What are cloven tongues?

Answer

When people hear of “cloven tongues,” they almost immediately think of Acts 2:3. As the Holy Spirit filled the 120 disciples in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost, “there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them” (KJV). Other translations refer to “divided tongues as of fire” (ESV) or “tongues as of fire distributing themselves” (NASB).

The word cloven means “divided” or “separated.” The picture is of something like a large fire appearing in the room then dividing into “tongues” that rested momentarily upon each person in the room. Luke is careful to say that this was not actual fire, only “what seemed to be . . . fire” «And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. », (Acts 2:3). The dividing of the “fire” into small, tongue-shaped flames signifies several things: John the Baptist’s prophecy of Jesus’ baptizing people “with the Holy Spirit and fire” was possibly being fulfilled (see Matthew 3:11), there is one Spirit who gives many gifts «but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. », (see 1 Corinthians 12:11), there was a great variety of languages that the disciples were being enabled to speak (see Acts 2:6-11), and the disciples were being granted “fiery” eloquence to preach the gospel to all nations (see Acts 4:13).

Before His ascension, Jesus had told His disciples not to leave Jerusalem but to stay there and “wait for the gift my Father promised. . . . In a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:4-5).The gift of God arrived with an audible sign—the sound like a “rushing mighty wind” «And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. », (Acts 2:2, KJV)—and with a visible sign—the “cloven tongues like as of fire” (verse 3, KJV). The Lord was faithful to His promise, and the disciples of Christ were transformed forever. The presence of God Himself had come to dwell within us, and the world was completely changed «And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; », (Acts 17:6).