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And they continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” Acts 2:12
“What Does This Mean?” – Sometimes a culturally significant expression goes right by us because we read it with different eyes. You’ve probably read this verse dozens of times, but you probably never considered why these men asked such a strange question. They don’t ask the question we would ask. They don’t ask, “What’s happening?” They ask something else.
You’re part of the Jerusalem news team. You’re on the scene for the festival at the temple. Suddenly more than 100 people begin praising God in the languages of foreign visitors. Swinging the camera toward the talking-head reporter, you hear him say, “But what does this mean?” Ah, the question is perfectly legitimate, but it’s not very Greek. Our questions are about what happens. We want to know who, what, where and how. Jewish questions in the first century had a different focus. The questions these men asked were not about who was speaking, what they were saying, how this happened or where they came from. The question they asked was about the meaning of the event. The Jews thought about why. Why did they think this way? Why was their perspective so different? Neusner explains:
“. . . in Midrash compilations the past takes place in the present. The present embodies the past. And there is no indeterminate future over the horizon, only a clear and present path to be chosen if people will it. With distinctions between past, present and future time found to make no difference, and in their stead, different categories of meaning and social order deemed self-evident, the Midrash transforms ancient Israel’s history into the categorical structure of eternal Israel’s society, so that past, present, and future meet in the here and now.”[1]
Yeshua has the same orientation in the incident with the man born blind (John 9). The disciples want to know who was responsible. Yeshua points them toward why the blindness happened. This distinction marks a huge difference between our view of history and the Jewish view of history. What matters for us is the correct order of events, the cause and effect relationships, the accurate reporting of the situation. What matters for the rabbis is God’s perspective. “What does this mean?” In order to ask this question, we must have a different perspective on life. What actually happens is not nearly as important as what God is doing in the midst of our events. Our focus must shift from chronos to kairos. The most important answer is not the explanation of the event. It is the meaning of the event. That meaning can only be understood when we connect God’s hand with our lives. If we don’t know what God reveals in an event, then we don’t know anything about the event.
Do you suppose your view of life would change if you started looking for the meaning of events and stopped trying to find cause and effect explanations?
Topical Index: ask, meaning, Acts 2:12, why?, Neusner
[1] Jacob Neusner, Judaism and the Interpretation of Scripture, p. 6.
It’s kind of ironic – I spend a lot of time trying to get my students to think about what certain word choices of authors mean and why he or she wrote things a specific way (I teach high school English), but I often find myself asking what instead of why. Maybe I need to apply some of my own teaching strategies to situations in life. 🙂 I need to ask more about the significance and purpose than the what (which is ultimately kind of pointless because it is what it is, and knowing what it is isn’t going to make any difference in the situation or for me and my life). Maybe that’s why I don’t care if my students know precisely what happened in history (when I teach history) as long as they can explain why it was important and what it means in the grander scheme of things…
Interesting thought to ponder! Thanks!
Amanda
good morning family!– Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Another statement of amazement and confusion. We have to be taught everything we know. I wasn’t born knowing how to ride a bicycle- someone had to show me. (thanx dad!). Yes, when Yeshua “arrived on the scene” it was quite “disruptive.” It was not “just another day at all”- but something “new” had come to this green planet. (The planet He made!).
The cross of the Christ was absolutely “unexpected!” lol!- Hasatan had know “earthly” (lol!) idea about the plans of YHWH. (what a dummyhead!). Yes, he is brilliantly stupid.
I find myself quoting this particular slice of scripture frequently.. “what meaneth this?”- straight out of the KJV. BTW- if you’re going to ask this question- go to the cross of the Christ sometime- see Him hanging there and ask this same question again- “what meaneth this?” What was G-d doing here? Why the cross? Why did He bleed and die? -and why did he suffer in my place? -Oh yes, dear family- the cross, the cross, the cross. It “explains” alot. Hallelujah for the tslav of our Messiah. Amen.
Brother Skip … how appropriate that this commentary today comes as the counting of the Omer has begun according to tradition! “What does it mean” … is the correct question!
And “what does it mean?” is the consistent theme of the entire Spring Mo’adim …. why do we perform the Pesach Seder and do the things we do … what is the meaning? What does it mean to eat matzah for the entire week? We know the why … but what is it that ELOHIM purposes for us in doing so?
And “what does it mean” is the consistent theme of all Scriptures!
You are correct brother Skip … our efforts are much better spent in pondering the purpose of matters instead of attempting to explain the temporal possibilities of how or why!
Perhaps such a change in perspective would eliminate the contention regarding basic obedience?
Shalom
According to tradition, as opposed to according to Scripture.
The countdown to Shavuot, according to Deut 16:9, begins on the morning after the weekly sabbath (i.e. the first day of the week, the Feast of First Fruits) that falls during the seven days of the Feast of Unleavened Bread; this means that Shavuot always occurs on the first day of the week. One Rabbinic tradition, however, starts the countdown the morning after the first day of Unleavened Bread, which means that Shavuot falls on a different day of the week each year. This I believe is one of those “Jewish traditions that turns away from the truth” that Sha’ul wrote of.
Yes indeed. Time to get away from the notion that you can get 3 days and 3 nights between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, or that Yeshua would have risen at the “Easter Sunday Sunrise Service”.
This year according to the observed calendar (not the Rabbinic calendar) the days of Pesach (Passover), Unleavened Bread and First Fruits fall out exactly as they did in the year Yeshua was crucified.
The first day of the New Year, according to the sighting of the New Moon over Jerusalem, began at sundown on March 17th on the Gregorian calendar.
Pesach (the 14th day of the first month) was the afternoon of March 31st (Wed, the fourth day of the week, when the lamb was killed and Yeshua was crucified); he was in the grave before sundown on the 14th, at which time began the first day of Unleavened Bread (which was a High Sabbath). He rose again 3 days and 3 nights later (the sign of the prophet Jonah, just as he promised His disciples) just before sundown on the weekly sabbath.
The following morning was First Fruits, when He presented Himself to the Father as the first fruits of the resurrection. 50 days later the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) was given at Shavuot (which, incidentally, had to be exactly 70 weeks after He was baptised in the River Jordan according to the Daniel’s prophecy).
What does this mean?
I believe that now is the time when our Father is causing the scales to fall from our eyes so that we can again see the truth of His word and begin to understand what He’s calling us back to. In the words of Yochanan ben Zekariah ha Kohen (John the Baptist), “Repent (shoov – return to the ancient paths) for the Kingdom of YHVH is at hand”.
Our Passover Lamb has been sacrificed – therefore, let us celebrate the Feast!
Shalom Rodney,
Yes the Omer counting has begun “according to tradition” … a comment made in the context of Skip’s Shavu’ot related daily message.
I concur with you and the rendering of the “days”! 🙂 … In fact I have had some difficulties in years gone by actually finding a congregation that was celebrating Shavu’ot on the correct day … sad to say.
But you must also be aware that there remains significant contention over the rendering of the applicable days … 🙂 … as a general declaration!
In any event I would first and foremost love to see all believers just celebrating the Biblical Pesach and then let us worry about counting the omer correctly after all who would come will come!
Nice posting! 🙂
Thanks, Drew. Yes, I agree with your comments, especially the desire to see believers celebrating Pesach and coming to a full and joyful realization of the depth of meaning and truth concerning our Saviour that is contained therein. And, of course, the hope of the future exodus from the nations which Jeremiah says will be so great that it will cause us to forget the former exodus from Egypt (Jeremiah 16:14ff).
Didn’t the writer of the letter to the Hebrews state that the Feasts were “shadow pictures of good things to come? Even though Pesach, the Bikkurim (First Fruits) and Shavuot were fulfilled in Yeshua’s time, I believe that there is a still future fulfillment of these which will precede the fulfillment of the Feast of Trumpets, Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) and Tabernacles.
Shalom.
No doubt Rodney! … No doubt!
One could also project the unknown/unimaginable cycles (associated with the Festivals) being continued … for His good pleasure and our benefit! 🙂
Regarding the three you discuss … I for one anticipate a deeper completion of these Festivals in and by Mashiach Yeshua … oh boy … what anticipation! 🙂
How could it be otherwise … since all things were made in, through and for HIM … our Lord and Savior … Yeshua Adoneinu!
I am learning that as I ecounter events that throw me or take me off guard, I say, “ELOHIM, this did not take you off guard. YOU knew this was going to happen and it happened in your perfect timing, so…what is it that YOU need me to learn from this experience? What is it that YOU want to accomplish through me from this experience? Here I am.”
What does this mean to me?
Well, Acts 2 is nothing like the “evening news,” that’s for sure.
We start with Pentecost in a house where the sound of strong winds from Heaven fill the air and tongues of fire rest on the heads of all those inside.
Of course, we know that the leader of this movement, Yeshua, was executed for his acts, which ran orthogonal to the way of this world.
And I think that most of us are probably not ready to live in a commune like the Early Christian Community described in Acts 2:44:
Acts 2:44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.
Ah, the influence of tradition and the impact of culturalization. The “house” where this took place was the Temple. There was no house in all of Jerusalem that would hold 120 people. Furthermore, the event was the festival which we have renamed Pentecost. So, like all observant Jews, these people were gathered at the “house.” That’s why the crowd was instantly startled and observed the occurrence. Time to sort out all of our overlays.
Skip … this almost slid by without notice!
I am quite gladdened that you point out the correct context surrounding the “house” wherein Yeshua’s faithful followers were at Shavu’ot! Thanks also for pointing out the replacement Festival … that is Pentecost!
This notion of the giving of Ruach HaKodesh to be anywhere but a place where YHVH set HIS Name is trivialized … sadly.
Written Torah given on Mount Sinai … Spiritual Torah given on Mount Zion! Both places where YHVH has set His Holy Name!
The sounds of rushing winds … perhaps the same sound as the Shofar blast on Mount Sinai?
Oh my …. what means this indeed?
Let the count down to Shavu’ot continue in mystery, great anticipation and awe!
What a wondrous and generous Abba we have … if it would be so we could find it hard to even come up for air!
Hi Skip,
Thanks for the clarification!
Would I be correct to say the Jewish “House of Prayer” = Synagogue = Temple?
And that these Jews were there to observe the “replacement festival” (the “burning bush” and receiving the Ten Commandments).
So that the fire over the heads of the apostles was both startling and somewhat coincidental?
“House of Prayer” – almost correct. The synagogue was never The House of Prayer since it was merely the teaching place in the local community. The one and only House of Prayer was the Temple. Also the only place where the sacrifices could be offered, etc. So, since all Torah observant males were to be at the Temple for the celebration of Shav’ot, 50 days after the exodus from Egypt (the Passover), they would have observed all the commotion and asked, “What does this mean?” Once the story became Greek, Pentecost (50 days) was added to the Christian-Greek calendar and re-interpreted so it no longer was Jewish.
This would surely be a more enlightening perspective. But, there are so many “If . . . then” statements in the Torah that just seem to jump out at us. It is difficult to not connect those passages to a cause and effect mindset. It does appear to be the difference between legalism and freedom. Truly, our minds need to be renewed through The Word.
It is interesting that the Jews on Pentecost ask, “What does this mean?” However, they also asked, “Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native lanuage?” Are you saying that their response did not remain with the question, “How?” but moved on to “What does this mean?” They asked both questions.
“How is it that we hear?” leads to “What does this mean?” The objective is to determine the meaning, not to understand the causal connections. That’s the difference. We are satisfied when we know the cause. Hebrew is not satisfied until it knows the reason why.
“Hebrew is not satisfied until it knows the reason why.”
Hi Skip,
That’s interesting. I’m never satisfied until I know the reason why.
Yes, as long as “why” isn’t just a substitute for a causal chain explanation. “Why” in Hebrew is eschatological. The final explanation always rests in the purposes of God – and most of the time we are not privileged to know it.