King James Version
What Does Acts 2:6 Mean?
“Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. was: Gr. voice was made confounded: or, troubled in mind”
Context
4
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5
And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
6
Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. was: Gr. voice was made confounded: or, troubled in mind
7
And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another , Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
8
And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(6) **When this was noised abroad. . . .**—Better *When there had been this voice, *or *utterance.* The word for “voice” is never used for rumour or report in the New Testament; always of some utterance—human (Matthew 3:3; Galatians 4:20), angelic (1Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 5:11), or divine (Matthew 3:17; Matthew 17:5). In John 3:7 (see Note there) we find it used, in the same connection as in this verse, for the “voice” or “utterance” of the Spirit.
**Were confounded.**—The word is peculiar to the Acts (Acts 9:22; Acts 19:32). If we were to draw a distinction between two words of cognate meaning with each other and with the Greek, *confused* would, perhaps, be a better rendering than confounded.
**Every man heard them speak.**—The verb is in the imperfect. They went on listening in their amazement as one after another heard the accents of his own language.
**In his own language.**—Another word peculiar to the Acts. (See Note on Acts 1:19.) It stands as an equivalent for the “tongue” in Acts 2:11, but was used for a *dialect, *in the modern sense of the term, as well as for a distinct language.
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
Acts 2:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to Acts 2:6
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge