Acts 2:13 (KJV)

What does Acts 2:13 mean?

Acts 2:13 describes how some people in the crowd responded to the apostles’ strange behavior on the day of Pentecost by making fun of them and accusing them of being drunk on “new wine.” The verse shows that not everyone took the apostles seriously; some dismissed what was happening as foolishness.

In the scene, the apostles have just begun speaking in different languages after the Holy Spirit comes upon them. While many in the crowd are amazed and curious, others react with skepticism and mockery. The phrase “full of new wine” suggests that these mockers thought the apostles’ actions were the result of intoxication, not a spiritual event.

The Greek behind Acts 2:13

• “mocking” (διαχλευάζοντες, diacheleuazontes): This Greek word means to jeer or ridicule, often with a sense of making fun in a harsh or dismissive way. It highlights the contempt some in the crowd felt.
• “full” (μεμεστωμένοι, memestōmenoi): This word means to be filled up or stuffed, in this case with “new wine.” It emphasizes the accusation that the apostles were completely under the influence of alcohol.
• “wine” (γλεύκους, gleukous): This term refers specifically to sweet, freshly pressed grape juice or new wine, which could ferment quickly. The use of “new wine” suggests the mockers thought the apostles were drunk early in the day, which would have been especially shameful.

Why Acts 2:13 matters

• Acts 2:13 helps clarify that the miraculous events of Pentecost were not universally accepted or understood; some bystanders dismissed them as drunkenness, showing a range of reactions to God’s work.
• The verse sets up Peter’s speech in the following verses, where he directly addresses and refutes the accusation of drunkenness, explaining the true source of the apostles’ behavior.
• This moment highlights a recurring theme in Acts: the message of Jesus and the work of the Spirit often provoke both wonder and opposition, revealing the different ways people respond to the gospel.