Parthians, Medes, and Elamites;
The mention of Parthians, Medes, and Elamites highlights the diverse audience present at Pentecost. The Parthians were part of a significant empire east of the Roman Empire, known for their cavalry and conflicts with Rome. The Medes, historically linked with the Persians, were an ancient people mentioned in the Old Testament, notably in the book of Daniel. Elamites were from the region of Elam, an ancient civilization located in what is now southwestern Iran. This diversity underscores the fulfillment of the prophecy in Joel 2:28-32, where God's Spirit is poured out on all people, transcending ethnic and national boundaries.

residents of Mesopotamia,
Mesopotamia, meaning "land between rivers," refers to the region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, largely corresponding to modern-day Iraq. This area is significant in biblical history as the location of the early chapters of Genesis, including the Garden of Eden and the Tower of Babel. The presence of Mesopotamian residents at Pentecost signifies the reach of Jewish diaspora communities and the spread of the gospel to regions foundational to human civilization.

Judea and Cappadocia,
Judea, the region surrounding Jerusalem, was the heart of Jewish religious life and the location of the temple. Its mention emphasizes the centrality of Jerusalem in God's redemptive plan, as prophesied in Isaiah 2:3, where the law and the word of the Lord would go forth from Zion. Cappadocia, located in modern-day Turkey, was a Roman province known for its unique geological formations and early Christian communities. The inclusion of Cappadocians illustrates the spread of Judaism and later Christianity into Asia Minor, as seen in Peter's epistles (1 Peter 1:1).

Pontus and Asia,
Pontus, a region on the southern coast of the Black Sea, was known for its strategic importance and diverse population. It is mentioned in Acts 18:2, where Aquila, a native of Pontus, is introduced. Asia, in this context, refers to the Roman province of Asia, located in western Anatolia (modern-day Turkey). This area included cities like Ephesus and Smyrna, which were significant centers for early Christianity. The mention of these regions highlights the widespread nature of the Jewish diaspora and sets the stage for the missionary journeys of Paul, who would later travel extensively through these areas, as recorded in Acts and his epistles.

1. Parthians
An ancient group from the region of Parthia, located in what is now northeastern Iran. They were known for their powerful empire and skilled cavalry.

2. Medes
An ancient Iranian people who lived in an area known as Media, which is part of modern-day Iran. They were historically significant for their role in the fall of the Assyrian Empire.

3. Elamites
Inhabitants of Elam, an ancient civilization located in the southwestern part of modern-day Iran. They had a distinct language and culture.

4. Mesopotamia
A historical region situated between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, largely corresponding to modern-day Iraq. It is often referred to as the "cradle of civilization."

5. Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, and Asia
These are regions within the Roman Empire. Judea is in the modern-day Middle East, while Cappadocia, Pontus, and Asia are in what is now Turkey.Unity in Diversity
The presence of diverse groups at Pentecost highlights the universal nature of the Gospel. The message of Christ transcends cultural and ethnic boundaries, calling all people to unity in Him.

Fulfillment of Prophecy
The gathering of these diverse groups fulfills Old Testament prophecies about the nations coming to know God. This demonstrates God's faithfulness to His promises.

The Role of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit empowers believers to communicate the Gospel across cultural and linguistic barriers, emphasizing the importance of relying on the Spirit in evangelism.

Cultural Awareness in Ministry
Understanding the cultural backgrounds of those we minister to can enhance our effectiveness in sharing the Gospel. Like the apostles, we should be prepared to engage with diverse groups.(9-11) Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites. . . .--The list that follows is characteristic of the trained historian--trained, it may be, as in the school of Strabo (see Introduction to St. Luke)--who had carefully inquired what nations were represented at that great Pentecost, who had himself been present, at least, at one later Pentecost (Acts 21:15), and knew the kind of crowd that gathered to it. There is a kind of order, as of one taking a mental bird's-eye view of the Roman empire, beginning with the great Parthian kingdom, which was still, as it had been in the days of Crassus, the most formidable of its foes; then the old territory of the Medes which had once been so closely connected with the history of their fathers; then, the name of the Persians having been thrown into the background, the kindred people of Elam (commonly rendered Persia in the LXX.) whom Strabo speaks of as driven to the mountains (xi. 13, ? 6); then the great cities of the Tigris and Euphrates, where the "princes of the captivity" still ruled over a large Jewish population; then passing southward and westward to Judaea; then to Cappadocia, in the interior of Asia Minor; then to Pontus, on the northern shore washed by the Euxine; then westward to the Proconsular Province of Asia, of which Ephesus was the capital. From Ephesus the eye travels eastward to the neighbouring province of Phrygia; thence southward to Pamphylia; thence across the Mediterranean to Egypt; westward to Cyrene; northward, re-crossing the Mediterranean, to the great capital of the empire; then, as by an after-thought, to the two regions of Crete and Arabia that had been previously omitted. The absence of some countries that we should have expected to find in the list--Syria, Cilicia, Cyprus, Bithynia, Macedonia, Achaia, Spain--is not easy to explain, but it is, at any rate, an indication that what we have is not an artificial list made up at a later date, but an actual record of those whose presence at the Feast had been ascertained by the historian. Possibly they may have been omitted because Jews and converts coming from them would naturally speak Greek, and there would be no marvel to them in hearing Galileans speaking in that language. The presence of Judaea in the list is almost as unexpected as the absence of the others. That, we think, might have been taken for granted. Some critics have accordingly conjectured that "India" must be the true reading, but without any MS. authority. Possibly, the men of Judaea are named as sharing in the wonder that the Galileans were no longer distinguished by their provincial patois. (Comp. Note on Matthew 26:73.)

Verse 9. - In Judaea for and in Judaea, A.V. Parthians and Medes and Elamites. These would be the Israelites of the first dispersion, the descendants of those of the ten tribes who were deported by the Assyrians, and of whom the Afghans are perhaps a remnant, and of the first Babylonian captivity. Mesopotamia and Babylon were at this time in possession of the Parthians. Babylon was a great Jewish colony, the seat of "the princes of the Captivity," and of one of the great rabbinical schools. Judaea. The mention of Judaea here is very odd, and can scarcely be right, both from its situation between Mesopotamia and Cappadocia, and because Jews (Judaeans) are mentioned again in ver. 10 (where, however, see note). India, which seems to have been in Chrysostom's Codex ('Hem.'4, end of [3]), Idumaea, Bithynia, and Armenia, have all been suggested as conjectural emendations. One might have expected Galatia, with its different Celtic dialect, and which goes with Pontus, Cappadocia, and Asia in 1 Peter 1:1; a passage, by the way, which shows that there were many Jews in those provinces: Aquila, too, was a Jew from Pontus (Acts 18:2). ΛΨΔΙΑ, Lydia, would be very like ΙΟΥΔΑΙΑ; but all manuscripts read Judaea.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Parthians,
Πάρθοι (Parthoi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3934: Probably of foreign origin; a Parthian, i.e. Inhabitant of Parthia.

Medes,
Μῆδοι (Mēdoi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3370: A Mede, a Median, from east of Assyria. Of foreign origin; a Median, or inhabitant of Media.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

Elamites;
Ἐλαμῖται (Elamitai)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1639: Of Hebrew origin; an Elamite or Persian.

residents
κατοικοῦντες (katoikountes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2730: To dwell in, settle in, be established in (permanently), inhabit. From kata and oikeo; to house permanently, i.e. Reside.

of
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Mesopotamia,
Μεσοποταμίαν (Mesopotamian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3318: From mesos and potamos; Mesopotamia, a region of Asia.

Judea
Ἰουδαίαν (Ioudaian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2449: Judea, a Roman province, capital Jerusalem. Feminine of Ioudaios; the Judaean land, a region of Palestine.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

Cappadocia,
Καππαδοκίαν (Kappadokian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2587: Of foreign origin; Cappadocia, a region of Asia Minor.

Pontus
Πόντον (Ponton)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4195: A sea; Pontus, a region of Asia Minor.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

Asia,
Ἀσίαν (Asian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 773: Asia, i.e. Asia Minor, or only its western shore.


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NT Apostles: Acts 2:9 Parthians Medes Elamites and people from Mesopotamia (Acts of the Apostles Ac)