MPV Commentary

Descent of the Spirit--The Disciples Speak with Other Tongues

When the day of Pentecost had fully come, marking the fiftieth day after the first Passover sabbath (Leviticus 23:15-16), the disciples were gathered together in one accord. The solemnity of the day may have unconsciously raised their expectations.

Suddenly a sound came from heaven like a rushing mighty wind. This description is so vivid and striking that it likely comes from an eyewitness account. The suddenness, strength, and diffusiveness of the sound left everyone in awe, preparing them for the heavenly gift. Wind was a familiar symbol of the Spirit (Ezekiel 37:9; John 3:8; 20:22), but this was not actually a rush of wind – it was only a sound like one.

Cloven tongues of fire appeared above their heads, beautiful visible symbols of the burning energy of the Spirit now descending on the Church. This energy would soon pour itself through every tongue and over every tribe of men under heaven.

The disciples began to speak with other languages, real living languages as it became clear from what followed. They were probably uttering the same words, possibly inspired by Old Testament evangelical hymns. It is almost certain that the speakers themselves understood nothing of what they were saying (see 1 Corinthians 14:1-25).

There were devout men from every nation dwelling in Jerusalem at this time, not just temporarily visiting for the feast. The list of nations begins with those farthest east, the Parthians, and proceeds westward through Cappadocia to Pamphylia, then south through Egypt to Cyrene, and finally includes Cretes and Arabians together. This enumeration is designed to convey an impression of universality.