Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Acts 2:13

"But others mocking said, They are filled with new wine." — Acts 2:13 (ASV)

The miraculous does not inevitably and uniformly convince. There must also be the preparation of the heart and the proclamation of the message if miracles are to accomplish their full purpose. This was true even for the miracle of the Spirit’s coming at Pentecost. All of the “God-fearing Jews” (v.5) whose attention had been arrested by the signs at Pentecost and whose own religious heritage gave them at least some appreciation of them were amazed and asked, “What does this mean?” Others, however, being spiritually insensitive, only mocked, attributing such phenomena to drunkenness. All this prepares the reader for Peter’s sermon, which is the initial proclamation of the Gospel message to a prepared people.

Peter’s sermon at Pentecost consists of (1) an explanation of the occurrence of the phenomena (vv.14–21), (2) a proclamation of the apostolic message in its most elemental form (vv.22–36), and (3) a call to repentance with a promise of blessing (vv.37–41). The sermon is headed by a brief introductory statement and followed by two summary sentences dealing with Peter’s further preaching and the people’s response. It was probably delivered in the outer court of the temple.