What does the Bible actually say about speaking in tongues? This article provides every Scripture reference to tongues, organized by book, with helpful context.

Old Testament Prophecies

Isaiah 28:11-12

"Very well then, with foreign lips and strange tongues God will speak to this people... This is the resting place, let the weary rest."

Context: Paul quotes this in 1 Corinthians 14:21 regarding tongues as a sign.

Joel 2:28-29

"I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days."

Context: Peter references this prophecy on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:16-21), connecting it to tongues and prophecy.

The Gospels

Mark 16:17

"And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues."

Context: Jesus' promise of signs following believers, including "new tongues."

Note: Mark 16:9-20 is not in the earliest manuscripts, though it's accepted by many as canonical.

The Book of Acts

Acts 2:1-4 (Day of Pentecost)

"When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."

Context: First occurrence of New Testament tongues; 120 disciples filled with the Spirit.

Acts 2:5-11 (The Response)

"Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: 'Aren't all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?... We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!'"

Context: The tongues were understood as known languages by the international crowd.

Acts 10:44-46 (Cornelius's Household)

"While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God."

Context: Gentiles receive the Spirit with tongues, proving God accepts them.

Acts 19:1-6 (Ephesian Disciples)

"Paul asked them, 'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?' They answered, 'No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.'... When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied."

Context: Disciples who only knew John's baptism receive the Spirit with tongues.

1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (Spiritual Gifts)

"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them... To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom... to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines."

Context: Tongues listed among the spiritual gifts given by the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:28-30

"And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?"

Context: Tongues listed among church ministries; rhetorical questions suggest not all have every gift.

1 Corinthians 13:1

"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal."

Context: Even the gift of tongues is worthless without love.

1 Corinthians 13:8

"Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away."

Context: Cessationists cite this for tongues ending; continuationists argue the timing is "when completeness comes" (v.10)—Christ's return.

1 Corinthians 14:1-5

"Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy."

Context: Tongues is for private edification; prophecy builds the church.

1 Corinthians 14:6-12

"Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?"

Context: Uninterpreted tongues doesn't benefit the congregation.

1 Corinthians 14:13-17

"For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding... Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else... say 'Amen' to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying?"

Context: Instruction on praying in tongues vs. understanding.

1 Corinthians 14:18-19

"I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue."

Context: Paul valued tongues privately but prioritized understanding in church.

1 Corinthians 14:21-22

"In the Law it is written: 'With other tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.' Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers."

Context: Tongues serves as a sign to unbelievers (quoting Isaiah 28:11-12).

1 Corinthians 14:23-25

"So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted..."

Context: Order matters; uninterpreted tongues confuses outsiders.

1 Corinthians 14:26-28

"What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God."

Context: Guidelines for tongues in worship: limit to 2-3, interpret, or stay silent.

1 Corinthians 14:39-40

"Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way."

Context: Final instruction: don't forbid tongues, but maintain order.

Summary Table

Passage	Context
Isaiah 28:11-12	Prophecy of speaking in other tongues
Joel 2:28-29	Spirit poured out with supernatural manifestations
Mark 16:17	Jesus' promise of "new tongues"
Acts 2:1-11	Day of Pentecost—Spirit and tongues
Acts 10:44-46	Gentiles receive Spirit with tongues
Acts 19:1-6	Ephesians receive Spirit with tongues
1 Cor 12:4-11	Tongues as a spiritual gift
1 Cor 12:28-30	Not all have every gift
1 Cor 13:1	Tongues without love is empty
1 Cor 13:8	Tongues will cease (when?)
1 Cor 14:1-40	Detailed teaching on tongues

Key Takeaways

Tongues is biblical — Clearly present in Scripture
Multiple purposes — Sign, prayer, edification, praise
Guidelines exist — Order and interpretation required in church
Love matters more — Gifts without love are worthless
Interpretation varies — Christians disagree on today's application

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"I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you." — The Apostle Paul, 1 Corinthians 14:18

Scriptures on Tongues: Every Bible Verse About Speaking in Tongues