How was Jesus treated by those closest to him? Gethsemane was one of the darkest moments of Jesus’ life. There, he fought a raging spiritual battle: yielding to his Father’s will even though it involved gut-churning, spirit-crushing suffering.
As we know from the Gospel accounts, the disciples failed pretty miserably when it came to supporting Jesus. Over the next few posts we’ll look at what they did – and didn’t do – as Jesus suffered.

Jesus was abandoned by friends
Jesus spent hours in turmoil, crying out to God, in Gethsemane. He knew what was coming: an unjustified arrest, a sham of a trial, physical torture, emotional humiliation and a gruesome public execution. (Imagine knowing all that was about to happen, and still choosing to go ahead with it!)
As he pleaded with God to take away the coming pain, Jesus needed the support of his closest friends in the faith. He even asked them directly and specifically to support him. (Matt 26:36, 38)

But what did they do? These deeply flawed men on whom Christ later built his Church… They fell asleep. Yep. They did not travel the hard road with him. He had to do it alone. (Matt 26:40, 43, 45)

Jesus was abandoned by GodNot only did Jesus’ friends in the faith abandon him, but God also abandoned him. On the cross, Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”. (Matt 27:46NIV)

Thankfully, you and I don’t have to face the ultimate suffering: separation from God. Jesus’ sacrifice reconciled us to our loving God, who has promised never to abandon us. (2 Cor 5:18, 21, Rom 8:38, 39)

Take comfort in this: Jesus knows what it’s like to face an unimaginably painful future, alone. Jesus knows how it feels to be abandoned and left to fend for himself. He knows! I find that so reassuring.
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[Jesus] understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. (Heb 4:15-16)


Why Was Jesus Forsaken on the Cross?

I have heard it said: Whatever happened on the cross must have been very terrible for Jesus to cry out on the cross, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Have you thought much of what took place on the cross? What was it that made Jesus feel abandoned, forsaken by His heavenly Father?

Why did Jesus cry out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

This question comes from the crucifixion of Christ. On the cross Jesus said “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Mark 15:34b). Jesus felt abandoned and forsaken because He really was abandoned in fulfillment of the Scriptures. Jesus, who knew no sin, was made to be sin on behalf of all who would believe (2 Corinthians 5:21a). This was fulfilled on the cross. As the sinless Lamb of God was made sin, the full hammer of the wrath of God the Father was poured out upon Jesus, the Son (Isaiah 53:6; 10). This was all in accordance with God’s predetermined plan (Acts 2:23). As Jesus died accursed upon the tree (Galatians 3:13), He was abandoned and forsaken by God’s goodness, kindness, love, etc. Jesus was left with only God’s wrath, vengeance, and fury. Jesus endured this for the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2a) because of the love He has for God the Father and for us (Ephesians 5:2).

What an incredibly weighty topic. Let’s dig deeper into the Word of God to discover more of these wonderful and terrifying truths.

Psalm 22, Fulfilled In Christ

Before we dive into the meat of this question we must first note that there are objections to Jesus actually being forsaken of by God the Father. Some deny it. Those objections will be addressed in their own section below. For now, let’s look to what God’s Word says.

The Scriptures (Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34) record Jesus saying, as He is dying on the cross for the sin of the world,
​
“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me.”

Jesus knew Psalm 22. He does not paraphrase. He quotes it word for word. This psalm is a Psalm of David. As such, many commentators explain that this had some sort of direct fulfillment in David’s life. However, Jesus is quoting this psalm as Messianic. And the Scriptures tell us that David wrote some prophetic psalms directly about the Messiah. For example, look at Peter’s message on Pentecost:

“Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.” (Acts 2:29-32, bold added)

Some of David’s psalms are undoubtedly prophetic. They are directly about the Messiah. Jesus points to Himself as the fulfillment of David’s Psalm 22.
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My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?
O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,
and by night, but I find no rest. (Psalm 22:1-2)

Jesus quotes directly from the first half of verse 1. He is announcing to the people, and to us, what was happening to Him. He was actually being forsaken by God. Jesus was enduring the full weight of the hammer of God’s wrath against sin.

Notice that the Psalm doesn’t say, My God, my God, why does it appear that you have forsaken me? The question is asking why He has been forsaken. Everyone looking at Jesus upon the cross would have come to the same conclusion: this man is accursed by God. That’s why the Jews wanted Him to be crucified. So, the question is: why did it have to happen this way? Why did this righteous, sinless Lamb of God, need to die accursed on a tree? Jesus was accursed by the plan of God in fulfillment of the Scriptures. Not because the Christ deserved it but because we do as the penalty for our sin, transgression, and iniquity.

The psalm also speaks of the mockery of the people towards Christ. As He hung on the tree, being made a curse for us, the people derided Him.
All who see me mock me;
they make mouths at me; they wag their heads. (Psalm 22:7)
This was directly fulfilled.
And those who passed by derided Him, wagging their heads. (Matthew 27:39)

More details of Psalm 22 are fulfilled in the crucifixion of Christ,
For dogs encompass me;
a company of evildoers encircles me;
they have pierced my hands and feet--
I can count all my bones--
they stare and gloat over me;
they divide my garments among them,
and for my clothing they cast lots. (Psalm 22:16-18)
The direct fulfillment is made explicit.
And when they had crucified Him, they divided His garments among them by casting lots. (Matthew 27:35)

In Jesus’s day, Gentiles were often referred to as dogs by the Jews (for example, see Matthew 15:22-28). Jesus quoted from Psalm 22:1 as He was surrounded by Roman executioners (“dogs”). They were a company of evildoers who literally pierced His hands and His feet. They fulfilled the Scriptures by dividing His garments among themselves.

Jesus quoted Psalm 22 intentionally. He was pointing to the deeper reality beneath the surface. Jesus wasn’t dying like other criminals for His own crimes. He was not just saying that the first verse applied to Him. Jesus was declaring to all that He was being despised, rejected, afflicted, and cast down for a purpose. Not by the sword of man, or ravenous dogs, or the mouths of lions, or by a herd of wild oxen (Psalm 22:19-21).
But by God Himself.

Jesus Made Sin:

The word impute means “to credit to one’s account.” This word is important. We all need to pay close attention.
The Scriptures declare,
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Jesus, the eternal Son of God, came in the likeness of sinful flesh (Romans 8:3). He stepped out of eternity and into time. Taking a second nature, humanity. Jesus, being fully God and fully man, lived an earthly life. Free of sin. Sin did not dwell in His flesh as it dwells in ours.

He was perfect. Sinless. He did not know sin. He only knew the Father and His perfect will for Him.

The Scripture says that He who knew no sin (Jesus) was made to be sin. How can this be? God the Father imputed sin to Jesus’s account. The Father reckoned sin to Jesus’s spotless account. Why?

This is a huge answer that all of Scripture points to. For the sake of simplification, let’s look at two main points.

Condemning Sin in the Flesh

1) Jesus came to condemn sin in the flesh. God is good, just, and righteous. Thus, the problem of our sin must be dealt with. Either we will pay the punishment for our own sin or God Himself will have to. There is no third option.

Jesus, the God-Man, is the only One qualified in His own merit to be the substitute for Man. As He who knew no sin was made to be sin, the hammer of the Almighty God fell upon the Son. Crushing the Son. Thereby condemning sin in the flesh.

For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh. (Romans 8:3)

Becoming the Righteousness of God

2) So that we might become the righteousness of God. The Father imputed or “credited sin to His account.” For those who are found in Christ by faith, believing in the Son of God and His perfect work on their behalf, God imputes (or credits) righteousness to our account.
No one can earn right standing with God. It’s not possible. Because no one is good and no one does what is right (Romans 3:10-12). No one can escape condemnation by themselves. The condemnation that our sin has brought upon us is inescapable without a perfect Savior. Jesus is that Savior.

God imputed our sin to Christ and it was condemned in His flesh. Meaning He paid the price for it. Endured the wrath of God on behalf of sin. So that we, by faith, who are “in Christ” could have His righteousness credited to our account. Therefore, all who are found in Christ stand before God justified. Not on our merit but on the merit of another. There is no longer any condemnation for all who are in Him.

By the grace of God, through faith, God has made it possible for us to receive Jesus Christ’s perfect righteousness as a gift.
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21, bold added)

Justice Must Be SatisfiedSome have twisted the Scriptures to avoid God’s justice being satisfied in Christ. They may say things like:

• “My god would never…” or
• “God is love so how could He ever punish anyone for an eternity in hell?” or
• “This is a form of cosmic child abuse,” etc.

You get the picture.
Yet, the Scriptures declare this to be true. Anyone who reads the Bible honestly in its context cannot escape this truth.

God is holy, righteous, and just. He cannot nor will He allow the guilty to go unpunished. God will not just simply look past sin and not punish it. He cannot take sin and ball it up and throw it into the sea. Justice must be served. It will be served because God always does that which is right.

This is what the Scriptures point to. This wonderful, terrific, and amazing truth that God satisfied His justice. He did it through the God-Man, Jesus the Christ. He punished sin in Christ so that all who believe would not perish but have everlasting life!

This is a demonstration that God is both just and the justifier of sinful men, those who have faith in Jesus (Romans 3:26).
For more on this, see our articles:

• Why Did Jesus Die For Sins?
• Why Did Jesus Die For Our Sins?
• Why Did Jesus Ask For The Cup To Pass?

The Foreordained PlanIt must be clear that this was never plan B, or C, or D, or E. It was always plan A. From before the foundation of the world. That God would send His Son to condemn sin in the flesh. Making a way for people to be reconciled to God through Jesus, the Son.

God Himself was the very first to declare the gospel.

“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heal.” (Genesis 3:15)

Peter understood the plan of God and proclaimed it on Pentecost.
This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. (Acts 2:23)
The Apostle to the Gentiles also understood and proclaimed this truth.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. (Ephesians 1:3-4a)

Likewise, the Apostle John taught from this foundation.
And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Revelation 13:8)

While some interpret these passages differently and choose to divide over them, these passages are meant to be unifying. God planned from the very beginning to send His Son and satisfy His justice in Him. Jesus came as a willing servant. Christ offered His life willingly as a ransom for many in accordance with this foreordained plan. Jesus did it for the joy that was set before Him, enduring the cross and despising its shame (Hebrews 12:2).

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (Galatians 4:4-5)

At the appointed time. According to the foreordained plan of God. He sent His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh. Although the Son Himself knew no sin. He was made sin. Made a curse under the law. So that all could be set free from the curse of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

This Jesus is no longer dead. Christ has been raised up by His Father. Highly exalted by His Father. Seated at His Father’s right hand. Made both Lord and Savior by His Father. Glorified by His Father.
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For more on the fullness of time, see our article: Why Did Jesus Come When He Did?

Forsaken by God

What does it really mean to be forsaken by God? The Scriptures declare,
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.” (Galatians 3:13).

To really grasp this text I suggest that you read all of Galatians. But don’t stop there. Turn back the pages to Deuteronomy 27 and 28.

Jesus is the one who, in His own merit, earned all the blessings of God. He did not break the law of God even once. He who knew no sin, when He became sin (2 Corinthians 5:23), was treated as a sinner.

He was cut off from all of God’s goodness, love, grace, mercy, and kindness. Knowing only (for that time on the cross) the wrath, justice, anger, and severity of God.

As Jesus was made sin, He truly was judged by God as a sinner. Sin was condemned in His flesh.

Yet, because He Himself was sinless, He did not remain condemned forever. He was raised from the dead. Given the authority now to judge the world in righteousness.

For more on the cursing, see our articles:

• Why Did Jesus Wear A Crown Of Thorns?
• Why Did Jesus Curse The Fig Tree?

God is LoveGod is love.

He demonstrates it in this,
That while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
This is not how the world understands love. This is much greater. The Bible is consistent in its teaching about God’s love.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. (John 3:16-17)

In Jesus’s first coming, the world was not condemned for its sin. Instead, God condemned sin the the flesh of Christ. The promise of everlasting life, redemption from sin, and peace with a holy and righteous God is only given to those who are found in Christ on the Day of Judgment.

Christ is coming again to judge the world in righteousness. Are you ready? Are you hidden safely in the refuge of Christ? 

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Would you have believed?

Sometimes you can read something a hundred times before the significance of it really sinks in. That’s exactly what happened to me when I was completely taken back by what John writes in his gospel about Jesus in John 7:5: 

Here’s why this is surprising.

The brothers of Jesus (James, Joses, Simon and Judas are all named in Matthew 13:55, and no not that Judas), had grown up with the very son of God living under the same roof:

• Some of them would have been old enough to remember their older brother Jesus, at the age of 12, going to the Temple and teaching the religious leaders (Luke 2:39-52).
• They were also likely invited guests at the same wedding when Jesus performed his first miracle of turning water into wine (John 2:1-11).
• Some of them would likely have been present, or at least would have been aware of when their older brother turned the tables in the temple, and how this act carried with it the bold messianic statement that the temple was ‘my father’s house’.
• They would also have known that Jesus healed an official’s son (John 4:46-54), healed the man on the sabbath at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-17), fed 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish (John 6:1-14) and walked on water (John 6:16-21).

In John’s gospel, all of these events took place before John’s statement that, ‘…not even his brothers believed in him.” 

Why didn't they believe?It’s easy to wonder how Jesus’ brothers could have been witnesses, or at least heard about all of these things, but still not believed that Jesus was the very Son of God. Our temptation would be to think that surely we would have understood it, even if they didn’t. The truth is we probably wouldn’t have.

Jesus was completely man and completely God. Just as we can’t fully understand this mystery, neither could Jesus’ brothers. Because Jesus walked among them, they would have had no trouble believing that Jesus was at least a very special man, or an incredible prophet. But they hadn’t come to the vital conclusion that sets Jesus apart from any other person who had gone before or would come after - Jesus was God incarnate. God was truly walking among them. 

It’s possible for us to call ourselves friends of Jesus, exist around the church, be witness even to miracles, but still not believe that Jesus is exactly who he said he is. If this was the case for Jesus’ own brothers, how much more true will it be for us?

Are you looking for a sign?In Luke 11:16, we read that the people had been testing Jesus, ‘seeking a sign from heaven.’ Jesus answers their test, but not how they had expected.

He speaks about the Old Testament prophet Jonah, who spent three days inside a whale. Jesus tells them that the answer to their test will be similar ; a reference to his own death and resurrection three days later. It could be for exactly this reason that Jesus said in Luke 11:29,

This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.

How often do we look for signs to confirm that Jesus was who he said he was? We sometimes pray asking God to prove himself through a miracle, as though God has something to prove to us. Clearly Jesus isn’t saying that all prayer for miracles is wrong, but it is wrong, if our intention is to have God do a trick as though he was a seal with a basketball.

Having faith in Jesus Christ means believing he is exactly who he said he is. Miracles, signs and wonders can certainly help increase our faith, but they don’t take us the entire way. As Christians, we musn’t say, "I see miracles, so I believe Jesus is the Son of God". Instead, our attitude should be, “Jesus is the Son of God, and because of this truth, I believe he can perform miracles.’

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Mark 3:21....

Mark 3:21 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓]Mark 3:21, NIV: When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, 'He is out of his mind.'

Mark 3:21, ESV: And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.”

Mark 3:21, KJV: And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.

Mark 3:21, NASB: And when His own people heard about this, they came out to take custody of Him; for they were saying, 'He has lost His senses.'

Mark 3:21, NLT: When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away. 'He's out of his mind,' they said.

Mark 3:21, CSB: When his family heard this, they set out to restrain him, because they said, "He's out of his mind."

What does Mark 3:21 mean? [⇑ See verse text ⇑]The chain of events that lead Jesus' family to worry about Him is not clear. As is common for literature of the time, the Gospels tend to group passages by theme instead of chronology. As a result, we don't know if Jesus has returned to Nazareth since His ministry started. We do know that people from all over Galilee, Judea, and beyond have come to see Him, and Nazareth is only about twenty miles from Capernaum. In Mark 6:1–6, Jesus will return, just to be rudely rejected by the people in His hometown. 

So it's possible that people from Nazareth have gone to Capernaum for healing and returned, shocked to learn that the healer is Jesus. It's also possible that travelers have gone to Capernaum for healing and come back through Nazareth. Either way, the people from Nazareth refuse to believe that a man whom they have watched grow up could be an important prophet, let alone the Messiah. Whereas the scribes believe Jesus is demon-possessed (Mark 3:22), His townsmen think He's crazy. 

"Out of his mind" comes from the Greek root word existemi. It means to be mentally displaced. The same word is used when Jesus heals the paralytic (Mark 2:12) and Jairus's daughter (Mark 5:42), and when He calms the storm after walking on water (Mark 6:51). In this case, however, it means that Jesus' actions—seemingly out of control, to His family—can have a serious effect on the wellbeing of His family. So they resolve to find Him and. Most likely, to take Him back to Nazareth. 

Jesus has four brothers and at least two sisters (Matthew 13:55–56). Eventually, after the resurrection, at least two of His brothers will accept Him as their savior. James wrote the New Testament book in his name and became the leader of the church in Jerusalem. Jude, author of the New Testament book that bears his name, also became a believer. They and Mary will be with the disciples on Pentecost (Acts 1:14).
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Context Summary
Mark 3:13–21 is the third story about the reactions people had to Jesus' ministry. Here, we establish which men Jesus chooses to be in His inner circle. Jesus separates ''the twelve'' for special training so they can be equipped to heal (Matthew 10:1), cast out demons, and spread the gospel. Other than Peter's mother-in-law (Mark 1:30–31), there is no record that Jesus performed miracles of healing for them. But they have witnessed Jesus' power and authority, and are willing to dedicate themselves to His teaching. This is a stark contrast to Jesus' own family. This account is also recorded in Matthew 10:1–4 and Luke 6:12–16.

Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 

2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.

3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 

4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 

​5 For John baptized with[a]water, but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.”

6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 

11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come backin the same way you have seen him go into heaven.

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk[c] from the city. 

13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 

14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 

16 and said, “Brothers and sisters,[d] the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 

17 He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.”

18 (With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 

19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

20 “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms:
“‘May his place be deserted;
    let there be no one to dwell in it,’[e]
and,
“‘May another take his place of leadership.’[f]
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21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us,

22 beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”

23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 

24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 

25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 

26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

Footnotes

1. Acts 1:5 Or in
2. Acts 1:5 Or in
3. Acts 1:12 That is, about 5/8 mile or about 1 kilometer
4. Acts 1:16 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in 6:3; 11:29; 12:17; 16:40; 18:18, 27; 21:7, 17; 28:14, 15.
5. Acts 1:20 Psalm 69:25
6. Acts 1:20 Psalm 109:8
   
   

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,[b] 10 Phrygiaand Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
Peter Addresses the Crowd

 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 

15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 

16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:


17 “‘In the last days, God says,
    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
    your young men will see visions,
    your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
    I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
    and they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above
    and signs on the earth below,
    blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
    and the moon to blood
    before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls
    on the name of the Lord will be saved.’



22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 

23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,[d] put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 

24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 

25 David said about him:
“‘I saw the Lord always before me.
    Because he is at my right hand,
    I will not be shaken.

26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
    my body also will rest in hope,
27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
    you will not let your holy one see decay.
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence.’

29 “Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 

30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 

31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay.

32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.

33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Fatherthe promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 

34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,
“‘The Lord said to my Lord:
    “Sit at my right hand

35 until I make your enemies
    a footstool for your feet.”’

36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 

41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
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The Fellowship of the Believers

 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 

44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 

46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 

​47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Footnotes

1. Acts 2:4 Or languages; also in verse 11
2. Acts 2:9 That is, the Roman province by that name
3. Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32
4. Acts 2:23 Or of those not having the law (that is, Gentiles)
5. Acts 2:28 Psalm 16:8-11 (see Septuagint)
6. Acts 2:35 Psalm 110:1

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​Jesus Himself was filled with the #HolySpirit in -order- to carry out His #ministry. [“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim #goodnews to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim #freedom for the prisoners and #recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free”] Jesus said these words to Israelites while they were worshipping In synagogue and -began- his #ministry by telling His friends/family that #gods Spirit “is on Me” for a *specific #purpose; he spent much time speaking of the Holy Spirit and wanted His disciples to #understand its #power. He explained it was “better” for that He leave, because only then the *Holy *Spirit would be *sent to them. The first followers of Jesus were *filled with God’s Spirit to take the #gospel to the #known world. “On Pentecost, they were all together in one place.. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They *saw what seemed to be “tongues of fire” that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were -filled with the Holy Spirit- and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them” Before this point in history, the Holy Spirit did not -indwell- every follower of Christ. After Jesus died, ROSE again, and ascended to heaven, the Holy Spirit came down and filled every disciple/apostle of Christ as TRUE *witness to spread the gospel to the world. When put #faith in #Christ, the Holy Spirit #reveals himself in unique ways. God’s people get to experience the power of the Holy Spirit as Jesus did- providing #power and strength through #christ. “Yes, I am the #vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing”. “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this #testimony for the churches. I AM the #Root and the Offspring of #David, and the bright Morning Star.’ The *Spirit and the *bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is -thirsty- come; and let the one who wishes take the -free #gift- of the *water of #life” (Rev22:16-17).