Acts 2:9
What does Acts 2:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 2:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 2:9 means
This verse begins a detailed list of the diverse regions from which the Jewish pilgrims had traveled to Jerusalem, emphasizing the widespread impact of the miraculous speech. From the eastern empires of Parthia and Media to the western reaches of Cyrene and Rome, people from these varied cultures were all present. This extensive list highlights the global reach of the initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit, demonstrating that the Gospel was immediately accessible across linguistic and geographical boundaries.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judæa and Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia,
KJV
King James Version · 1611Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judæa and Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Men of Parthia, Media, and Elam, and those living in Mesopotamia, in Judaea and Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and those dwelling in Mesopotamia, in Judea also, and Cappadocia, Pontus, and Asia,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Parthians and Medes and Elamites and inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and those who inhabit Mesopotamia, and Judaea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
Context
Following the crowd's questions about how they could hear their native languages in the previous two verses, this verse begins to vividly illustrate the vast geographical diversity of the listeners. This extensive list confirms that the miraculous language phenomenon was not isolated, but touched people from many nations, setting the scene for a truly international witness to the Spirit's outpouring and the Gospel within Jerusalem.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 20:16
For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
- Acts 19:27
and not only is there danger that this our trade come into disrepute; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana be made of no account, and that she should even be deposed from her magnificence whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.
- Isaiah 11:11
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord will set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, that shall remain, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.
- Judges 3:8
Therefore the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Cushan-rishathaim eight years.
- Acts 19:31
And certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent unto him and besought him not to adventure himself into the theatre.
- 1 Peter 1:1
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect who are sojourners of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
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