Acts 2:14

“But Peter standing up with the eleven, etc.] Apostles; their number being now complete, Matthias being chosen in the room of Judas. These all at once rose up, as abhorring the fact they were charged with, and to show the falsehood of it, and to vindicate themselves; when Peter, as their mouth, stood “in the midst” of them, as the Ethiopic version reads, with great courage, boldness, and intrepidity of mind: and “lift up his voice”; that he might be heard by the whole multitude, that was gathered together, as well as to show his zeal and fervour of spirit, and fortitude of mind; for being endued with the Spirit from on high, he was fearless of men, who but a little while ago was frightened by…”

“PETER FOR THE FIRST TIME, PUBLICLY PREACHES CHRIST. (Acts 2:14-36) Peter, standing up with the eleven--in advance, perhaps, of the rest.”

“But Peter - This was in accordance with the natural temperament of Peter. He was bold, forward, ardent; and he rose now to defend the apostles of Jesus Christ, and Christ himself, from an injurious charge. Not daunted by ridicule or opposition, he felt that now was the time for preaching the gospel to the crowd that had been assembled by curiosity. No ridicule should deter Christians from an honest avowal of their opinions, and a defense of the operations of the Holy Spirit. With the eleven - Matthias was now one of the apostles, and now appeared as one of the witnesses for the truth. They probably all arose, and took part in the discourse. Possibly Peter began to discourse, and either all…”

“Then Peter standing up - All the gestures, all the words of Peter, show the utmost sobriety; lifted up his voice - With cheerfulness and boldness; and said to them - This discourse has three parts; each of which, Act 2:14, Act 2:22, Act 2:29, begins with the same appellation, men: only to the last part he prefixes with more familiarity the additional word brethren. Men of Judea - That is, ye that are born in Judea. St. Peter spoke in Hebrew, which they all understood. Acts 2:15”

“2:14-36 This is the first of about thirty speeches in Acts and one of the most important, standing as it does at the very inception of the church. It is a typical example of the preaching of the apostles, who proclaimed (1) that the Old Testament promises had been fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is the promised Messiah; (2) that the apostles themselves were eyewitnesses of Jesus’ entire public ministry and were his chosen representatives; (3) that people are called to repent of their sins and have faith in God through Christ; and (4) that salvation and the presence of the Holy Spirit are promised to those who respond affirmatively to this message of Good…”

“with: Act 1:26 lifted: Isa 40:9, Isa 52:8, Isa 58:1; Hos 8:1 Ye men: Act 2:22, Act 5:35, Act 13:16, Act 21:28 hearken: Act 7:2; Deu 27:9; Pro 8:32; Isa 51:1, Isa 51:4, Isa 51:7, Isa 55:2; Jam 2:5 Acts 2:15”