What kind of Jews were dwelling at Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost in Acts 2:5?
They were devout Jews, keepers of the Law and temple worshipers, who had come to Jerusalem from every nation under heaven. Their presence traced back to Jewish migration after being taken to Babylon, when many Jews settled throughout the then-known Roman world rather than returning to Jerusalem.
Les explains that Acts 2:5 makes sense only against the history of Jewish migration. From 606 B.C., Jews had been migrating all over the then-known world, and wherever there was a city of note, they established businesses and synagogues throughout the Roman Empire. At the Feast of Pentecost, these Jews were dwelling at Jerusalem as devout men, keepers of the Law, and temple worshipers, having come from every nation under heaven. They got there because when taken out to Babylon, instead of returning to Jerusalem, they scattered throughout the then-known world.
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.
Why does Acts 2:5 make sense only if you know Jewish history?
Understanding the history of Jewish migration from 606 B.C. is what makes Acts 2:5 make sense; without that history, it would not make sense.
Why were there Jews from every nation under heaven in Jerusalem at Pentecost in Acts 2:5?
The reason Acts 2:5 can speak of Jews dwelling in Jerusalem from every nation under heaven is that Jews had been migrating throughout the known world since 606 B.C., so that they were scattered into every nation.