What is the meaning of Acts 2:14?

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven

- Peter rises, literally taking a visible, public stand (Acts 1:15; Luke 22:32).

- The Eleven stand beside him, a picture of restored unity after Judas’s fall (John 17:12; Acts 1:26).

- Together they model courage that only moments before Pentecost they lacked (John 20:19; Acts 4:13).

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lifted up his voice

- Peter projects so thousands can hear (Acts 2:41).

- Bold, Spirit-filled speech replaces earlier fear (Acts 4:8; 2 Timothy 1:7).

- This fulfills Jesus’ promise that the Spirit would give words in crucial moments (Luke 12:11-12).

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and addressed the crowd

- The miracle of tongues drew “a crowd” (Acts 2:6); Peter seizes the teachable moment.

- Addressing a mixed multitude fulfills the Great Commission’s outward thrust (Matthew 28:19; Acts 3:12).

- God’s pattern: explain His works so misunderstanding does not take root (Exodus 12:26-27; Acts 17:22-23).

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"Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem"

- He greets both natives and visitors; no one is excluded (Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8).

- The gospel’s first public sermon starts at Jerusalem, just as Jesus said (Luke 24:49).

- Addressing men first accords with cultural norms, yet the message soon embraces women and children (Acts 2:17-18).

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"let this be known to you"

- Peter speaks with authority, not speculation (Acts 4:12; 1 John 1:1-3).

- “Known” signals revelation—God is unveiling truth formerly hidden (Ephesians 3:3-5).

- The phrase invites personal responsibility: once truth is known, it must be answered (Hebrews 10:26-27).

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"and listen carefully to my words"

- A call to attentive, obedient hearing (Deuteronomy 32:46; Hebrews 2:1).

- “Words” points to Scripture-anchored proclamation, not opinion (Acts 2:16-21; 1 Peter 1:25).

- Careful listening leads to conviction (Acts 2:37) and salvation (Romans 10:17).

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summary

Peter, now Spirit-empowered, rises with the united apostles, projects his voice, and purposely addresses a diverse Jerusalem crowd. He claims their attention by divine authority, urging them to hear God’s revealed truth. Acts 2:14 therefore marks the moment the gospel moves from an upper room to the streets, launching the Church’s public witness with clarity, courage, and urgency.