river of Egypt the Euphrates” (Ge 15:18), including Galilee. Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia. Districts in Asia Minor.

1:1 my former book. The Gospel of Luke. Acts was addressed to the same patron, Theophilus (see Introduction to Luke: Recipient and Purpose). began to do and to teach. An apt summation of Luke’s Gospel, implying that Jesus’ work continues in Acts through his own personal interventions and the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

1:2 taken up to heaven. The last scene of Luke’s Gospel (24:50—52) and the opening scene of this second volume (vv. 6—11). The ascension occurred 40 days after the resurrection (v. 3). through the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ postresurrection instruction of his apostles was carried on through the Holy Spirit, and succeeding statements make it clear that what the apostles were to accomplish was likewise to be done through the Spirit (vv. 4-5,8; see Lk 24:49; Jn 20:22; see also Introduction to Judges: Theme and Theology). Luke characteristically stresses the Holy Spirit’s work and enabling power (e.g., v. 8; 2:4,17; 4:8,31; 5:3; 6:3,5; 7:55; 8:16; 9:17,31; 10:44; 13:2,4; 15:28; 16:6; 19:2,6; see note on Lk 4:1).

1:3 many convincing proofs. See the resurrection appearances (Mt 28:1—20; Lk 24:1—53; Jn 20:1—29; ICo 15:3—8). kingdom of God. The heart of Jesus’ preaching (see notes on Mt 3:2; Lk 4:43).

1:4 the gift my Father promised. The Holy Spirit (see Jn 14:26; 15:26—27; 16:12—13).

1:5 John baptized with water. See Lk 3:16. in a few days. The day of Pentecost came ten days later, when the baptism with the Holy Spirit occurred (2:1-4).

2:1-12 David Rosales, Calvary Chapel of the Chino Valley, Chino, California

2:1 a wedding. Little is known of how a wedding was performed in first-century Palestine, but clearly the feast was very important and might go on for a week. To fail in proper hospitality was a serious offense. Cana. Mentioned only in John’s Gospel 2:11; 4:46,50; 21:2). It was west of the Sea of Galilee, but the exact location is unknown.

2:3 When the wine was gone. More than a minor social embarrassment, since the family had an obligation to provide a feast of the socially required standard. There was no great variety in beverages, and people normally drank water or wine.

2:4 My time has not yet come. Several similar expressions scattered through this Gospel (7:6,8,30; 8:20) picture Jesus moving inevitably toward the destiny for which he had come: the time of his sacrificial death on the cross. At the crucifixion and resurrection Jesus’ time had truly come (12:23,27; 13,1;16:32; 17:1).

2:6 ceremonial washing. Jews became ceremonially defiled during the normal circumstances of daily life, and were cleansed by pouring water over the hands. For a lengthy feast with many guests a large amount of water was required for this purpose. holding. Refers to capacity, not actual content.

2:11 signs. John always refers to Jesus’ miracles as “signs,” a word emphasizing the significance of the action rather than the marvel (see, eg 4:54; :6:14; 9:16; 11:47). They revealed Jesus’ glory (see 1:14; cf. lsa 35:1-2; Joel 3:18 Am 9:13).

2:12 went down. Situated on the shore of the lake, Capernaum was at a lower level than Cana. brothers. see note on Lk 8:19.

2:13 Passover. See Ex 12 and notes on Ex 12:11-23; see also: notes on Mt 26:17,18-30; Mk 14:1,12; Lk 22:1; and chart on “OT Feasts and Other Sacred Days,” p. 224. Passover was one of the annual feasts that all Jewish men were required to celebrate in Jerusalem (Dt 16:16). See note on 5:1.

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4:1 Pharisees. The religious leaders took a close interest in John the Baptist (see note on 1:24) and then also in Jesus.

4:2 The disciples did not baptize without Jesus’ approval (3:22).

4:3 left Judea. Success (which aroused opposition; see 7:1), not failure, led Jesus to leave Judea.

4:4 had to go. The necessity lay in Jesus’ mission, not in geography. Samaria. Here the whole region, not simply the city. Jews often avoided Samaria by crossing the Jordan and traveling on the east (see notes on Mt 10:5; Lk 9:52).

4:5 Sychar. A small village near Shechem. Jacob bought some land in the vicinity of Shechem (Ge 33:18-19), and it was apparently this land that he gave to Joseph (Ge 48:21-22). See map on p 201.

4:6 Jacob’s well. Mentioned nowhere else in Scripture. about the sixth hour. About 12:00 noon.

4:7 to draw water. People normally drew water the end of the day rather than in the heat of midday (see Ge 24:11 and note). But the practice is attested by Josephus, who says that the young ladies whom Moses helped (Ex 2:15-17) came to draw water at noon.

4:9 The point of the NIV text note (and probably of the text) is that a Jew would become ceremonially unclean if he used a drinking vessel handled by a Samaritan, since the Jews held that all Samaritans were “unclean.”

Author
The apostle John.

Audience
Followers of Jesus. John wrote to convince unbelievers and the doubting.

Date
About a.d. 85–90, before John’s exile to the island of Patmos.

Setting
John’s eyewitness account is presumably the last Gospel written.

Verse to Remember
“But these are written that you may believe
that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (20:31)

Theme to Consider
By faith, we must accept the facts about Jesus. He is the Son of God who gives eternal life.

True Identity