Acts 10:44-46

Context

The Gentiles Receive the Holy Spirit

10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on¹ all those who heard the message.² 10:45 The³ circumcised believers⁴ who had accompanied Peter were greatly astonished⁵ that⁶ the gift of the Holy Spirit⁷ had been poured out⁸ even on the Gentiles, 10:46 for they heard them speaking in tongues and praising⁹ God. Then Peter said,

[10:44] ¹tn Or “came down on.” God now acted to confirm the point of Peter’s speech.

[10:44] ²tn Or “word.”

[10:45] ³tn Grk “And the.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.

[10:45] ⁴tn Or “The Jewish Christians”; Grk “The believers from the circumcision.”

[10:45] ⁵sn The Jewish Christians who were with Peter were greatly astonished because they thought the promise of the Spirit would be limited only to those of Israel. God’s plan was taking on fresh dimensions even as it was a reflection of what the prophets had promised.

[10:45] ⁶tn Or “because.”

[10:45] ⁷tn That is, the gift consisting of the Holy Spirit. Here τοῦ πνεύματος (tou pneumato") is a genitive of apposition; the gift consists of the Spirit.

[10:45] ⁸sn The gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out. Compare the account in Acts 2, especially 2:33. Note also Joel 2:17-21 and Acts 11:15-18.

[10:46] ⁹tn Or “extolling,” “magnifying.”