New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Acts 2
2
Suddenly a sound came from heaven. It was like a strong wind blowing. It filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Reference
Song of Solomon 4:16
Parallel theme
Acts 4:31
1 Kings 19:11
Psalm 18:10
John 3:8
Isaiah 65:24
Malachi 3:1
3
They saw something that looked like tongues of fire. The flames separated and settled on each of them.
Reference
4
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit. They began to speak in languages they had not known before. The Spirit gave them the ability to do this.
Reference
Holy
Acts 13:52
Acts 4:31
John 14:26
Acts 7:55
Acts 19:6
Acts 9:17
Parallel theme
Mark 16:17
Acts 10:46
Spirit
Ephesians 5:18
1 Corinthians 12:10
6
A crowd came together when they heard the sound. They were bewildered because they each heard the believers speaking in their own language.
8
Why, then, do we each hear them speaking in our own native language?
9
We are Parthians, Medes and Elamites. We live in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia. We are from Pontus, Asia,
Reference
📍 Locations
10
Phrygia and Pamphylia. Others of us are from Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene. Still others are visitors from Rome.
Reference
📍 Locations
11
Some of the visitors are Jews. Others have accepted the Jewish faith. Also, Cretans and Arabs are here. We hear all these people speaking about God's wonders in our own languages!"
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Corinthians 12:10
Psalm 26:7
Job 9:10
Jeremiah 25:24
Titus 1:12
Isaiah 13:20
Isaiah 28:29
References God
Exodus 15:11
Hebrews 2:4
Isaiah 25:1
13
But some people in the crowd made fun of the believers. "They've had too much wine!" they said.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Corinthians 14:23
14
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven. In a loud voice he spoke to the crowd. "My Jewish friends," he said, "let me explain this to you. All of you who live in Jerusalem, listen carefully to what I say.
Reference
15
You think these people are drunk. But they aren't. It's only nine o'clock in the morning!
16
No, here is what the prophet Joel meant.
17
He said, " 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Holy Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will have dreams.
Reference
Parallel theme
Hebrews 1:2
Isaiah 66:23
Prophecy
1 Corinthians 12:28
Acts 21:9
References God
Luke 3:6
Spirit
Isaiah 44:3
Acts 10:45
John 7:39
Zechariah 12:10
Ezekiel 11:19
18
In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on those who serve me, both men and women. When I do, they will prophesy.
Reference
19
I will show wonders in the heavens above. I will show miraculous signs on the earth below. There will be blood and fire and clouds of smoke.
20
The sun will become dark. The moon will turn red like blood. This will happen before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
Reference
Darkness
Amos 8:9
Matthew 24:29
Mark 13:24
Parallel theme
2 Peter 3:7
Luke 21:25
References Lord
2 Peter 3:10
1 Thessalonians 5:2
Malachi 4:5
Joel 2:1
Joel 3:14
21
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' --(Joel 2:28-32)
Reference
Parallel theme
Hebrews 4:16
Matthew 28:19
References Lord
Joel 2:32
Psalm 86:5
Acts 22:16
1 Corinthians 1:2
Acts 9:15
22
"Men of Israel, listen to this! Jesus of Nazareth was a man who had God's approval. God did miracles, wonders and signs among you through Jesus. You yourselves know this.
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 26:26
References God
Matthew 12:28
Matthew 9:8
Luke 11:20
Hebrews 2:4
References Israel
Acts 5:35
References Jesus
John 3:2
Acts 4:10
Acts 6:14
Word
Acts 21:28
23
Long ago God planned that Jesus would be handed over to you. With the help of evil people, you put Jesus to death. You nailed him to the cross.
Reference
Evil
Genesis 50:20
Parallel theme
Luke 22:22
Acts 4:28
1 Peter 1:20
Acts 13:27
Matthew 26:24
Psalm 76:10
References God
Acts 3:18
Acts 5:30
Romans 4:17
24
But God raised him from the dead. He set him free from the suffering of death. It wasn't possible for death to keep its hold on Jesus.
Reference
Parallel theme
John 10:18
References God
Hebrews 13:20
Resurrection
1 Corinthians 6:14
1 Peter 1:21
Colossians 2:12
Acts 2:32
Ephesians 1:20
Romans 6:4
Romans 8:11
2 Corinthians 4:14
25
David spoke about him. He said, " 'I know that the Lord is always with me. He is at my right hand. I will always be secure.
Reference
Parallel theme
Psalm 109:31
Psalm 62:6
Psalm 62:2
Psalm 73:23
Psalm 30:6
References Lord
Isaiah 41:13
Psalm 110:5
Psalm 21:7
28
You always show me the path that leads to life. You will fill me with joy when I am with you.' --(Psalm 16:8-11)
Reference
Creation
Psalm 21:6
Parallel theme
Psalm 16:11
Hebrews 12:2
Psalm 17:15
Psalm 25:4
Psalm 42:5
Proverbs 2:19
29
"Brothers, you can be sure that King David died. He was buried. His tomb is still here today.
Reference
30
But David was a prophet. He knew that God had made a promise to him. He had taken an oath that someone in David's family line would be king after him.
Reference
Parallel theme
2 Samuel 23:2
Mark 12:36
Prophecy
2 Peter 1:21
References Christ
Romans 1:3
Resurrection
2 Timothy 2:8
31
David saw what was ahead. So he spoke about the Christ rising from the dead. He said that the Christ would not be left in the grave. His body wouldn't rot in the ground.
Reference
33
Jesus has been given a place of honor at the right hand of God. He has received the Holy Spirit from the Father. This is what God had promised. It is Jesus who has poured out what you now see and hear.
Reference
Covenant
Acts 1:4
Galatians 3:14
Holy
John 14:26
Acts 10:45
Parallel theme
Matthew 28:18
John 14:16
References God
Acts 5:31
Mark 16:19
1 Peter 3:22
Spirit
Acts 2:17
34
David did not go up to heaven. But he said, " 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand.
Reference
Parallel theme
Hebrews 1:13
Ephesians 1:22
1 Corinthians 15:25
References Lord
Psalm 110:1
Mark 12:36
36
"So be sure of this, all you people of Israel. You nailed Jesus to the cross. But God has made him both Lord and Christ."
Reference
Parallel theme
Zechariah 13:1
References Christ
2 Corinthians 5:10
Luke 2:11
References God
Ezekiel 34:30
References Israel
Jeremiah 9:26
References Lord
Jeremiah 31:31
Jeremiah 33:14
37
When the people heard this, their hearts were filled with shame. They said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?"
Reference
38
Peter replied, "All of you must turn away from your sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then your sins will be forgiven. You will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Reference
Baptism
Mark 16:16
Acts 8:12
Acts 10:48
1 Peter 3:21
Romans 6:3
Repentance
Acts 17:30
Matthew 4:17
Sin
Acts 22:16
Luke 24:47
Acts 3:19
39
The promise is for you and your children. It is also for all who are far away. It is for all whom the Lord our God will choose."
Reference
Covenant
Hebrews 9:15
Parallel theme
Isaiah 44:3
Romans 8:30
Ephesians 4:4
References God
Acts 15:8
Revelation 19:9
1 Peter 5:10
2 Peter 1:3
References Lord
Joel 2:32
Isaiah 54:13
40
Peter said many other things to warn them. He begged them, "Save yourselves from these evil people."
Reference
Parallel theme
Philippians 2:15
Deuteronomy 32:5
Matthew 17:17
2 Corinthians 6:17
Matthew 16:4
2 Corinthians 5:20
Salvation
1 Timothy 4:16
Witness
Ephesians 4:17
Word
Galatians 5:3
Acts 28:23
41
Those who accepted his message were baptized. About 3,000 people joined the believers that day.
Reference
42
The believers studied what the apostles taught. They shared life together. They broke bread and ate together. And they prayed.
Reference
Kingdom
Hebrews 10:25
Acts 2:46
Parallel theme
1 John 1:3
Acts 20:7
1 John 1:7
Colossians 1:23
Ephesians 2:20
Prayer
Acts 1:14
Ephesians 6:18
Colossians 4:2
45
They sold what they owned. They gave each other everything they needed.
Reference
Good
1 John 3:17
Luke 19:8
Parallel theme
Proverbs 19:17
Luke 18:22
Acts 11:29
Matthew 19:21
2 Corinthians 9:9
Psalm 112:9
46
Every day they met together in the temple courtyard. In their homes they broke bread and ate together. Their hearts were glad and honest and true.
Reference
Kingdom
Acts 2:42
Parallel theme
Acts 20:7
Psalm 86:11
Acts 16:34
Romans 12:8
Nehemiah 8:10
Ecclesiastes 9:7
Sin
2 Corinthians 1:12
Colossians 3:22
Temple
Acts 5:42
47
They praised God. They were respected by all the people. Every day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 16:5
Acts 2:41
Romans 8:30
References God
Acts 2:39
Romans 14:18
Luke 2:52
References Lord
Acts 11:24
Acts 13:48
Salvation
1 Corinthians 1:18
Romans 9:27
Chapter Summary
Acts 2 describes the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Peter's first major public sermon, the proclamation of Jesus' resurrection, the baptism of approximately three thousand people, and the formation of the first large Christian community in Jerusalem.
The chapter begins on the day of Pentecost, when the apostles and other believers are gathered together in Jerusalem as Jesus had instructed them.
Suddenly, a powerful sound like a rushing wind fills the house, and something resembling tongues of fire appears and rests upon each believer.
They are filled with the Holy Spirit and begin speaking in other languages as the Spirit enables them.
This remarkable event attracts a large crowd of Jewish pilgrims who have come to Jerusalem from many parts of the Roman and surrounding world.
The people are amazed because they hear the disciples speaking in their own languages, despite the disciples being Galileans.
Luke's long list of regions emphasizes the international character of the gathering, with people represented from Parthia, Media, Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Egypt, Libya, Rome, Crete, and Arabia.
The event therefore immediately demonstrates that the message about Jesus is intended to cross geographical, cultural, and linguistic boundaries.
While some people are amazed and ask what the event means, others mock the disciples and accuse them of being drunk.
Peter then stands with the other apostles and gives a major public sermon.
He explains that what the crowd is witnessing is connected with the prophecy of Joel and represents the beginning of God's promised outpouring of His Spirit.
Peter then moves from the Holy Spirit to the central subject of his message: Jesus.
He reminds the people that Jesus of Nazareth performed miracles and signs among them, yet was handed over and crucified.
Peter acknowledges both God's purpose and human responsibility in Jesus' death, explaining that although the crucifixion occurred within God's plan, human beings were responsible for the actions that killed Him.
But death could not hold Jesus.
Peter boldly declares that God raised Jesus from the dead, and he presents the apostles themselves as witnesses of the resurrection.
Peter then uses passages from the Psalms to explain why Jesus' resurrection should be understood as the fulfillment of God's promises.
He argues that David died and remained in his tomb, so the prophetic words about God's servant not being abandoned to the grave ultimately point beyond David to the Messiah.
Peter identifies Jesus as the promised descendant of David who has been raised from the dead and exalted to God's right hand.
The Holy Spirit now being poured out on the disciples is presented as evidence that Jesus has been exalted and that God's promise has been fulfilled.
Peter concludes his sermon with a powerful declaration that God has made Jesus, whom the people crucified, both Lord and Messiah.
The crowd is deeply affected by this message and asks what they should do.
Peter tells them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, promising that they will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The response is extraordinary.
About three thousand people are baptized and added to the Christian community on that day.
Acts 2 therefore marks a dramatic transition from the small group of approximately 120 believers waiting in Jerusalem in chapter 1 to a rapidly growing community of thousands.
Luke then describes how these new believers live.
They devote themselves to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, shared meals, and prayer.
They worship together, care for one another, share their possessions, sell property when necessary to meet needs, eat together in their homes, and praise God with joy and sincerity.
The first Christian community is therefore presented not merely as a group that agrees about religious beliefs but as a new community shaped by faith, fellowship, generosity, worship, prayer, and practical care for others.
The chapter ends by saying that the Lord continues adding people to the community every day.
The central message of Acts 2 is that the Holy Spirit empowers Jesus' followers to become His witnesses, the resurrection of Jesus becomes the foundation of their public proclamation, and the Gospel creates a growing community that crosses cultural boundaries and lives with deep spiritual and practical unity.
Pentecost also represents an important reversal of the division associated with different languages.
Instead of requiring everyone to speak one common human language, God enables people from many nations to hear the message in their own languages.
The result is not the elimination of cultural diversity but the creation of unity within diversity, as people from different places are brought together around Jesus.
Acts 2 therefore establishes the pattern that will dominate the rest of the book: the Spirit empowers, the apostles witness, people hear the Gospel, some respond in faith, and the Christian community grows.
What begins in Jerusalem will eventually extend throughout Judea, Samaria, and the wider Roman world, fulfilling Jesus' command from Acts 1 to take His message to the ends of the earth.
The chapter begins on the day of Pentecost, when the apostles and other believers are gathered together in Jerusalem as Jesus had instructed them.
Suddenly, a powerful sound like a rushing wind fills the house, and something resembling tongues of fire appears and rests upon each believer.
They are filled with the Holy Spirit and begin speaking in other languages as the Spirit enables them.
This remarkable event attracts a large crowd of Jewish pilgrims who have come to Jerusalem from many parts of the Roman and surrounding world.
The people are amazed because they hear the disciples speaking in their own languages, despite the disciples being Galileans.
Luke's long list of regions emphasizes the international character of the gathering, with people represented from Parthia, Media, Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Egypt, Libya, Rome, Crete, and Arabia.
The event therefore immediately demonstrates that the message about Jesus is intended to cross geographical, cultural, and linguistic boundaries.
While some people are amazed and ask what the event means, others mock the disciples and accuse them of being drunk.
Peter then stands with the other apostles and gives a major public sermon.
He explains that what the crowd is witnessing is connected with the prophecy of Joel and represents the beginning of God's promised outpouring of His Spirit.
Peter then moves from the Holy Spirit to the central subject of his message: Jesus.
He reminds the people that Jesus of Nazareth performed miracles and signs among them, yet was handed over and crucified.
Peter acknowledges both God's purpose and human responsibility in Jesus' death, explaining that although the crucifixion occurred within God's plan, human beings were responsible for the actions that killed Him.
But death could not hold Jesus.
Peter boldly declares that God raised Jesus from the dead, and he presents the apostles themselves as witnesses of the resurrection.
Peter then uses passages from the Psalms to explain why Jesus' resurrection should be understood as the fulfillment of God's promises.
He argues that David died and remained in his tomb, so the prophetic words about God's servant not being abandoned to the grave ultimately point beyond David to the Messiah.
Peter identifies Jesus as the promised descendant of David who has been raised from the dead and exalted to God's right hand.
The Holy Spirit now being poured out on the disciples is presented as evidence that Jesus has been exalted and that God's promise has been fulfilled.
Peter concludes his sermon with a powerful declaration that God has made Jesus, whom the people crucified, both Lord and Messiah.
The crowd is deeply affected by this message and asks what they should do.
Peter tells them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, promising that they will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The response is extraordinary.
About three thousand people are baptized and added to the Christian community on that day.
Acts 2 therefore marks a dramatic transition from the small group of approximately 120 believers waiting in Jerusalem in chapter 1 to a rapidly growing community of thousands.
Luke then describes how these new believers live.
They devote themselves to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, shared meals, and prayer.
They worship together, care for one another, share their possessions, sell property when necessary to meet needs, eat together in their homes, and praise God with joy and sincerity.
The first Christian community is therefore presented not merely as a group that agrees about religious beliefs but as a new community shaped by faith, fellowship, generosity, worship, prayer, and practical care for others.
The chapter ends by saying that the Lord continues adding people to the community every day.
The central message of Acts 2 is that the Holy Spirit empowers Jesus' followers to become His witnesses, the resurrection of Jesus becomes the foundation of their public proclamation, and the Gospel creates a growing community that crosses cultural boundaries and lives with deep spiritual and practical unity.
Pentecost also represents an important reversal of the division associated with different languages.
Instead of requiring everyone to speak one common human language, God enables people from many nations to hear the message in their own languages.
The result is not the elimination of cultural diversity but the creation of unity within diversity, as people from different places are brought together around Jesus.
Acts 2 therefore establishes the pattern that will dominate the rest of the book: the Spirit empowers, the apostles witness, people hear the Gospel, some respond in faith, and the Christian community grows.
What begins in Jerusalem will eventually extend throughout Judea, Samaria, and the wider Roman world, fulfilling Jesus' command from Acts 1 to take His message to the ends of the earth.