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Verse Takeaways
1
Symbol of Power and Purpose
Commentators explain that the 'tongues like as of fire' were a powerful visual symbol. Fire represented God's purifying presence and power, fulfilling John the Baptist's prophecy. The specific shape of 'tongues' was a direct sign of the miraculous ability to speak in different languages that the disciples were about to receive for spreading the gospel.
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Acts
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Commentaries
9
Albert Barnes
On Acts 2:3
18th Century
Theologian
And there appeared to them. They were seen by them, or they saw. They were first seen by them in the room before they rested on t…
AT Robertson
On Acts 2:3
Parting asunder (διαμεριζομενα). Present middle (or passive) participle of διαμεριζω, old verb, to cleave asunder, to cut in piece…
Charles Ellicott
On Acts 2:3
19th Century
Bishop
There appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire.—Better, and tongues as of fire were seen by them, parted amo…
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Charles Spurgeon
On Acts 2:1–8
19th Century
Preacher
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a r…
Expositor's Bible Commentary
On Acts 2:3
Fire as a symbol of the divine presence was well known among first-century Jews (cf. the burning bush [Exodus 3:2–5], the pillar of fir…
John Gill
On Acts 2:3
17th Century
Pastor
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, etc.] An emblem of the various tongues and languages, in whi…
Matthew Henry
On Acts 2:1–4
17th Century
Minister
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 …