_When the day of pentecost was fully come_ Of this feast, which had its name from πεντηκοστη, _pentecostee_, (which signifies the fiftieth day,) because it was celebrated fifty days after the passover, see notes on Leviticus 23:15. As our Lord was crucified at one of the great Jewish feasts, it was... [ Continue Reading ]
_And suddenly_ That is, unexpectedly and in a moment, not gradually, as winds generally rise; _there came a sound from heaven_ Not, as some have supposed, like a clap of thunder; but _as of a rushing mighty wind_ A wind strong and violent, coming not only with a loud noise, but with great force, as... [ Continue Reading ]
_They were all filled with the Holy Ghost_ That is, all the one hundred and twenty, as appears from Acts 2:1. At the time of this wonderful appearance, this whole company were abundantly replenished with both the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit, not only in order to their own salvation, but also... [ Continue Reading ]
_And there were dwelling_ Or sojourning; _in Jerusalem, Jews_ Now gathered from all parts, by the peculiar providence of God; _devout_ Greek, ευλαβεις, _pious men, from every nation under heaven_ Should this be taken for an hyperbole, we have other instances in Scripture of the like way of speaking;... [ Continue Reading ]
_But Peter, standing up with the eleven_ Who were then in company with him, and who, doubtless, also all, or at least most of them, addressed the people on this occasion, some in one language, and others in another, speaking by turns, or even altogether, in different parts of the assembly, to those... [ Continue Reading ]
_But this is that which was spoken by the Prophet Joel_ But there is another and better way of accounting for what you see and hear. It is the accomplishment of a remarkable prophecy, in its primary and literal sense intended of these times, and this event. Of this whole paragraph see the notes on J... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ye men of Israel, hear these words_ Let me charge it upon you, as a most important duty, to pay attention to these remarkable words of the prophet, which I have now repeated in your hearing; and a part of which is this day evidently fulfilled, and the rest shall be fulfilled in their season. _Jesus... [ Continue Reading ]
_Him, being delivered_ Unto death, by God his heavenly Father, who not only permitted him to be put to death, but _delivered him up for us all. Romans 8:32_; devoted and gave him up; and yet he was approved of God: and there was nothing in this that implied, in any degree, the disapproving of him. F... [ Continue Reading ]
_For David speaketh concerning him_ Namely, Psalms 16:8, where see the notes. _I foresaw the Lord always before my face_ In the Psalm, according to the Hebrew, it is, _I have set the Lord always before me._ Our Lord Jesus had a constant regard to his Father in his whole undertaking. He set his Fathe... [ Continue Reading ]
_Men and brethren_ Thus he addresses himself to them, with a title of respect; _let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David _ Let it be no offence to you, if I tell you that David cannot be understood here as speaking of himself, but of the Messiah to come. David is here called a _patriarch_... [ Continue Reading ]
_This Jesus_ Whom we assert to be the true Messiah; _hath God raised up_ According to the tenor of his promise; _whereof_ Of which resurrection; _we all are witnesses_ On our personal and certain knowledge; having seen him with our eyes, and examined into the truth of the matter with all possible ca... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now when they heard this_ Having patiently heard Peter out, and not given him the interruption they had been used to give Christ in his discourses; (which was an important point gained;) _they were pricked in their heart_ Or, _were pierced to the heart_, with deep and lively sorrow, and felt such a... [ Continue Reading ]
_And with many other words_ To the same purpose; _did he testify_ Gospel truths; _and exhort_ To gospel duties. In such an accepted time, when the power of the word is felt, and good impressions appear to be made on men's minds, we should add line upon line, and extend our discourses to a greater le... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then they that gladly received his word_, &c. The apostle's exhortation was not given in vain; many were awakened and savingly brought to God by it; for the influence of the Holy Spirit accompanied it, and wrought wonders thereby. Many of the same persons that had been eye-witnesses of the death of... [ Continue Reading ]
_And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine_ Notwithstanding all the apparent danger to which they were exposed, they regularly attended on the word which the apostles preached, and resolutely adhered to their doctrine. And they all lived in the most endearing communion and intimate fr... [ Continue Reading ]
_And all that believed were together_ Meeting as frequently as possible, even in the same place, and at the same time. Or, if this was impracticable, (their number being already, at least, three thousand one hundred and twenty, and in a few days several thousands more,) they probably assembled, as D... [ Continue Reading ]
_And continuing daily with one accord_ With unanimity and fraternal affection; _in the temple_ At the appointed hours of public service. This was their place of rendezvous: and here they worshipped not only on sabbaths, and solemn feast-days, but _every day:_ for to worship God is the daily work of... [ Continue Reading ]