Why were Jews from every nation staying in Jerusalem in Acts 2?
They were staying in Jerusalem because it was a religious feast day—Pentecost. Devout Jews from every nation under heaven had traveled hundreds, sometimes thousands of miles to observe the feast days at Jerusalem, coming from places as far as India, Babylon, Syria, Greece, Rome, Spain, Great Britain, and North Africa.
Les explains that Acts 2:5 says there were dwelling, or abiding, at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, because this was a feast day—a religious feast day. It was Pentecost. They were out of every nation under heaven. He notes how far they had come: hundreds, sometimes thousands of miles for the feast days at Jerusalem. On the day of Pentecost, Jews had come to Jerusalem from maybe as far east as India, Babylon, Syria, Greece, Rome, Spain, maybe even Great Britain, and North Africa. All these Jews would come back to Jerusalem for these feast days.
And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
What did Luke mean by 'out of every nation under heaven' in Acts 2:5?
Luke meant Jews from every nation in the then-known world, not Gentiles. These were devout Jews living in Gentile nations from Great Britain west to India east, who had Jewish communities. They traveled to Jerusalem for the feast, speaking various languages.
Why were so many Jews staying in Jerusalem in Acts 2:5?
They were dwelling at Jerusalem because it was a religious feast day—Pentecost. Jews from every nation under heaven had come hundreds, sometimes thousands, of miles to observe the feast days in Jerusalem, from places like India, Babylon, Syria, Greece, Rome, Spain, North Africa, and possibly Great Britain.
More Questions
What does Acts 2:5 say about the Jews gathered at Jerusalem for Pentecost?
Acts 2:5 describes the Jews dwelling at Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost as devout men, keepers of the Law, and temple worshipers, and says they came from every nation under heaven.