of fulfilment.
Pentecost. Meaning fiftieth ; because occurring on the fif- tieth day, calculated from the second day of unleavened bread. In the Old Testament it is called the feast of weeks, and the feast of harvest. Its primary object was to thank God for the blessings of harvest. See Deut. xvi. 10, 11.
With one accord (oyoIvpaddv). The best texts substitute ood, together. So Rey.
2. A sound (jyos). See on Luke iv. 37.
Of a rushing mighty wind (depopévns rvofs Biatas). Lit., of a mighty wind borne along. TIvoy is a blowing, a blast. Only here and ch. xvii. 25. Rev., as of the rushing of a mighty wind.
The house. Not merely the oom. Compare ch. i. 13.
Were sitting. Awaiting the hour of prayer. See ver. 15.
3. There appeared. See on Luke xxii. 43.
Cloven tongues (Stapepslouevat yra@ooa). Many prefer to render tongues distributing themselves, or being distributed among
the disciples, instead of referring it to the cloven appearance of each tongue. Rev., tongues parting asunder.
Cu. IL] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 449 Like as of fire. Not consisting of fire, but resembliny (deel).
It sat. Note the singular. One of these luminous appear- ances sat upon each.
_ 4, Began. Bringing into prominence the Jirst impulse of the act. See on began, ch. i. 1.
With other tongues (érépais yAwooas). Strictly different, from their native tongues, and also different tongues spoken by the different apostles. See on Matt. vi. 24,
Gave (€déov). A graphic imperfect; kept giving them the language and the appropriate words as the case required from time to time. It would seem that each apostle was speaking to a group, or to individuals. The general address to the mul- titude followed from the lips of Peter.
Utterance (drop3éyyeoIar). Used only by Luke and in the Acts. Lit., to utter. A peculiar word, and purposely chosen to denote the clear, loud utterance under the miraculous impulse. It is used by later Greek writers of the utterances of oracles or seers. So in the Septuagint, of prophesying. See 1 Chron. xxv. 1; Deut. xxxii. 2; Zech. x. 2; Ezek. xiii. 19.
5. Dwelling (xatocxobvres). Denoting an adiding; but here it must be taken in a wide sense, since among these are mentioned those whose permanent residence was in Mesopo- tamia, etc. See ver. 9.
Devout. See on Luke ii. 25.
6. When this was noised abroad (yevouévns dé rhs dovis tavtys). Wrong. Lit., And this sound having taken place. Rev., correctly, when this sound was heard. The sound of the rushing wind.
Were confounded (cuveyt9n). Lit., was poured together ; so that confound (Latin, confundere) is the most literal render-
450 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. (Cu. IT.
ing possible. Used only by Luke and in the Acts. Compare Kiko sw XKis OL.
Heard (ixovov). Imperfect, were hearing.
Language (SvakéxTm). Rather, dialect ; since the foreign- ers present spoke, not only different languages, but different dza- lects of the same language. The Phrygians and Pamphylians, for instance, both spoke Greek, but in different idioms; the Parthians, Medes, and Elamites all spoke Persian, but in differ- ent provincial forms.
7. Amazed and marvelled (é&cravro xai éJavpagfov). The former word denotes the first overwhelming surprise. ‘The verb is literally to put out of place ; hence, out of one’s senses. Com- pare Mark iii. 21: “ He ts beside himself.” The latter word, marvelled, denotes the continuing wonder ; meaning to regard with amazement, and with a suggestion of beginning to specu- late on the matter.
Galilaeans. Not regarded as a sect, for the name was not given to Christians until afterward ; but with reference to their nationality. They used a peculiar dialect, which distinguished them from the inhabitants of Judaea. Compare Mark xiv. 70. They were blamed for neglecting the study of their lan- guage, and charged with errors in grammar and ridiculous mis- pronunciations.
9. Parthians, Medes, and Elamites. Representing portions of the Persian empire.