5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation of those under the heaven, 6 and the rumour of this having come, the multitude came together, and was confounded, because they were each one hearing them speaking in his proper dialect, 7 and they were all amazed, and did wonder, saying one unto another, 'Lo, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 and how do we hear, each in our proper dialect, in which we were born? 9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and those dwelling in Mesopotamia, in Judea also, and Cappadocia, Pontus, and Asia, 10 Phrygia also, and Pamphylia, Egypt, and the parts of Libya, that 'are' along Cyrene, and the strangers of Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretes and Arabians, we did hear them speaking in our tongues the great things of God.' 12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one unto another, 'What would this wish to be?' 13 and others mocking said,—'They are full of sweet wine;'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 2:5-13
Commentary on Acts 2:5-13
(Read Acts 2:5-13)
The difference in languages which arose at Babel, has much hindered the spread of knowledge and religion. The instruments whom the Lord first employed in spreading the Christian religion, could have made no progress without this gift, which proved that their authority was from God.