What does Acts 2:15 mean?
"For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day." - Acts 2:15

In Acts 2:15, the Bible verse in the King James Version (KJV) reads: "For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day."
This verse is part of a larger passage in the book of Acts that describes the event of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples of Jesus, empowering them to speak in different languages and spread the message of the gospel to people from all over the world who had gathered in Jerusalem. This particular verse is part of Peter's response to the crowd's astonishment at hearing the disciples speak in their own languages. The crowd has mistakenly assumed that the disciples were drunk, and Peter clarifies that they are not intoxicated, as it was only the third hour of the day, or 9:00 AM.
The context of this verse is crucial for understanding its meaning and significance. The disciples, who were gathered in one place on the day of Pentecost, were filled with the Holy Spirit, which enabled them to speak in tongues and proclaim the good news of Jesus to a diverse and international audience. The miraculous events of Pentecost served as a demonstration of God's power and authority, and it marked the beginning of the Christian church's mission to spread the gospel to all nations.
The themes present in this verse include the manifestation of the Holy Spirit, the fulfillment of prophecy, and the proclamation of the gospel. The disciples' ability to speak in languages that they had not previously known was a tangible sign of the Holy Spirit's presence and the fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel, which Peter references in his subsequent speech to the crowd (Acts 2:17-21). This event also signified the birth of the Christian church and its evangelistic mission to reach people from all backgrounds and cultures.
The symbolism in this verse lies in the contrast between the misconceptions of the crowd and the reality of the disciples' spiritual empowerment. The crowd's assumption that the disciples were drunk reflects their inability to comprehend the miraculous nature of the disciples' actions. However, Peter's response serves to correct their misunderstanding and draw attention to the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. The fact that it was only the third hour of the day emphasizes the early timing of these extraordinary events, highlighting the divine intervention at work.
Furthermore, there is symbolic significance in the timing of Pentecost, which occurred 50 days after the Passover. This festival held great importance in Judaism, commemorating the giving of the law to Moses on Mount Sinai. Pentecost, or the Feast of Weeks, also became associated with the harvest and the offering of firstfruits to God. In light of this, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost can be seen as the fulfillment of the Old Testament feast, signifying the beginning of a new spiritual harvest and the offering of believers as "firstfruits" to God.
In conclusion, Acts 2:15 in the King James Version captures a pivotal moment in the history of the Christian faith, as the disciples are filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered to spread the gospel to a diverse and international audience. This verse highlights the contrast between the crowd's misunderstanding and the reality of God's supernatural intervention. It also symbolizes the fulfillment of prophecy and the initiation of the Christian church's mission to proclaim the good news of Jesus to the world. As such, Acts 2:15 serves as a reminder of the transformative power of the Holy Spirit and the call to share the message of salvation with all people.
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Acts 2:15 - "For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day."
"For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day." - Acts 2:15
2 Kings 15:15 - "And the rest of the acts of Shallum, and his conspiracy which he made, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel."
2 Kings 15:11 - "And the rest of the acts of Zachariah, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel."
2 Kings 15:6 - "And the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 15:21 - "¶ And the rest of the acts of Menahem, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"
2 Kings 15:31 - "And the rest of the acts of Pekah, and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel."
2 Kings 15:36 - "¶ Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 15:26 - "And the rest of the acts of Pekahiah, and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel."
Acts 15:15 - "And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,"
acts 15
2 Chronicles 12:15 - "Now the acts of Rehoboam, first and last, are they not written in the book of Shemaiah the prophet, and of Iddo the seer concerning genealogies? And there were wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually."
2 Kings 14:15 - "¶ Now the rest of the acts of Jehoash which he did, and his might, and how he fought with Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"
Acts 17:15
"And the rest of the acts of Shallum, and his conspiracy which he made, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel." - 2 Kings 15:15
"And the rest of the acts of Zachariah, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel." - 2 Kings 15:11
"And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written," - Acts 15:15
Acts 15:2 - "When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question."
Acts 15:34 - "Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still."
"¶ And the rest of the acts of Menahem, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?" - 2 Kings 15:21
"And the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?" - 2 Kings 15:6
put on a scroll acts 15:29
Acts 15:31 - "Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation."
Acts 15:6 - "¶ And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter."
Acts 2:2
Acts 15:41 - "And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches."
Acts 2:2
"And the rest of the acts of Pekah, and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel." - 2 Kings 15:31
"And the rest of the acts of Pekahiah, and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel." - 2 Kings 15:26
"¶ Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?" - 2 Kings 15:36