Les Feldick Bible Study

Was Peter preaching to Jews or Gentiles in Acts 2?

Peter was preaching to Jews in Acts 2. The setting was the Jewish Feast of Pentecost, with Jews from all over the then-known world gathered in the temple area. The speaker was Jewish, the audience was Jewish, and the message was Jewish; Gentiles are not mentioned in this context.

Les teaches that Acts 2 occurs on the Jewish Feast of Pentecost, one of the seven feasts listed in Leviticus 23, the fiftieth day after Passover. He emphasizes that this is a Jewish feast day, with Jews from all over the then-known world gathered in the temple area. Peter, through the power of the Holy Spirit, speaks, and everyone hears in their own language or dialect. Les stresses that Peter is talking to Jews, there is no Gentile ground whatsoever, and Gentiles are not even mentioned. It is a Jewish feast, a Jewish crowd, a Jewish speaker, and a Jewish message. Peter says, '...therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly...' Les also notes there is no such thing as ten lost tribes, since all Israel went to Babylonian captivity and all Israel was represented in those who came back, so by Christ's earthly ministry Jews from every tribe lived in Israel.

More Questions

What Jewish feast was taking place when Peter preached in Acts 2?

In Acts 2, the setting is the Jewish Feast of Pentecost, a feast day when Jews from all over the then-known world had gathered in Jerusalem.