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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad12.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/acts/2-11.htm" title="Acts 2:11">◄</a> Acts 2:12 <a href="/acts/2-13.htm" title="Acts 2:13">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/acts/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/acts/2.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, &#8220What does this mean?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/acts/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/acts/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/acts/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Astounded and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/acts/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And all were amazed, and were perplexed, saying to one another, "What wishes this to be?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/acts/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/acts/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/acts/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/acts/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, &#8220What does this mean?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/acts/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/acts/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And they all continued in astonishment and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/acts/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And they were beside themselves with amazement and were greatly perplexed, saying one to another, “What could this mean?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/acts/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They were all astounded and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/acts/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They were all astounded and perplexed, saying to one another, &#8220What could this be?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/acts/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And they were all amazed, and were perplexed, saying one to another, What meaneth this?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/acts/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Everyone was excited and confused. Some of them even kept asking each other, "What does all this mean?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/acts/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And they were all amazed, and were perplexed, saying one to another, What meaneth this?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/acts/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />All of these devout men were stunned and puzzled. They asked each other, "What can this mean?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/acts/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Amazed and confused, they kept asking each other, "What does this mean?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/acts/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />All of them continued to be stunned and puzzled, and they kept asking one another, "What can this mean?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/acts/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Astounded and perplexed, they asked one another, ?What does this mean??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/acts/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />All were astounded and greatly confused, saying to one another, "What does this mean?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/acts/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They were all amazed, and were perplexed, saying one to another, "What does this mean?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/acts/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/acts/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />They were all astounded and bewildered, and asked one another, "What can this mean?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/acts/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They were all amazed and were perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/acts/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying to one another, “What would this wish to be?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/acts/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And all were amazed, and were perplexed, saying to one another, "What wishes this to be?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/acts/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one unto another, 'What would this wish to be?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/acts/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And all were affected in mind, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What may this mean to be?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/acts/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they were all astonished, and wondered, saying one to another: What meaneth this? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/acts/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And they were all astonished, and they wondered, saying to one another: “But what does this mean?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/acts/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They were all astounded and bewildered, and said to one another, “What does this mean?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/acts/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/acts/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And they were all amazed and stunned, saying one to another, what does this mean?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/2.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And they were all astonished and bewildered. They were saying one to another, “What is this phenomenon?”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/acts/2.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />And they were all in amazement and doubt, and said, one to another: What can this mean?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/acts/2.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />And all were astounded and bewildered, saying one to another, What does this wish to be?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/acts/2.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />And they were all amazed, and much perplexed, and knew not what to think, saying one to another, What can this mean?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/acts/2.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />and they were all amazed, and perplex'd, saying one to another, what can the meaning of this be?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/acts/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />They were all astounded and bewildered, and asked one another, "What can this mean?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/acts/2.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />And they were all amazed, and perplexed, saying one to another, "What does this mean?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/acts/2.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />And they were all amazed and in doubt, saying one to another, What can this mean?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/acts/2-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=334" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/acts/2.htm">The Holy Spirit at Pentecost</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">11</span>both Jews and converts to Judaism; Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1839.htm" title="1839: Existanto (V-IIM-3P) -- From ek and histemi; to put out of wits, i.e. Astound, or become astounded, insane.">Astounded</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: pantes (Adj-NMP) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole."></a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/1280.htm" title="1280: diēporoun (V-IIA-3P) -- To be in trouble, doubt, difficulty; To be at a loss. From dia and aporeo; to be thoroughly nonplussed.">perplexed,</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legontes (V-PPA-NMP) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">they asked</a> <a href="/greek/4314.htm" title="4314: pros (Prep) -- To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward."></a> <a href="/greek/243.htm" title="243: allos (Adj-NMS) -- Other, another (of more than two), different. A primary word; else, i.e. Different.">one another,</a> <a href="/greek/243.htm" title="243: allon (Adj-AMS) -- Other, another (of more than two), different. A primary word; else, i.e. Different."></a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: Ti (IPro-NNS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">“What</a> <a href="/greek/2309.htm" title="2309: thelei (V-PIA-3S) -- To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. ">does</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: touto (DPro-NNS) -- This; he, she, it. ">this</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: einai (V-PNA) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">mean?”</a> </span> <span class="reftext">13</span>But others mocked them and said, “They are drunk on new wine!”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/2-28.htm">Joel 2:28-32</a></span><br />And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. / Even on My menservants and maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days. / I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/7-37.htm">John 7:37-39</a></span><br />On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. / Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’” / He was speaking about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. For the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/28-11.htm">Isaiah 28:11-12</a></span><br />Indeed, with mocking lips and foreign tongues, He will speak to this people / to whom He has said: “This is the place of rest, let the weary rest; this is the place of repose.” But they would not listen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/14-22.htm">1 Corinthians 14:22-23</a></span><br />Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers. / So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who are uninstructed or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/11-25.htm">Numbers 11:25-29</a></span><br />Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and He took some of the Spirit that was on Moses and placed that Spirit on the seventy elders. As the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied—but they never did so again. / Two men, however, had remained in the camp—one named Eldad and the other Medad—and the Spirit rested on them. They were among those listed, but they had not gone out to the tent, and they prophesied in the camp. / A young man ran and reported to Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/16-7.htm">John 16:7-15</a></span><br />But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. / And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: / in regard to sin, because they do not believe in Me; ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/36-26.htm">Ezekiel 36:26-27</a></span><br />I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. / And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-23.htm">Matthew 12:23</a></span><br />The crowds were astounded and asked, “Could this be the Son of David?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/10-10.htm">1 Samuel 10:10-11</a></span><br />When Saul and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a group of prophets met him. Then the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied along with them. / When all those who had formerly known Saul saw him prophesying with the prophets, they asked one another, “What has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/12-10.htm">Zechariah 12:10</a></span><br />Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/24-49.htm">Luke 24:49</a></span><br />And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. But remain in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/31-31.htm">Jeremiah 31:31-34</a></span><br />Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. / It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant they broke, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD. / “But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/14-16.htm">John 14:16-17</a></span><br />And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever— / the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/2-12.htm">1 Corinthians 2:12-14</a></span><br />We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. / And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. / The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-3.htm">Isaiah 44:3</a></span><br />For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and currents on the dry ground. I will pour out My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What means this?</p><p class="hdg">What.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/10-17.htm">Acts 10:17</a></b></br> Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/17-20.htm">Acts 17:20</a></b></br> For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/15-26.htm">Luke 15:26</a></b></br> And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/2-7.htm">Amazed</a> <a href="/john/5-20.htm">Amazement</a> <a href="/luke/8-56.htm">Astounded</a> <a href="/acts/2-6.htm">Bewildered</a> <a href="/acts/1-14.htm">Continued</a> <a href="/john/20-27.htm">Doubt</a> <a href="/acts/2-11.htm">Great</a> <a href="/acts/1-16.htm">Mean</a> <a href="/acts/17-20.htm">Mean</a> <a href="/matthew/12-7.htm">Meaneth</a> <a href="/john/13-22.htm">Perplexed</a> <a href="/luke/24-4.htm">Perplexity</a> <a href="/acts/1-21.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/acts/2-6.htm">Surprised</a> <a href="/john/18-39.htm">Wish</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/3-12.htm">Amazed</a> <a href="/acts/3-10.htm">Amazement</a> <a href="/acts/3-11.htm">Astounded</a> <a href="/acts/8-11.htm">Bewildered</a> <a href="/acts/2-42.htm">Continued</a> <a href="/acts/2-36.htm">Doubt</a> <a href="/acts/2-20.htm">Great</a> <a href="/acts/7-28.htm">Mean</a> <a href="/acts/17-20.htm">Mean</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/29-24.htm">Meaneth</a> <a href="/acts/5-24.htm">Perplexed</a> <a href="/acts/5-24.htm">Perplexity</a> <a href="/acts/2-26.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/acts/4-13.htm">Surprised</a> <a href="/acts/7-28.htm">Wish</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/2-1.htm">The apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, and speaking various languages, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/2-12.htm">are admired by some, and derided by others;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/2-14.htm">whom Peter disproves;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">37. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/2-37.htm">he baptizes a great number who were converted;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">41. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/2-41.htm">who afterwards devoutly and charitably converse together; </a></span><br><span class="reftext">43. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/2-43.htm">the apostles working many miracles, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">46. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/2-46.htm">and God daily increasing his church.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/acts/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Astounded and perplexed</b><br>The crowd's reaction of being "astounded and perplexed" reflects the extraordinary nature of the events they witnessed. This occurred during the Feast of Pentecost, a significant Jewish festival, which drew Jews from various regions to Jerusalem. The sudden ability of the apostles to speak in different languages was a miraculous sign, fulfilling Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit's power (<a href="/acts/1-8.htm">Acts 1:8</a>). The terms "astounded" and "perplexed" indicate a mix of amazement and confusion, highlighting the supernatural aspect of the event. This reaction is reminiscent of other biblical instances where divine intervention left people in awe, such as the parting of the Red Sea (<a href="/exodus/14-31.htm">Exodus 14:31</a>).<p><b>they asked one another</b><br>The phrase "they asked one another" suggests a communal effort to understand the phenomenon. This reflects the Jewish tradition of discussing and interpreting events collectively, often seen in synagogues and among the Pharisees. The communal nature of their inquiry underscores the importance of community in seeking understanding and truth, a theme prevalent throughout Scripture (<a href="/proverbs/27-17.htm">Proverbs 27:17</a>).<p><b>“What does this mean?”</b><br>The question "What does this mean?" indicates a search for understanding and purpose behind the miraculous event. This question is central to the narrative, as it sets the stage for Peter's subsequent sermon, where he explains the fulfillment of prophecy from <a href="/joel/2-28.htm">Joel 2:28-32</a> and the significance of Jesus' resurrection and ascension. The inquiry reflects a deeper spiritual hunger and openness to divine revelation, echoing the prophetic tradition where signs and wonders often required interpretation (<a href="/daniel/5-25.htm">Daniel 5:25-28</a>). This moment also prefigures the spread of the Gospel, as the understanding of God's work through Christ would soon extend beyond the Jewish community to the Gentiles.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_apostles.htm">The Apostles</a></b><br>The primary figures in <a href="/bsb/acts/2.htm">Acts 2</a>, filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking in various tongues.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_crowd.htm">The Crowd</a></b><br>Composed of Jews from every nation under heaven, gathered in Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city where the events of Pentecost take place, a central location for Jewish worship and pilgrimage.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/pentecost.htm">Pentecost</a></b><br>A Jewish feast occurring fifty days after Passover, marking the giving of the Law at Sinai and now the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_holy_spirit.htm">The Holy Spirit</a></b><br>The third person of the Trinity, whose arrival fulfills Jesus' promise and empowers the apostles for ministry.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">The Power of the Holy Spirit</a></b><br>The Holy Spirit empowers believers to witness and fulfill God's mission. We should seek His guidance and strength in our daily lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_timing.htm">God's Sovereignty in Timing</a></b><br>The events of Pentecost occur at a divinely appointed time, reminding us that God's timing is perfect in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/unity_in_diversity.htm">Unity in Diversity</a></b><br>The diverse crowd hearing the apostles in their own languages illustrates God's desire for unity among His people, transcending cultural and linguistic barriers.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_seeking_understanding.htm">The Importance of Seeking Understanding</a></b><br>The crowd's question, "What does this mean?" encourages us to seek understanding and clarity in our spiritual journey.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/fulfillment_of_prophecy.htm">Fulfillment of Prophecy</a></b><br>The events of Pentecost demonstrate the reliability of God's promises and prophecies, encouraging us to trust in His Word.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_acts_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Acts 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_speaking_in_tongues.htm">What is the gift of speaking in tongues?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_women_teach_in_church.htm">Can women teach in church? (1 Timothy 2:12 vs. Acts 18:26)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_can_we_'bless_the_lord'.htm">How does Psalm 134's call to 'bless the Lord' fit with passages like Genesis 12:2, where only God imparts blessing?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/dreams_visions__meaning_and_reliability.htm">What do dreams and visions mean and their reliability?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/acts/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) <span class= "bld">They were all amazed, and were in doubt.</span>--The last word is somewhat stronger in the Greek: "were much perplexed," as in <a href="/luke/24-4.htm" title="And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:">Luke 24:4</a>. No New Testament writer uses it except St. Luke.<p><span class= "bld">What meaneth this?</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">What may this mean?</span> The same phrase occurs in <a href="/acts/17-18.htm" title="Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seems to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached to them Jesus, and the resurrection.">Acts 17:18</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> <span class="accented">- Perplexed</span> for <span class="accented">in doubt</span>, A.V. and T.R. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/acts/2-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Amazed</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἐξίσταντο</span> <span class="translit">(Existanto)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1839.htm">Strong's 1839: </a> </span><span class="str2">From ek and histemi; to put out of wits, i.e. Astound, or become astounded, insane.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">perplexed,</span><br /><span class="grk">διηπόρουν</span> <span class="translit">(diēporoun)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1280.htm">Strong's 1280: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be in trouble, doubt, difficulty; To be at a loss. From dia and aporeo; to be thoroughly nonplussed.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they asked</span><br /><span class="grk">λέγοντες</span> <span class="translit">(legontes)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">one another,</span><br /><span class="grk">ἄλλος</span> <span class="translit">(allos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_243.htm">Strong's 243: </a> </span><span class="str2">Other, another (of more than two), different. A primary word; 'else, ' i.e. Different.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“What</span><br /><span class="grk">Τί</span> <span class="translit">(Ti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">does</span><br /><span class="grk">θέλει</span> <span class="translit">(thelei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2309.htm">Strong's 2309: </a> </span><span class="str2">To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">this</span><br /><span class="grk">τοῦτο</span> <span class="translit">(touto)</span><br /><span class="parse">Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> </span><span class="str2">This; he, she, it. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">mean?”</span><br /><span class="grk">εἶναι</span> <span class="translit">(einai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Infinitive Active<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/2-12.htm">Acts 2:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/acts/2-12.htm">Acts 2:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/acts/2-12.htm">Acts 2:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/acts/2-12.htm">Acts 2:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/acts/2-12.htm">Acts 2:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/2-12.htm">Acts 2:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/2-12.htm">Acts 2:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/2-12.htm">Acts 2:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/acts/2-12.htm">Acts 2:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/acts/2-12.htm">Acts 2:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/acts/2-12.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 2:12 They were all amazed and were perplexed (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/2-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 2:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 2:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/2-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 2:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 2:13" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>