Bible Strands
Acts 2:13
But others mocked them and said, “They are drunk on new wine!”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Unnamed bystanders in Jerusalem respond to the disciples speaking in other tongues during the Pentecost gathering. They address the perplexed crowd by dismissing the phenomenon as drunkenness.
The words — The Greek διαχλευῶντες (diachleuōntes) means mocking, paired with μεμεστωμένοι (memestōmenoi), a perfect participle indicating a completed state of being filled. These terms frame the accusation as a deliberate dismissal of the event.
The thread — The charge mirrors the taunt in 1 Samuel 1:14 and anticipates the warning in 1 Corinthians 14:23 that uninstructed observers will misinterpret spiritual manifestations. Zechariah 10:7 provides a contrasting image where wine signifies joy rather than confusion.
Why it lands — The text records a literal accusation of drunkenness before Peter’s response, requiring the reader to recognize how natural explanations are used to dismiss divine acts. It demands a clear-eyed assessment of spiritual phenomena against cultural assumptions.
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
King James Version
Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 14:23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who are uninstructed or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds?
- 1 Samuel 1:14 and said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put away your wine!”
- Zechariah 10:7 Ephraim will be like a mighty man, and their hearts will be glad as with wine. Their children will see it and be joyful; their hearts will rejoice in the LORD.
- Acts 2:15 These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It is only the third hour of the day!
- Job 32:19 Behold, my belly is like unvented wine; it is about to burst like a new wineskin.
- Isaiah 25:6 On this mountain the LORD of Hosts will prepare a lavish banquet for all the peoples, a feast of aged wine, of choice meat, of finely aged wine.
- Zechariah 9:15 The LORD of Hosts will shield them. They will destroy and conquer with slingstones; they will drink and roar as with wine. And they will be filled like sprinkling bowls, drenched like the corners of the altar.
- Zechariah 9:17 How lovely they will be, and how beautiful! Grain will make the young men flourish, and new wine, the young women.
- Ephesians 5:18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
- Song of Solomon 7:9 and your mouth like the finest wine. May it flow smoothly to my beloved, gliding gently over lips and teeth.