_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 ]