Acts 2:5
And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
Original Language Analysis
Ἰερουσαλὴμ
Jerusalem
G2419
Ἰερουσαλὴμ
Jerusalem
Strong's:
G2419
Word #:
4 of 15
hierusalem (i.e., jerushalem), the capitol of palestine
κατοικοῦντες
dwelling
G2730
κατοικοῦντες
dwelling
Strong's:
G2730
Word #:
5 of 15
to house permanently, i.e., reside (literally or figuratively)
εὐλαβεῖς
devout
G2126
εὐλαβεῖς
devout
Strong's:
G2126
Word #:
8 of 15
taking well (carefully), i.e., circumspect (religiously, pious)
ἀπὸ
out of
G575
ἀπὸ
out of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
9 of 15
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
ἔθνους
nation
G1484
ἔθνους
nation
Strong's:
G1484
Word #:
11 of 15
a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑπὸ
under
G5259
ὑπὸ
under
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
13 of 15
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
Historical Context
Written circa AD 30 during the Feast of Pentecost (Shavuot), when diaspora Jews gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the wheat harvest and commemorate the giving of the Law at Sinai. These 'God-fearers' from Parthia, Media, Rome, and beyond would return home as witnesses to Pentecost.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's providential gathering of diverse nations at Pentecost reflect His heart for global mission?
- What does the reversal of Babel's judgment teach about the gospel's power to unite diverse peoples?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The gathering of 'devout men, out of every nation under heaven' providentially prepared for Pentecost's universal significance. These diaspora Jews represented the scattered nations from Genesis 11's Babel judgment, now being reversed through the Spirit's gift of languages. God's sovereignty orchestrated this convergence, ensuring the gospel would immediately spread to all known regions through eyewitnesses of Christ's resurrection and the Spirit's descent.