2:11 Cretes and Arabians. Altogether, there are seventeen different nations or ethnic groups mentioned in Acts 2:9-11. This seems to be a number of some spiritual significance as representing all the world’s nations. See notes on John 21:11.

2:11 tongues. These Jews from the different nations could undoubtedly speak Aramaic, for they later comprehended Peter’s sermon (Acts 2:14-36), but they were amazed that the 120 Spirit-filled believers were preaching also in the languages of their homelands. This was a miraculous work of the Holy Spirit that not only authenticated the gospel, here being preached for the first time after Christ’s resurrection, but also emphasized that God no longer was dealing explicitly with the Jews, but with all nations.