Acts 2:11

both Jews and converts to Judaism; Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The assembled crowd of Jews, proselytes, Cretans, and Arabs speaks to one another in astonishment after hearing the apostles proclaim God's works in their native dialects.

The words — The Greek term προσήλυτοι (prosēlutoi) literally means "one who has come near," denoting Gentile converts to Judaism. The verb ἀκούομεν (akouomen) simply states "we hear," emphasizing the crowd's direct auditory experience.

The thread — The phrase "wonders of God" echoes Job 9:10, which describes God's unsearchable works, and Exodus 15:11, which praises His majestic, wonder-performing holiness.

Why it lands — The text records a historical moment of supernatural communication that demands attention rather than explanation. Readers must acknowledge the event as a divine sign that interrupts human confusion and points to God's sovereign action.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

ἸουδαῖοίIoudaioiJews τεteboth καὶkaiand προσήλυτοι,prosēlutoiconverts,ΚρῆτεςKrētes[11] Cretans καὶkaiand Ἄραβες,ArabesArabs —ἀκούομενakouomen[do] we hear λαλούντωνlalountōnspeaking αὐτῶνautōnthem ταῖςtais<the>ἡμετέραιςhēmeteraisin our own γλώσσαιςglōssaistongues τὰtathe μεγαλεῖαmegaleiagreat things τοῦtou<the>θεοῦ;¶theouof God?

King James Version

Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

Cross-references

Exodus 15:11 Who among the gods is like You, O LORD? Who is like You—majestic in holiness, revered with praises, performing wonders?
1 Corinthians 12:10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
Job 9:10 He does great things beyond searching out, and wonders without number.
Psalms 26:7 to raise my voice in thanksgiving and declare all Your wonderful works.
Psalms 78:4 We will not hide them from their children but will declare to the next generation the praises of the LORD and His might and the wonders He has performed.
Jeremiah 25:24 all the kings of Arabia, and all the kings of the mixed tribes who dwell in the desert;
Titus 1:12 As one of their own prophets has said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
Hebrews 2:4 and was affirmed by God through signs, wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.
1 Kings 10:15 not including the revenue from the merchants, traders, and all the Arabian kings and governors of the land.
2 Chronicles 17:11 Some Philistines also brought gifts and silver as tribute to Jehoshaphat, and the Arabs brought him 7,700 rams and 7,700 goats from their flocks.