Acts 2:7
And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
Acts 2:7
**Meaning & Context** (200 words)
Verse 7 records a spontaneous reaction: astonishment that Galileans could speak “these things” in many languages. The Galileans were perceived as provincial, rural, and perhaps unsophisticated by Jerusalem’s standards. The crowd’s surprise highlights not only the miracle but also a challenge to preconceived hierarchies. The question implies a perception gap between insider expectations of spiritual power and the Spirit’s unconventional method. This moment exposes the pride of a culture that equates eloquence with legitimacy. The apostolic community’s public witness, empowered by the Spirit, disrupts social rubrics, inviting onlookers to re-evaluate who God might use. It also foreshadows the universal availability of the gospel beyond conventional credentials.
**Theological Significance** (150 words)
The verse underlines that God’s empowerment often overturns human expectations. Spiritual authority rests not on status or polish but on the Spirit’s presence and the proclamation of the gospel. It reinforces the theme of God’s gracious selection of the unlikely to accomplish his purposes, a recurring motif in Acts and Paul’s letters.
**Modern Application** (150 words)
Today, avoid equating spiritual effectiveness with appearance or credential. Encourage what God might do through ordinary, overlooked people. Cultivate a culture where everyone’s voice matters in mission and worship. For leaders, this means mentoring diverse contributors, recognizing that God can work through “Galileans” in your context—people with plain speech who carry a powerful message of Jesus.
**Cross-References**: 1 Corinthians 1:26-29; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Acts 4:13; Matthew 23:11-12; 1 Thessalonians 2:4