Bible Strands
Acts 2:4
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Luke narrates the moment immediately after tongues of fire rested on each disciple (v. 3) and just before the crowd of God-fearing Jews from every nation began to hear them (v. 5–6). The "they" are the gathered disciples in Jerusalem at Pentecost.
The words — ἐπλήσθησαν (eplēsthēsan), aorist passive of πληρόω, marks a one-time, definitive action done to them by an external agent. λαλεῖν (lalein) is a plain verb for "speak," unadorned, which stands in contrast to the dramatic phenomenon it describes.
The thread — Mark 16:17 lists speaking in new tongues as a sign accompanying belief; Acts 4:31 pairs the same filling with speaking the word of God, and Acts 13:52 joins filling with joy. The pattern across these passages is filling followed by speech directed outward.
Why it lands — The passive voice and the clause "as the Spirit enabled them" place both the capacity and the content outside the disciples' control. A reader is asked to take seriously that the Spirit's work is not self-generated or self-directed.
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
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Cross-references
- Mark 16:17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
- Acts 13:52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
- Acts 4:31 After they had prayed, their meeting place was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
- Ephesians 5:18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
- 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.
- 1 Corinthians 14:21 It is written in the Law: “By strange tongues and foreign lips I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to Me, says the Lord.”
- John 14:26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you.
- Acts 7:55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
- Acts 10:46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and exalting God. Then Peter said,
- Acts 9:17 So Ananias went to the house, and when he arrived, he placed his hands on Saul. “Brother Saul,” he said, “the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”