Discovery BoxActs 2:7 
Context2:7 Completely baffled, they said, 1 “Aren’t 2 all these who are speaking Galileans?
Acts 2:12
Context2:12 All were astounded and greatly confused, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”
Acts 8:13
Context8:13 Even Simon himself believed, and after he was baptized, he stayed close to 3 Philip constantly, and when he saw the signs and great miracles that were occurring, he was amazed. 4
Acts 9:21
Context9:21 All 5 who heard him were amazed and were saying, “Is this not 6 the man who in Jerusalem was ravaging 7 those who call on this name, and who had come here to bring them as prisoners 8 to the chief priests?”
Acts 10:45
Context10:45 The 9 circumcised believers 10 who had accompanied Peter were greatly astonished 11 that 12 the gift of the Holy Spirit 13 had been poured out 14 even on the Gentiles,
1 tn Grk “They were astounded and amazed, saying.” The two imperfect verbs, ἐξίσταντο (existanto) and ἐθαύμαζον (eqaumazon), show both the surprise and the confusion on the part of the hearers. The verb ἐξίσταντο (from ἐξίστημι, existhmi) often implies an illogical perception or response (BDAG 350 s.v. ἐξίστημι): “to be so astonished as to almost fail to comprehend what one has experienced” (L&N 25.218).
2 tn Grk “Behold, aren’t all these.” The Greek word ἰδού (idou) at the beginning of this statement has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1).
3 tn Or “he kept close company with.”
4 sn He was amazed. Now Simon, the one who amazed others, is himself amazed, showing the superiority of Philip’s connection to God. Christ is better than anything the culture has to offer.
5 tn Grk “And all.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
6 tn The Greek interrogative particle used in this verse (οὐχ, ouc) expects a positive reply. They all knew about Saul’s persecutions.
7 tn Normally, “destroying,” but compare 4 Macc 4:23; 11:4 and MM 529 s.v. πορθέω for examples from Koine papyri. See also BDAG 853 s.v. πορθέω.
8 tn Grk “bring them bound”; the translation “bring someone as prisoner” for δεδεμένον ἄγειν τινά (dedemenon agein tina) is given by BDAG 221 s.v. δέω 1.b.
9 tn Grk “And the.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
10 tn Or “The Jewish Christians”; Grk “The believers from the circumcision.”
11 sn The Jewish Christians who were with Peter were greatly astonished because they thought the promise of the Spirit would be limited only to those of Israel. God’s plan was taking on fresh dimensions even as it was a reflection of what the prophets had promised.
12 tn Or “because.”
13 tn That is, the gift consisting of the Holy Spirit. Here τοῦ πνεύματος (tou pneumato") is a genitive of apposition; the gift consists of the Spirit.
14 sn The gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out. Compare the account in Acts 2, especially 2:33. Note also Joel 2:17-21 and Acts 11:15-18.
