Acts 10:46

What does Acts 10:46 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 10:46 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 10:46 means

The evidence of the Holy Spirit's coming was unmistakable: the Gentiles were heard "speak with tongues, and magnify God." This miraculous manifestation, mirroring the experience at Pentecost, provided undeniable proof of their reception of the Spirit. The phenomenon of speaking in tongues and glorifying God was a clear, audible sign that God had indeed accepted these Gentiles, confirming their spiritual regeneration and preparing them for baptism.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And they were talking in tongues, and giving glory to God. Then Peter said,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for they were hearing them speaking with tongues and magnifying God.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For they heard them speaking with tongues and magnifying God.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for they heard them speaking with tongues and magnifyingGod. Then Peter answered,

Context

This verse provides the audible and undeniable proof of the Holy Spirit's outpouring: the Gentiles speaking in tongues and magnifying God. This clear evidence directly addresses the astonishment of the Jewish believers, leaving no room for doubt about the divine origin of this event. This miraculous sign directly prompts Peter's rhetorical question in the next verse, leading to the logical conclusion of their baptism.

v.45And they of the circumcision that believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit.

v.46This passage

v.47Can any man forbid the water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Mark 16:17

    And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues;

  • Acts 19:6

    And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

  • Acts 2:11

    Cretans and Arabians, we hear them speaking in our tongues the mighty works of God.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:20

    Brethren, be not children in mind: yet in malice be ye babes, but in mind be men.

  • Acts 2:4

    And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

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