Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 2:11

"Cretans and Arabians, we hear them speaking in our tongues the mighty works of God." — Acts 2:11 (ASV)

Cretes. Crete, now called Candia, is an island in the Mediterranean, about 200 miles in length and 50 in breadth, about 500 miles southwest of Constantinople, and about the same distance west of Syria or Palestine. The climate is mild and delightful, the sky unclouded and serene. By some, this island is supposed to be the Caphtorim of the Hebrews, Genesis 10:14. It is mentioned in the Acts as the place Paul touched at, Acts 27:7, 8, 13.

This was the residence of Titus, who was left there by Paul to set in order the things that were wanting, etc., Titus 1:5. The Cretans among the Greeks were famous for deceit and falsehood, Titus 1:12–13. The language spoken there was probably the Greek.

Arabians. Arabia is the great peninsula bounded north by part of Syria, east by the Euphrates and the Persian Gulf, south by the Indian Ocean, and west by the Red Sea. It is often mentioned in the Scriptures, and there were doubtless many Jews there. The language spoken there was the Arabic.

In our tongues. The languages spoken by the apostles were at least seven or eight, besides different dialects of the same languages. It is not certain that the Jews present from foreign nations spoke those languages perfectly, but they had doubtless used them to such an extent that these became the common languages in which they conversed. No miracle could be more decisive than this. There was no way the apostles could deceive them, and make them suppose they spoke foreign languages if they really did not, for these foreigners were abundantly able to determine that.

It should be noted that this miracle had most important effects besides the one witnessed on the day of Pentecost. The gospel would be carried by those who were converted to all these places, and the way would be prepared for the labors of the apostles there. Accordingly, most of these places afterwards became celebrated for the establishment of Christian churches and the conversion of great multitudes to the Christian faith.

The wonderful works of God. ta megaleia tou yeou. The great things of God; that is, the great things that God had done, in the gift of his Son; in his raising him from the dead; in his miracles, ascension, etc. Compare Luke 1:49; Psalms 71:19; Psalms 26:7; Psalms 66:3; Psalms 92:6; Psalms 104:24, etc.

The term "tongues" here signifies "Our own languages." For "the wonderful works of God," see also 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28.