Acts 10:46

For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

10:44-48 The Holy Ghost fell upon others after they were baptized, to confirm them in the faith; but upon these Gentiles before they were baptized, to show that God does not confine himself to outward signs. The Holy Ghost fell upon those who were neither circumcised nor baptized; it is the Spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing. They magnified God, and spake of Christ and the benefits of redemption. Whatever gift we are endued with, we ought to honour God with it. The believing Jews who were present, were astonished that the gift of the Holy Ghost was poured out upon the Gentiles also. By mistaken notions of things, we make difficult for ourselves as to the methods of Divine providence and grace. As they were undeniably baptized with the Holy Ghost, Peter concluded they were not to be refused the baptism of water, and the ordinance was administered. The argument is conclusive; can we deny the sign to those who have received the things signified? Those who have some acquaintance with Christ, cannot but desire more. Even those who have received the Holy Ghost, must see their need of daily learning more of the truth.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Speak with tongues - In other languages than their own native tongue, Acts 2:4.

And magnify God - And praise God.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

46. heard them speak with tongues and magnify God—As on the day of Pentecost it was no empty miracle, no mere speaking of foreign languages, but utterance of "the wonderful works of God" in tongues to them unknown (Ac 2:11), so here; but more remarkable in this case, as the speakers were perhaps less familiar with the Old Testament songs of praise.

46-48. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water … which have received the Holy Ghost, &c.—Mark, he does not say, They have received the Spirit, what need have they for water? but, Having the living discipleship imparted to them and visibly stamped upon them, what objection can there be to admitting them, by the seal of baptism, into the full fellowship of the Church?

Matthew Poole's Commentary

With tongues; with variety of languages, or strange tongues, as in the day of Pentecost, Acts 2:6.

Answered; an ordinary Hebraism for speaking, though the first part of any discourse. And Peter, knowing that these miraculous fiery tongues did show that these men did partake of the same Spirit from whom the apostles had received them, he makes an inference from thence.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

For they heard them speak with tongues,.... With divers tongues, which they had never learned, and before did not understand: and magnify God; they spoke of the wonderful works of God in these languages, as the apostles did at Pentecost, Acts 2:11 they spoke greatly in the praise of God, and gave thanks for his rich grace and mercy bestowed on them:

then answered Peter; as follows.

Geneva Study Bible

For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Expositor's Greek Testament

Acts 10:46. λαλούντων γλώσσαις, see on Acts 2:13; here no speaking in different languages is meant, but none the less the gift which manifested itself in jubilant ecstatic praise was a gift of the Spirit, and the event may well be called “the Gentile Pentecost”; see on Acts 11:15 and Plumptre, in loco; Wendt, edition 1899. The words of Acts 10:47 need not mean that this gift of tongues was manifested precisely as the Pentecostal gift.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

46. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God] The same kind of manifestation of God’s gifts was here made as in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. See Acts 2:11.

Bengel's Gnomen

Acts 10:46. Γὰρ, for) They draw the conclusion from the effect.—γλώσσαις, tongues) various.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 46. - For they heard them, etc. This was the incontrovertible evidence of their reception of the Holy Ghost (see Acts 11:15-18, and Acts 2:4 and 11, and note on ver. 4). Acts 10:46