Bible facts

What is Pentecost? Meaning, history and date

Pentecost is the Christian feast that celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit on the apostles, told in Acts 2. It falls fifty days after Easter, on the seventh Sunday after it. The word comes from Greek and means “fiftieth”. Its roots are in the Jewish feast of Shavuot.

What happened on the day of Pentecost?

According to the book of Acts, Jesus’ disciples were gathered in Jerusalem when they heard a sound like a mighty wind and saw tongues like fire resting on each of them. They began to speak in other languages, and people from many nations understood them:

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Peter then gave his first sermon, and the text says about three thousand people were baptized that day (Acts 2:41). That is why many Christians call Pentecost the “birthday of the Church”.

What does the word Pentecost mean?

It comes from the Greek pentekōstē, “fiftieth”. It was the name Greek-speaking Jews gave to the feast held fifty days after Passover.

How is Pentecost related to the Jewish feast of Shavuot?

Before it was a Christian feast, Pentecost was Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks: seven weeks counted from Passover, celebrating the wheat harvest and the first fruits. Over time, Jewish tradition came to remember on this day the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, where the Ten Commandments were given. That feast is why so many pilgrims were in Jerusalem in the story of Acts.

When is Pentecost?

On the seventh Sunday after Easter, fifty days counting Easter Sunday itself. Because Easter moves every year, so does Pentecost. Orthodox churches follow a different calendar for Easter, so their Pentecost usually falls on another date.

How each tradition celebrates

Catholics: Pentecost closes the Easter season. The liturgical color is red, recalling the tongues of fire.
Orthodox: the feast is also called Trinity Sunday.
Protestants: the Pentecostal movement takes its name from this event and emphasizes the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Jews: on Shavuot the Book of Ruth is read, dairy dishes are customary, and many study Torah through the night.

Symbols of Pentecost

Fire and wind come from the account in Acts. The dove, a symbol of the Holy Spirit, comes from the baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:16).

If you are starting to read the Bible, Acts is one of the books suggested in our guide where to start reading the Bible.

Frequently asked questions