Pentecost
25
scattered to almost every part of the inhabited world, and in their exile
they had learned to speak various languages. Many of these Jews were
on this occasion in Jerusalem, attending the religious festivals then
in progress. Every known tongue was represented by those assem-
bled. This diversity of languages would have been a great hindrance
to the proclamation of the gospel; God therefore in a miraculous man-
ner supplied the deficiency of the apostles. The Holy Spirit did for
them that which they could not have accomplished for themselves in
[40]
a lifetime. They could now proclaim the truths of the gospel abroad,
speaking with accuracy the languages of those for whom they were
laboring. This miraculous gift was a strong evidence to the world that
their commission bore the signet of Heaven. From this time forth the
language of the disciples was pure, simple, and accurate, whether they
spoke in their native tongue or in a foreign language.
“Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together,
and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his
own language. And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one
to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? and how
hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?”
The priests and rulers were greatly enraged at this wonderful man-
ifestation, but they dared not give way to their malice, for fear of
exposing themselves to the violence of the people. They had put the
Nazarene to death; but here were His servants, unlettered men of
Galilee, telling in all the languages then spoken, the story of His life
and ministry. The priests, determined to account for the miraculous
power of the disciples in some natural way, declared that they were
drunken from partaking largely of the new wine prepared for the feast.
Some of the most ignorant of the people present seized upon this sug-
gestion as the truth, but the more intelligent knew it to be false; and
those who understood the different languages testified to the accuracy
with which these languages were used by the disciples.
[41]
In answer to the accusation of the priests Peter showed that this
demonstration was in direct fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel, wherein
he foretold that such power would come upon men to fit them for a
special work. “Ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem,”
he said, “be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: for these
are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the
day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel: And it