What is Pentecost? Today we will discuss the timing and meaning of Pentecost. Over the next few days, we will discuss what occurred on Pentecost that fulfilled a promise Jesus made to His apostles. First, the definition of Pentecost is the fiftieth part, which becomes fifty days.
Pentecost occurs fifty days after Passover. It is also called the “Feast of Weeks.” It occurred seven weeks after Pentecost to thank God for the grain harvest. The Jews would travel to Jerusalem for the festival, just as they traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover.
At some point, the festival also became connected to the giving of the law to Moses at Mount Sinai. Knowing the reason for the festival helps us better understand the timing of God’s plan to give the Holy Spirit to Jesus’ disciples. For God does nothing by accident. He has meticulously planned and put his plan in motion. His plan continues to be executed with precision.
Who were gathered together on that Pentecost day about two-thousand years ago? We cannot rely on movies to be our guide. We must rely on Scripture. In Acts 1:15, Luke tells there were about one-hundred-twenty gathered at one point during the days between Jesus’ ascension and Pentecost at the time they selected Matthias to replace Judas, who had betrayed Jesus. Therefore, it is possible, and perhaps probable, there were as many as one-hundred-twenty present on Pentecost. Minimally, it would have been the twelve apostles and several women who ministered to Jesus.
Based on historical information, which includes the dating of Roman rulers in Israel, it is most likely that Jesus was crucified in AD 30. Assuming that year is accurate, Pentecost would have fallen on May 27 of that year, according to our modern calendars. Luke intentionally states it was the day of Pentecost, meaning it was the morning of that day when the group was gathered. This also tells us the visitors to the city for the festival were awake and moving about.
Tomorrow, we will continue by reviewing what happened when the Holy Spirit appeared.
Acts 2:1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.
Marty Pressey 