And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse emphasizes that the Spirit was giving utterance; this wasn't a spontaneous outburst but a divinely enabled capacity, highlighting the Spirit's active role in empowering them to communicate God's greatness in languages they hadn't learned. The term "utterance" itself suggests a clear, profound, and inspired delivery, setting this event apart from ordinary speech.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The disciples, after Jesus' ascension and in obedience to his command to wait in Jerusalem, are gathered together, united in prayer and anticipation. This intense period of waiting culminates on the Jewish feast of Pentecost, a day meant to commemorate the harvest and the giving of the Law. Suddenly, a supernatural event occurs: a sound like rushing wind and appearances like flames of fire descend upon them, signifying a powerful new outpouring of God's Spirit.
Were they just excited, or was something more profound happening? The text uses powerful language to describe the disciples' experience.
The verse states, 'they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.' This wasn't a passive experience; it was a complete saturation of their being. Think of a sponge soaking up water—every fiber is permeated. This filling meant their faculties—intellect, emotions, will, and speech—were now under the Spirit's direct influence and power. It was a transformative infusion, leading to immediate action.
What does it truly mean to 'speak in other tongues'? Was it ecstatic babbling or something far more miraculous?
The 'other tongues' were actual, distinct languages that the disciples had not previously learned. The Spirit didn't just give them random sounds; He empowered them to speak fluently in languages from different nations present in Jerusalem. This wasn't 'gibberish' but clear communication of 'the mighty works of God' (v. 11). The word translated 'utterance' suggests a direct, authoritative, and clear proclamation, like that of a prophet or oracle, given by the Spirit's immediate impulse.
Understand the original words
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pneuma · Greek Noun
The third person of the Trinity, the divine agent of God's power, presence, and sanctification in the life of the believer and the Church.
pimplēmi · Greek Verb
To be controlled, empowered, or fully influenced by the Holy Spirit; it implies being under His divine direction and capacity to act in accordance with God's will.
glōssa · Greek Noun
Languages or dialects, often referring to the supernatural ability granted by the Spirit to speak in human languages previously unknown to the speaker, serving as a sign of God's universal redemptive work.
apophthengomai · Greek Verb
A divine enabling or utterance; the capacity granted by the Holy Spirit to communicate God's message or truth.
The event of speaking in other tongues at Pentecost was a miraculous sign, directly fulfilling Old Testament prophecy and Jesus' own promise, serving to gather people from diverse backgrounds under the new covenant, mirroring the scattering at Babel with a divine reuniting.
c. 30 AD
Jesus Ascends to Heaven
After Jesus' resurrection and commission, he ascends to heaven, promising his followers the Holy Spirit.
c. 30 AD
The Disciples Wait in Jerusalem
Jesus' followers gather in Jerusalem, as he instructed, to wait for the promised outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
c. 30 AD— this verse
The Day of Pentecost
On the Jewish feast of Pentecost, a large crowd of Jewish pilgrims from various nations are gathered in Jerusalem.
c. 30 AD
Filling with the Holy Spirit
The believers are suddenly filled with the Holy Spirit, empowering them for ministry and witness.
c. 30 AD
Speaking in Other Languages
Empowered by the Spirit, the believers begin speaking in languages they had not previously known.
c. 30 AD
Crowd's Amazement and Confusion
The diverse crowd hears the believers speaking in their own native languages, leading to amazement and questioning.
c. 30 AD
Peter's Sermon
Peter addresses the crowd, explaining the event as the fulfillment of prophecy and a sign of God's Spirit being poured out.
This passage directly references Isaiah and applies the concept of speaking in 'other tongues' to a divine sign, echoing the miraculous linguistic abilities seen in Acts.
Isaiah 28:11This prophetic verse foretells a future event where God would speak to His people through 'stammering lips' and 'another tongue,' which is seen as a prophecy fulfilled in Acts 2.
Mark 16:17Jesus promised His followers that they would 'speak with new tongues' as a sign following believers, directly anticipating the event described in Acts 2.
Genesis 11:1-9The confusion of languages at Babel, where humanity was scattered due to linguistic barriers, serves as a powerful contrast to the unity and understanding brought by the Spirit's gift of languages at Pentecost.
Acts 10:46This passage describes a similar experience where believers were heard speaking in tongues and praising God, demonstrating that the gift of the Spirit's utterance was not a singular event but a recurring manifestation.
cambridgeActs 2:4: "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."
4 . This verse describes a great miracle, and its simplicity of statement marks it as the record of one who felt that no additional words could make the matter other than one which passed the human understanding. they began to speak with other tongues ] Spoken of as new tongues ( Mark 16:17 ). It means languages which they had not known before, and from the history…
vincentActs 2:4: "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."
BeganBringing into prominence the first impulse of the act. See on began, Acts 1:1.With other tongues (ἑτέραις γλώσσαις)Strictly different, from their native tongues, and also different tongues spoken by the different apostles. See on Matthew 6:24.Gave (ἐδίδου)A graphic imperfect; kept giving them the language and the appropriate words as the case required fro…
The verse emphasizes that the Spirit was giving utterance; this wasn't a spontaneous outburst but a divinely enabled capacity, highlighting the Spirit's active role in empowering them to communicate God's greatness in languages they hadn't learned. The term "utterance" itself suggests a clear, profound, and inspired delivery, setting this event apart from ordinary speech.
The disciples, after Jesus' ascension and in obedience to his command to wait in Jerusalem, are gathered together, united in prayer and anticipation. This intense period of waiting culminates on the Jewish feast of Pentecost, a day meant to commemorate the harvest and the giving of the Law. Suddenly, a supernatural event occurs: a sound like rushing wind and appearances like flames of fire descend upon them, signifying a powerful new outpouring of God's Spirit.
The disciples, after Jesus' ascension and in obedience to his command to wait in Jerusalem, are gathered together, united in prayer and anticipation. This intense period of waiting culminates on the Jewish feast of Pentecost, a day meant to commemorate the harvest and the giving of the Law. Suddenly, a supernatural event occurs: a sound like rushing wind and appearances like flames of fire descend upon them, signifying a powerful new outpouring of God's Spirit.
"And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance." — The verse emphasizes that the Spirit was giving utterance; this wasn't a spontaneous outburst but a divinely enabled capacity, highlighting the Spirit's active role in empowering them to communicat…
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Last reviewed October 2026