Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

ACTS 2:11KJV
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Acts 2:11 (KJV)

What does Acts 2:11 mean?

Acts 2:11 describes how people from Crete and Arabia, along with others, heard the followers of Jesus speaking in their own native languages about the amazing things God had done. The verse highlights the miracle that everyone present could understand these messages in their own tongue.

At this moment in Jerusalem, a crowd from many nations had gathered for a Jewish festival. The followers of Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, began to speak in various languages they had not learned. The verse lists Cretes and Arabians to show the wide range of people present, and it emphasizes that the message was about the "wonderful works of God," not just random speech or noise.

The Greek behind Acts 2:11

  • γλῶσσα (glōssa) — "tongues" or "languages." This word points to actual spoken languages, not just sounds, making it clear that the miracle was about communication and understanding.
  • μεγαλεῖος (megaleios) — "wonderful works." This term refers to mighty or magnificent deeds, stressing that the content of what was spoken was about God's powerful actions, not ordinary conversation.
  • ἀκούω (akouō) — "hear." This word often means to listen or understand, so the emphasis is on the crowd truly grasping what was being said in their own languages.

Why Acts 2:11 matters

  • Acts 2:11 clarifies that the miracle at Pentecost was about real languages, not unintelligible speech, which helps clear up confusion about what happened.
  • The verse shows that the message was focused on God's greatness, not on the speakers themselves, keeping the attention on God's actions.
  • By naming specific groups like Cretes and Arabians, Acts 2:11 highlights the global reach of the message and sets the stage for the spread of the Christian faith beyond Jerusalem.

Where else these words appear

“works” Greek G3167 · used in 2 verses

  • Luke 1:49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

“Cretes” Greek G2912 · used in 3 verses

  • Titus 1:12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
  • Titus 3:15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen. It was written to Titus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Cretians, from Nicopolis of Macedonia.

“our” Greek G2251 · used in 9 verses

  • Acts 24:6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.
  • Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
  • Titus 3:14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.

“tongues” Greek G1100 · used in 47 verses

  • Mark 7:33 And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;
  • 1 Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
  • 1 Corinthians 14:39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.