Atos 2

Atos 2

Barnes says "Peter did not intimate that this was a doubtful matter, or one that could not be explained. His address was respectful, yet firm. He proceeded calmly to show them their error. When the enemies of religion deride us or the Gospel, we should answer them kindly and respectfully, yet firmly. We should reason with them coolly, and convince them of their error (Pr 15:1+). In this case Peter acted on the principle which he afterward enjoined on all, 1 Peter 3:15+, "Be ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence." The design of Peter was to vindicatethe conduct of the apostles from the reproach of intoxication, to show that this could be no other than the work of God; and to make an application of the truth to his hearers. This he did (1.) by showing that this could not be reasonably supposed to be the effect of new wine, Acts 2:15. (2.) That it had been expressly predicted in the writings of the Jewish prophets, Acts 2:16-21. (3.) By a calm argument, proving the resurrection and ascension of Christ, and showing that this also was in accordance with the Jewish Scriptures, Acts 2:22-35. (Barnes' Notes - Acts 2) And give heed to my words - "Listen carefully" (NET, NLT), "Hearken" (KJV), "Give ear" (ESV). Hearken is an old word, but it has a wonderful "ring" to it - the idea of hearken is to give respectful attention to what is being said. It is not just "in one ear and out the other" but conveys the idea of to hear with attention, obedience, or compliance. Today we might say something like "Now listen up!" to grab the attention of those to whom we are speaking. Here in Acts 2:14 and again in Acts 2:22 Peter calls for his audience to listen carefully to his words! Note well, regardless of the eloquence of the speaker, the responsibility of the audience is to listen carefully (and not text messages or check the news on their phones!) Jesus, the master Teacher exhorted His audience "Take care how you listen." (Lk 8:18+). Before your pastor preaches, do you ever ask the Spirit of God to give you ears to hear what He wants to say to you personally through the message preached? Try it sometime! Give heed (aorist imperative)(1801) (enotizomai from en = in or into + ous = ear) literally means to receive in the ear and so to give ear to, to listen carefully to what is said, to pay attention to. This is the only use in the NT. Enotizomai is used repeatedly in the Septuagint meaning to give ear, e.g., in Neh 9:30 Israel "would not give ear" so God gave them over to their enemies! In the Psalms the supplicant cries out to God to give ear to his prayers (Ps 5:1, 17:1, 39:12, 54:2, 55:1, 84:8, 86:6, 140:6, 143:1). Isaiah 28:23 says "give ear and hear my voice" which is a sense much like here in Acts 2:14 (cf Isa 51:4, Jer 13:15). The idea is similar to the previous command to "give heed to my words" and so means to listen with attention. Gilbrant explains that based on the repeated uses in the Septuagint (see above comments and list below) "It is thus significant for Luke to use enotizomai in Acts 2:14. Enōtizomai occurs here in the introduction of Peter’s Pentecost message. This introduction was based upon Old Testament speech, prophetic forms, and Hellenistic oratory. These Septuagint and Hellenistic forms would be of particular importance for the readers and listeners, for they would be Jews and proselytes from the diaspora who would be especially familiar with the Greek Bible. The beginning of Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost contains enōtizomai which means the people should pay special attention to his words and obey them. That they did this is evident from their response (Acts 2:37). By obeying Peter’s message they would be saved and receive the gift of the Spirit. In this sense the inner action of paying close attention is significantly attached to faithful obedience. (Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary)