Acts 2:6

Verse

And when this sound rang out, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking his own language.

American Standard Version (1901)

And when this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speaking in his own language.

Bible in Basic English

And when this sound came to their ears, they all came together, and were greatly surprised because every man was hearing the words of the disciples in his special language.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded in mind, because that every man heard them speak in his own tongue.

Free Bible Version

When they heard this noise, a large crowd of them gathered. They were puzzled because everyone heard their own language being spoken.

Geneva Bible 1599

Nowe when this was noised, the multitude came together and were astonied, because that euery man heard them speake his owne language.

King James (Authorized) Version

Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

Plain English Version

They heard the noise, and they crowded around that house. They heard Jesus’s followers talking in the languages of all their different countries, and they were really surprised.

Translation for Translators

When they heard that loud noise like a wind, a crowd came together to the place where the believers were. The crowd ◄was amazed/did not know what to think►, because each of them was hearing one of the believers speaking in that person’s own language.

Unlocked Literal Bible

When this sound was heard, the multitude came together and was confused because everyone heard them speaking in his own language.

Noah Webster Bible

Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because every man heard them speak in his own language.

World English Bible

When this sound was heard, the multitude came together and were bewildered, because everyone heard them speaking in his own language.

Young's Literal Translation

and the rumour of this having come, the multitude came together, and was confounded, because they were each one hearing them speaking in his proper dialect,

Context

The Holy Spirit at Pentecost

⁵Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.⁶And when this sound rang out, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking his own language.

Sermons

The Greatest Wind That Ever Blew

Ian Paisley

880

Summary

This verse describes the miraculous event of the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples, enabling them to speak in different languages. The diverse crowd in Jerusalem was amazed and astonished to hear the disciples speaking in their own native tongues, highlighting the power and universality of the message of the Gospel. This supernatural manifestation signified the beginning of the spread of the Gospel to people of all nations, foreshadowing the global impact of Christianity. The language barrier was overcome by the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the inclusive nature of God's salvation plan for all people, regardless of their background or nationality.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

When this was noised abroad - If we suppose that there was a considerable peal of thunder, which followed the escape of a vast quantity of electric fluid, and produced the mighty rushing wind already noticed on Act 2:2, then the whole city must have been alarmed; and, as various circumstances might direct their attention to the temple, having flocked thither they were farther astonished and confounded to hear the disciples of Christ addressing the mixed multitude in the languages of the different countries from which these people had come. Every man heard them speak in his own language - Use may naturally suppose that, as soon as any person presented himself to one of these disciples, he, the disciple, was immediately enabled to address him in his own language, however various this had been from the Jewish or Galilean dialects. If a Roman presented himself, the disciple was immediately enabled to address him in Latin - if a Grecian, in Greek - an Arab, in Arabic, and so of the rest.

John Gill Bible Commentary

Now when this was noised abroad,.... Or "when this voice was made"; referring either to the sound, as of a mighty rushing wind, which came from heaven; and might not only be heard by those in the house, into which it came, but by the inhabitants of the city, as it came down from heaven; so the Arabic version renders it, "when the aforesaid sound was made": or else to the apostles' voice, and their speaking with divers tongues; which being heard by some, was told to others, and a rumour of it being made through the city, the multitude came together; to the house, or temple, where the disciples were; and this multitude did not consist only of the devout Jews, before mentioned; but of others who scoffed and mocked at the apostles, and who had been concerned in the crucifying of Christ: and were confounded; or "confused"; they ran and came together in a disorderly and tumultuous manner; the whole city was in an uproar, the assembly on this occasion was a perfect mob; their numbers were so large, that they were ready to thrust each other down, and trample one another under foot: the Vulgate Latin adds, "in mind"; they did not know what to think of things, they were so astonished at what they heard, that they were scarcely themselves; they were as persons stupid and senseless; being filled partly with shame and confusion, and partly with wonder and amazement, that these illiterate men, the followers of Jesus of Nazareth, whom they had crucified, and whose disciples they had in so much contempt, should have such extraordinary gifts bestowed on them: because that every man heard them speak in his own language; which shows, what has been before observed, that one spake in one language, and another in another language; or the same person sometimes spoke one language, and sometimes another; so that in course, all languages were spoken by them; whence it appears, that it was not one language only which was spoken by the apostles, which men of different languages heard and understood, as if it was their own; for then the miracle must have been in the hearers, and not in the speakers; and the cloven tongues, as of fire, should rather have sat on them, than on the disciples; and these men be said to be filled with the gifts of the Holy Ghost, rather than they.