What does Acts 2:13 mean?

Explanation

Acts 2:13 describes the reaction of some onlookers to the event of Pentecost, where the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in tongues -- that is, speaking in languages they did not previously know.

The verse reads, "Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine." The words indicate that some of the crowd attributed the apostles' strange behavior to drunkenness.

The onlookers took the miraculous speaking in unknown languages as a nonsensical babble, akin to what might be expected from someone who has had too much to drink.

This interpretation reflects a skeptical and dismissive attitude towards the events happening before them.

Historical Context

Acts 2 recounts the events of the Jewish feast of Pentecost, which occurred fifty days after the Passover.

It was at this time that the apostles received the Holy Spirit, as had been promised by Jesus prior to his Ascension.

The feast attracted Jews from various nations to Jerusalem, which is why the crowd consisted of people from different regions who spoke different languages.

When the apostles began speaking in tongues, each person heard them speaking in his own language.

The accusation of drunkenness (possibly influenced by the boisterous and uncharacteristic behavior of the apostles) also suggests that the observers were not only skeptical but also perhaps unfamiliar with the nature of spiritual manifestations.

Theological Insights

Theologically, Acts 2:13 highlights human skepticism in the face of divine intervention.

The dismissive comment serves as a foil to the miraculous event, underscoring the differing responses to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and emphasizing that not all will understand or accept divine phenomena.

From a Christian perspective, this verse illustrates the point that spiritual occurrences can be misunderstood and that the natural mind may resist or mock what it cannot comprehend.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, Acts 2:13 can remind individuals to exercise discernment before arriving at conclusions, especially when faced with situations that seem unusual or hard to understand.

It encourages one to be open-minded to the possibility of spiritual realities and not to dismiss them hastily as the product of irrationality.

Christians are reminded from this verse to expect that manifestations of the Holy Spirit may not always be received well by everyone and that mockery can be a reaction to the work of God.

Cross-References

• Acts 2:4 - "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."
• 1 Corinthians 14:23 - "If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?"
• Joel 2:28-29 - "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit."

Language Study

An examination of the Greek text offers some linguistic insights.

The word translated as "mocking" is "χλευάζοντες" (chleuazontes), which conveys ridicule or making fun of someone. When they say "full of new wine" ("γλεύκους μεστοί", gleukous mestoi), it is indicative of fresh wine, which was known to ferment quickly and could make one drunk rapidly.

The term "new wine" could have been used by the mockers to indicate that they thought the apostles were under the influence of a more potent, intoxicating drink, leading to their uninhibited behavior.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the broader cultural context, drunkenness was viewed in a largely negative light in Jewish and early Christian cultures, as it was associated with a loss of control and undignified behavior.

The comparison to new wine would then serve as a particularly strong insult.

In other ancient religions, however, ecstatic speech was sometimes considered a form of divine possession; for instance, the Oracle at Delphi in Greek tradition spoke in cryptic tongues believed to be the words of the god Apollo.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern sciences such as psychology and neurology offer explanations for altered states of consciousness that ancient peoples might have attributed to spiritual or divine influences.

Speaking in tongues, known as glossolalia, is understood by scientists as a learned behavior that can be psychologically significant to the individual practitioner but does not necessarily point to divine intervention from a scientific standpoint.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and commentators have interpreted Acts 2:13 in light of its context.

Some emphasize the fulfillment of prophecy, as in Joel's foretelling of the outpouring of the Spirit. Others point out the natural human tendency to be cynical or derogatory toward events or behaviors outside their understanding, a tendency that persists to this day.

While some commentaries might focus on the humanness and fallibility displayed by the mockers, others reflect on the sovereignty of God in spite of human disbelief.

In general, there is a consensus that this verse captures a moment of spiritual significance met with human misunderstanding and a timely reminder of the divisive effect spiritual manifestations can have among different groups of people.