Why were Jews from every nation staying in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost?
They were staying in Jerusalem because Pentecost was a religious feast day. Devout Jews from every nation under heaven traveled to Jerusalem to keep the feast days, some coming hundreds or thousands of miles. They gathered for that feast-day observance rather than ordinary residence.
Les explains that Acts 2:5 describes Jews dwelling or abiding at Jerusalem as devout men because it was a feast day—specifically Pentecost, a religious feast day. They were out of every nation under heaven. He notes they had come hundreds, sometimes thousands, of miles for the feast days at Jerusalem. By the day of Pentecost, Jews had come from as far east as India, Babylon, Syria, Greece, and Rome, and from Spain, maybe even Great Britain, and North Africa. All these Jews would return to Jerusalem for these feast days.
And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
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.