Expert: Dean Gade - 1/23/2009

Question
I have been studying Pentecost and I have a question about the "upper room".I had always assumed that the upper room was in an actual house.I have read a theory that the 120 were gathered together in the temple in an upper room.Reading the KJV and the NLT neither are absolutley definitive on the upper room being in a house or temple.
Reference scriptures:Acts 2:1,Acts 2:14,Acts 2:46
Thank you for your help.

Answer
The "upper room" was the place where they met for the Lord's last supper at the PASSOVER.  The Greek word is "anogeon"  which means second floor or upper story of a house..sometimes a dome or balcony.


Mk 14:13-16

13 So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Say to the owner of the house he enters, 'The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?' 15 He will show you a large upper room , furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there."
16 The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.
NIV

For the day of Pentecost, they met at some "place" which is not defined.
But the Bible does say that AFTER Pentecost they met in the temple courts ...... as well as in their homes.

Ac 2:1
2:1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
NIV

Ac 2:46
46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
NIV