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Act 2:3. Αὐτοῖς, to them) Construe this with ὤφθησαν, there appeared, but in such a way as that the force of the pronoun may extend also to being shared, or parted [among them], διαμεριζόμεναι. And this is tantamount to distributed, but in the present: with which comp. Act 2:45, διεμέριζον αὐτὰ πᾶσιν, “they parted them to all men.” The expression used is not σχιζόμεναι, as if the tongues in their mouths were cloven or split; nor διαιρούμεναι, divided, as if it was only a different kind of fiery eloquence or utterance that was given to different persons. An intermediate verb is used, viz. διαμεριζόμεναι.-γλῶσσαι, tongues) The word is taken here in a metaphorical sense, as לשון everywhere, and לְשׁוֹן אֵשׁ, Isa 5:24, the tongue of fire, that there may be denoted, as it were fiery tongues. Yet a considerable part of the literal (unfigurative) meaning remains, because speaking is the subject in hand. There were little tongue-like flames resting on the heads of the disciples individually, not coming forth out of their mouths; for there follows, and sat, viz. the Holy Spirit (see foll. ver.), which “came upon” them, ch. Act 1:8, under the appearance of the tongues. There is not added the article αἱ, which would denote the natural tongues in the apostles’ mouths, which were now miraculously affected.-ἐκάθισέ τε, and sat) viz. ὁ καθίζων, the sitter. Comp. ἐκάθισαν, “I saw thrones, and they sat upon them,” Rev 20:4. An appropriate ellipsis: for not immediately, but only after a little time, it was evident that the Sitter was the Holy Spirit.-ἐφʼ ἓνα ἓκαστον, upon each one) Comp. by all means ἐπὶ, upon, Joh 1:32-33, “The Spirit-abode-remaining-upon Him.” [This was the baptism of the Holy Ghost and of fire.-V. g.]