15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers and sisters,[a](A) the Scripture had to be fulfilled(B) in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas,(C) who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number(D) and shared in our ministry.”(E)

18 (With the payment(F) he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field;(G) there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language(H) Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

20 “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms:

“‘May his place be deserted;
    let there be no one to dwell in it,’[b](I)

and,

“‘May another take his place of leadership.’[c](J)

21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism(K) to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness(L) with us of his resurrection.”

23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed,(M) “Lord, you know everyone’s heart.(N) Show us(O) which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.(P)

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

When the day of Pentecost(Q) came, they were all together(R) in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.(S) They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit(T) and began to speak in other tongues[d](U) as the Spirit enabled them.

Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing(V) Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed,(W) they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?(X) Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia,(Y) Pontus(Z) and Asia,[e](AA) 10 Phrygia(AB) and Pamphylia,(AC) Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene;(AD) visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”(AE)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 1:16 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in 6:3; 11:29; 12:17; 16:40; 18:18, 27; 21:7, 17; 28:14, 15.
  2. Acts 1:20 Psalm 69:25
  3. Acts 1:20 Psalm 109:8
  4. Acts 2:4 Or languages; also in verse 11
  5. Acts 2:9 That is, the Roman province by that name

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