Acts 2:13 Meaning: Mocked for Being Filled with the Spirit
Others, mocking, said, “They are filled with new wine.”
Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
But others mocking said, They are filled with new wine.
and others mocking said, --`They are full of sweet wine;'
But others mocking said, They are full of new wine.
Meaning in one sentence
Why did some onlookers ridicule the disciples as drunk at Pentecost? Study Acts 2:13 to understand human resistance to God’s supernatural work.
Context
It is the day of Pentecost. Fifty days after Passover, Jerusalem is crowded with Jews from every part of the Roman world. The disciples are gathered when suddenly a sound like a rushing wind fills the house, tongues of fire rest on each of them, and they begin to speak in languages they had never learned. The crowd that gathers is bewildered: each person hears the disciples declaring God's mighty works in their own native language. Some are amazed and ask what it means. But a different group responds differently. They do not ask questions. They sneer.
Key Words
Two words in this verse carry the weight of the moment. The Greek verb for “mocking” is diachleuazontes, an intensive form found only here in the New Testament. It does not mean mild doubt or curiosity. It means active, contemptuous derision. These were not people scratching their heads; they were people sneering at what they could not explain.
The second word is “new wine”, gleukos. This is not freshly pressed grape juice but sweet wine, strong and intoxicating. Some commentators note that at Pentecost there was no new wine from the harvest yet. The mockers reached for the most natural explanation they could find, even if it did not quite fit. They preferred a false natural cause over a real supernatural one. That choice, to mock what we do not understand rather than wonder, is a temptation that hasn't gone away.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christian readers across traditions have seen in this verse a pattern. John Wesley (Methodist) noted that the world begins with mocking, then moves to arguments, threats, imprisonment and violence, a progression that started here. Albert Barnes (Reformed) observed that every revival of religion has drawn similar mockery, and that derision has often deterred people more effectively than reasoned argument. John Gill (Baptist) called the mockers’ explanation a “foolish and impertinent cavil.” The Cambridge Bible (Anglican) points to the excitement of the crowd on both sides as the setting for the remark. All agree: the mockers were not neutral observers. Their words reveal a heart unwilling to accept that God was doing something new.
A common misunderstanding
A common mistake is to think the mockers were simply confused or making a reasonable guess, after all, excited behavior could look like drunkenness. In fact, the Greek word for “mocking” (diachleuazō) indicates active, scornful derision, not innocent speculation. And as Peter points out, it was only nine in the morning, far too early for a feast-day drinking spree. The mockers were not puzzled; they were hostile. They chose ridicule over inquiry.
Living This Out
This verse asks you to notice how you react when God does something you cannot quickly explain. Maybe someone you know is changed in a way that seems strange. Maybe a prayer is answered in an unexpected form. Do you lean in with wonder, or do you reach for a natural explanation that lets you stay comfortable? The mockers remind us that our first response matters. You might also prepare yourself: if you follow the Spirit’s lead, there will be people who mock. Peter did not argue with them; he simply spoke the truth and let God work. You can do the same.
Main takeaway: The same Spirit who fills believers will also draw mockery from those who refuse to believe.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Some people in the crowd laughed at Jesus’ friends when the Holy Spirit came. They said, “They are drunk!” But really, God was doing something wonderful. Don’t be afraid when people laugh at you for loving Jesus.
For ages 9, 12
When the Holy Spirit filled the disciples and they spoke in different languages, some people made fun of them and said they were drunk. Peter stood up and explained that this was the Holy Spirit, just like the prophet Joel had said. Not everyone will understand when God does something powerful. But you can trust that God is at work even when others mock.
Questions People Ask
What does “new wine” mean in Acts 2:13?
The Greek word is gleukos, which refers to sweet wine that could be intoxicating. Commentators note that it was not freshly pressed juice, Pentecost was too early for the grape harvest, but a preserved sweet wine known for its strength. The mockers used this term to accuse the disciples of drunkenness.
Why did people mock the disciples at Pentecost?
The Greek verb diachleuazō is intensive, meaning active derision. These mockers were not curious skeptics; they were contemptuous of what they could not explain. They preferred a natural cause, drunkenness, over accepting that God was pouring out His Spirit in a miraculous way.
How does Peter respond to the mockers in Acts 2?
Peter stands up with the eleven and addresses the crowd directly. He points out that it is only the third hour of the day (9 a.m.), too early for drunkenness. Then he explains that this event is the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. He does not get defensive but turns the moment into a gospel proclamation.
What can we learn from the mockers in Acts 2:13?
This verse shows that even a clear work of God can be met with ridicule. The mockers represent human resistance to the supernatural, a pattern that continues today. It warns us not to be surprised when God’s work draws mockery, and it challenges us to examine our own hearts for any tendency to dismiss what God is doing when it doesn’t fit our expectations.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study