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Pentecost · The Day of Pentecost · Year A

Acts 2:1-21

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

May 24, 2026

Pentecost, Giotto and workshop
Pentecost, Giotto and workshop, about 1310-1318The National Gallery, London
The apostles sit together in the house as the flames of the Spirit rest on them, while two bewildered onlookers press at the door.When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place … Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them.Giotto and workshopThe Florentine who began the great age of Italian painting.The National Gallery, LondonThe National Gallery, London.The National Gallery, London
LSB Three-Year Lectionary
GospelJohn 7:37-39Jn 7:37-39
EpistleActs 2:1-21
Old TestamentNum. 11:24-30Nm 11:24-30
PsalterPs. 25:1-15Ps 25:1-15

Overview & Insights

“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues.” (Acts 2:4)

The history of the early church was far more complex than Luke would have us believe. But we may still accept that it began with “a determinative Jerusalem Pentecost” that gave the church its impetus and character. The essential historicity of this event has been firmly established (see Dunn, Jesus , pp. 135–56). To an outside observer, it might have appeared as an outburst of enthusiasm within the sect of the Nazarenes. To the believers, it was an episode of critical importance in the history of salvation (see Martin, p. 70), for it saw the fulfillment of the Father’s promises in the prophecies of Isaiah 32:15 and Joel 2:28–32 (cf. 1:14f.), indicating thereby that a new age had dawned and that the kingdom of God had come (see disc. on 1:6).

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Commentary

Commentary on Acts 2:1-21 Working Preacher

The Lutheran lectionary voice on the Pentecost outpouring of the Spirit.

Acts 2 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse by verse study of the wind, fire, tongues, and Peter's sermon.

Acts 2:1 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentators gathered on the day of Pentecost.

Acts 2 Commentary Precept Austin

Detailed study notes and cross references on the chapter.

Barnes' Notes: Acts 2 StudyLight

A historic verse by verse commentary on the passage.

Background & Word Study

Book of Acts Overview (Part 1) BibleProject

Animated overview of the first half of Acts.

Acts 2:1 Greek Interlinear BibleHub

Greek word by word of the day of Pentecost.

The Church Fathers

Acts 2 - Catena Catena

Patristic comment on Pentecost from the Church Fathers.

Questions preachers ask

What happens at Pentecost?

A sound like a mighty wind fills the house and tongues of fire rest on each of them; filled with the Spirit they proclaim God's works in many languages, and Peter declares Joel's promise fulfilled.

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