“And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.”
They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them — fire (pyr) in theophany contexts signals God's purifying, refining, and empowering presence (cf. Exodus 3:2, Ezek. 1:4). The separation into individual tongues (dialyzontai) shows the Spirit distributes power to each believer equally; this is democratization of the Spirit's gifting beyond prophets and kings. The resting (kathizo, sat/settled) on each shows completion and personal appropriation of the Spirit's gift.
Church Fathers on Acts 2:3
And there appeared unto them, it says, cloven tongues like as of fire. Acts 2:3 Observe how it is always, like as; and rightly: that you may have no gross sensible notions of the Spirit. Also, as it were of a blast: therefore it was not a wind. Like as of fire. For when the Spirit was to be made known to John, then it came upon the head of Christ as in the form of a dove: but now, when a whole multitude was to be converted, it is like as of fire. And it sat upon each of them.…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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