John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 5. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem, Jews , etc.] The Ethiopic version adds, proselytes; but they were not all such, as appears from the following account of them; many, and it seems the most of them were of Jewish extract and descent, and others were proselytes to the Jewish religion: these were not natives of Jerusalem, but such as were born in other countries, ( Acts 2:8) but were come to Jerusalem, either to learn the Hebrew language, which was necessary to their reading and understanding the books of Moses, and the prophets written in it; or for an increase of spiritual knowledge and piety; or, as is generally thought, to keep the feast of Pentecost; or rather, as Dr. Lightfoot thinks, they were come hither in great numbers front all parts, in expectation of the Messiah and his kingdom; the time being up, according to Daniels weeks, and other prophecies, that he should appear: and these were devout men ; men of religion and piety, of faith and holiness; and as the Syriac version renders it, who feared God; for in these worst of times, among this wicked generation of men, there were some who had the fear of God before their eyes, and on their hearts; and these were collected from different quarters, to be witnesses of this amazing dispensation: for they came out of every nation under heaven ; that is, wherever the Jews were dispersed; being the descendants of those that were carried captive at different times, and into different places; as by Salmanezer, Nebuchadnezzar, Ptolomy Lagus, Antiochus, and in other lesser dispersions.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 5-13 - The difference in languages which arose at Babel, has much hindered the spread of knowledge and religion. The instruments whom the Lord firs employed in spreading the Christian religion, could have made n progress without this gift, which proved that their authority was from God.
Greek Textus Receptus
ησαν 2258 5713 V-IXI-3P δε 1161 CONJ εν 1722 PREP ιερουσαλημ 2419 N-PRI κατοικουντες 2730 5723 V-PAP-NPM ιουδαιοι 2453 A-NPM ανδρες 435 N-NPM ευλαβεις 2126 A-NPM απο 575 PREP παντος 3956 A-GSN εθνους 1484 N-GSN των 3588 T-GPN υπο 5259 PREP τον 3588 T-ASM ουρανον 3772 N-ASM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
5. Dwelling (katoikountev). Denoting an abiding; but here it must be taken in a wide sense, since among these are mentioned those whose permanent residence was in Mesopotamia, etc. See ver. 9.Devout. See on Luke ii. 25.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
2:5 {Were dwelling} (esan katoikountes). Periphrastic imperfect active indicative. Usually katoikew means residence in a place (#4:16; 7:24; 9:22,32) as in verse #14 (#Luke 13:4). Perhaps some had come to Jerusalem to live while others were here only temporarily, for the same word occurs in verse #9 of those who dwell in Mesopotamia, etc. {Devout} (eulabeis). Reverent (eu, well, lambanw, to take). See on Lu 2:25 like Simeon waiting for the comfort of Israel or hoping to die and be buried in the Holy City and also #Ac 8:2.
