This list gives you Bible readings for Pentecost, the feast that marks the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the believers in Jerusalem. It is written for anyone preparing a Pentecost service, reading at home, or looking for passages that speak about the Spirit’s power, presence and guidance. The passages below share a common thread: they show God giving his Spirit to ordinary people so they can speak, witness, pray and live in new ways.
Passages About the Coming of the Spirit
These readings go back to the event itself and to the promises that prepared for it. Read them slowly, and notice how the Spirit arrives with a sound, a sight and a sudden change in the people who receive him.
Acts 2:1-4
1 Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 Tongues like fire appeared and were distributed to them, and one sat on each of them. 4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak.
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This is the account of Pentecost itself. Before reading, picture the room full of believers waiting together. Pause after verse 4 and ask God to open your heart to the same Spirit who filled them that morning.
John 14:16-17
16 I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, that he may be with you forever,— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world can’t receive; for it doesn’t see him, neither knows him. You know him, for he lives with you, and will be in you.
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Jesus promises another Helper who will remain with his followers forever. Carry this promise into your week by naming one ordinary place where you need the Spirit’s company, such as a difficult commute or a quiet evening at home.
Ezekiel 37:9-10
9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the wind, prophesy, son of man, and tell the wind, ‘Thus says the Lord the LORD: “Come from the four winds, breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”’” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up on their feet, an exceedingly great army.
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The prophet calls on the breath to come and bring dry bones back to life. Pentecost celebrates that same breath of God entering a community.Read this passage aloud, letting the image of new life shape how you pray for someone who feels spiritually dry.
Passages About the Spirit’s Power and Gifts
The Spirit is not given only for comfort. These verses describe his power to strengthen, to equip and to distribute gifts for the good of the whole church.
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”
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Jesus tells his disciples they will receive power and become witnesses. Consider one small way you can speak of your faith this week, perhaps by sending an encouraging message to a friend or by saying grace at a meal with others present.
1 Corinthians 12:4-7
4 Now there are various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are various kinds of service, and the same Lord. 6 There are various kinds of workings, but the same God, who works all things in all. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all.
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Paul explains that there are many gifts but one Spirit, and that each gift is given for the common good. Ask yourself where you have been quietly serving, and thank God for that gift without comparing it to anyone else’s.
Romans 8:26-27
26 In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be uttered. 27 He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit’s mind, because he makes intercession for the saints according to God.
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When you do not know how to pray, the Spirit helps with groanings too deep for words. Use this on a day when your words run out. Let silence be a form of prayer, trusting that God understands what you cannot say.
Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
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Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit, from love and joy through to self-control. Choose one quality from the list that you most want to grow, and write it on a card where you will see it at the start of each day.
Passages About Unity and Mission
Pentecost also marks the moment the church began to speak many languages and reach many peoples. These readings connect the Spirit to unity across differences and to the work of sharing the good news.
Acts 2:5-11
5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under the sky. 6 When this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were bewildered, because everyone heard them speaking in his own language. 7 They were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Behold, aren’t all these who speak Galileans? 8 How do we hear, everyone in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the parts of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabians: we hear them speaking in our languages the mighty works of God!”
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People from many nations heard the message each in their own language. Use this passage to pray for a neighbor, colleague or relative whose background or language differs from yours, asking God to help you listen well.
Ephesians 4:3-6
3 Being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all.
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Paul urges believers to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Think of one relationship that feels strained and ask what small step toward peace you can take before the week ends.
Joel 2:28-29
28 “It will happen afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams. Your young men will see visions. 29 And also on the servants and on the handmaids in those days, I will pour out my Spirit.
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The prophet promises that God will pour out his Spirit on all people, including sons, daughters, servants and the elderly. Take a moment to thank God for the people in your life whose voices are often overlooked, and seek ways to encourage them.
Romans 5:5
And hope doesn’t disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
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God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. When doubt creeps in, return to this verse and remind yourself that the love you need has already been placed within you.
Acts 4:31
When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
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After prayer, the place where the believers were gathered shook, and they were all filled with the Spirit and spoke the word boldly. Consider praying this for your own church or small group before your next meeting.
How to Use These Verses
Many readers find it helpful to write two or three of these passages on a single card and keep it in a Bible, purse or phone case. Reading one verse during a commute or before a meal can keep the Spirit’s work close to mind throughout the day.
For a Pentecost service or small group, read the passages in the order they appear, pausing after each for a minute of silence. Invite the group to name one gift, fruit or need they associate with the Spirit, and close by praying the prayer below together.
A Short Prayer for Pentecost
Holy Spirit, you came upon the first believers with wind and fire and gave them courage to speak of Jesus. Come to me in the same way today. Breathe new life into the places where I feel tired or dry, and fill me with the patience, joy and love that only you can produce.
Teach me to listen when you speak, and give me words when I am afraid to say them. Help me to serve others with the gift you have given me, and to build unity where I am able. Thank you for your presence, which never leaves me. Amen.
