Acts 2:3
What does Acts 2:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 2:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 2:3 means
Visible signs accompanied the auditory manifestation of the Holy Spirit's arrival. The 'tongues parting asunder, like as of fire' indicated a divine empowerment for proclamation. Fire in biblical imagery often represents God's purifying presence, judgment, and empowerment. The fact that these 'tongues' sat upon *each one* of them emphasizes the personal reception of the Holy Spirit by every individual believer, signifying their readiness for ministry and witness.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And they saw tongues, like flames of fire, coming to rest on every one of them.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and there appeared to them divided tongues, as it were of fire; it sat also upon each one of them,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And there appeared to them parted tongues, as it were of fire: and it sat upon every one of them.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And there appeared to them parted tongues, as of fire, and it sat upon each one of them.
Context
Building on the sound of the mighty wind in the previous verse, this verse introduces a second, visible sign of the Holy Spirit's coming: tongues of fire. These two sensory experiences—sound and sight—precede the actual filling of the believers, setting the miraculous context for the Spirit's empowerment of the disciples that is described next.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 11:2
And the Spirit of Jehovah shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Jehovah.
- Luke 24:32
And they said one to another, Was not our heart burning within us, while he spake to us in the way, while he opened to us the scriptures?
- 1 Corinthians 12:10
and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discernings of spirits: to another divers kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues:
- Revelation 14:6
And I saw another angel flying in mid heaven, having eternal good tidings to proclaim unto them that dwell on the earth, and unto every nation and tribe and tongue and people;
- John 1:32
And John bare witness, saying, I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven; and it abode upon him.
- Jeremiah 23:29
Is not my word like fire? saith Jehovah; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Acts 2
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Acts 2.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Baptism
Baptism is a significant act symbolizing new life in Christ, repentance, and identification with his death, burial, and resurrection.
Topic
Bible Verses About The Church
The church, in its various forms, is a central theme in Scripture, revealing God's plan for humanity's redemption and community
Topic
Bible Verses About Communion
Communion, often called the Lord's Supper, is a sacred practice remembering Jesus' sacrifice and looking forward to His return.
What the Bible says about…