Acts 2:5

"And," it says, "there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men." The fact of their dwelling there was a sign of piety: that being of so many nations they should have left country, and home, and relations, and be abiding there.

Now it was in order that they might have it in their power, in compliance with the Law, to appear thrice in the year in the Temple, that they dwelt there, these "devout men from all nations." Observe here, the writer has no intention of flattering them. For he does not say that they pronounced any opinion: but what? "Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded." And well they might be; for they supposed the matter was now coming to an issue against them, on account of the outrage committed against Christ. Conscience also agitated their souls, the very blood being yet upon their hands, and every thing alarmed them.

That devout ones show that, having left their homelands and forsaken possessions and houses, they chose to dwell in Jerusalem, so that according to the ancestral law they might offer to God three times in the year.

Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men, from every nation under heaven. I think it fitting to inquire who these were, and from what captivity the Jews. Since indeed the one that was in Egypt or Babylon had already been completed. But the Jews had not yet come into captivity to the Romans, although even that itself was already impending as retribution for the sin committed against the Savior. Therefore, it remains to be understood as the captivity that took place under Antiochus, which certainly had happened not many times before.

"Devout men." The very fact that, having left their homelands, they dwelt in Jerusalem was a sign of their devoutness. Especially since people who had set out from various countries to take up residence in Jerusalem had left behind homes and relatives. The expression "out of every nation" is used in place of the expression "of many tongues," because in Scripture the word "all" is often used instead of "many"; thus, in this sense the following is said: "I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh" (Joel 2:28), and: "all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's" (Phil. 2:21), and: "there is none righteous, no, not one" (Rom. 3:10). By the expression of totality, Scripture in these places denotes many.