Acts 2:13

13 And others scorned, and said [saying], For these men be full of must.

Acts 2:13 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 2:13

Others mocking, said
These were the native inhabitants of Jerusalem, the common people; and it may be also the Scribes and Pharisees, who did not understand the languages in which the apostles spake, and therefore derided them both by words and gestures:

these men are full of new wine;
the Syriac, version adds, "and are drunk"; a very foolish and impertinent cavil this; there was, at this time of the year, no new wine, just pressed, or in the fat; and if there had been any, and they were full of it, it could never have furnished them with a faculty of speaking with many tongues; men generally lose their tongues by intemperance. They were indeed filled with wine, but not with wine, the juice of the grape, either new or old; but with spiritual wine, with the gifts of the Spirit of God, by which they spake with divers tongues. They might hope this insinuation, that they were drunk with wine, would take and be received, since it was a feasting time, the feast of Pentecost; though, as Peter afterwards observes; it was too early in the day to imagine this to be their case.

Acts 2:13 In-Context

11 men of Crete, and of Arabia, we have heard them speaking in our languages the great things of God. [men of Crete and Arabia, we have heard them speaking in our tongues the great things of God.]
12 And all were astonished, and wondered, saying together, What will this thing be?
13 And others scorned, and said [saying], For these men be full of must.
14 But Peter stood with the eleven, and raised up his voice [Forsooth Peter standing with the eleven, raised his voice], and spake to them, Ye [men] Jews, and all that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known to you, and with ears perceive ye my words [and with ears perceive my words].
15 For not as ye ween [Soothly not as ye deem, or guess], these be drunken, when it is the third hour of the day;
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.