Matthew Henry Commentary Acts 2:1-4

"And when the day of Pentecost was now come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." — Acts 2:1-4 (ASV)

We cannot forget how often, while their Master was with them, there were disputes among the disciples about who would be the greatest; but now all these disputes were at an end. They had prayed more together recently. If we desire the Spirit to be poured out upon us from on high, let us all be of one accord. And despite differences of views and interests, as there were among those disciples, let us agree to love one another; for where fellow believers live together in unity, there the Lord commands His blessing.

A rushing mighty wind came with great force. This was to signify the powerful influences and working of the Spirit of God upon the minds of people, and thereby upon the world. Thus the convictions of the Spirit make way for His comforts; and the rough blasts of that blessed wind prepare the soul for its soft and gentle gales. There was an appearance of something like flaming fire, lighting on every one of them, according to John the Baptist's saying concerning Christ: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.

The Spirit, like fire, melts the heart, burns up the dross, and kindles pious and devout affections in the soul, in which, as in the fire on the altar, the spiritual sacrifices are offered up. They were all filled with the Holy Ghost, more than before. They were filled with the graces of the Spirit and, more than ever, were under His sanctifying influences—more weaned from this world and better acquainted with the world to come. They were more filled with the comforts of the Spirit, rejoiced more than ever in the love of Christ and the hope of heaven; in this joy, all their griefs and fears were swallowed up.

They were filled with the gifts of the Holy Ghost; they had miraculous powers for the advancement of the gospel. They spoke, not from previous thought or meditation, but as the Spirit gave them utterance.