Acts 2:16

16 Instead, this is what the prophet Joel spoke about:

Acts 2:16 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 2:16

But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel.
] This affair, which is a matter of wonder and amazement with some, and of speculation with others, and of ridicule and contempt with the most, not the effect of wine, but the fulfilment of a prophecy in ( Joel 2:28-32 ) and is that effusion of the Spirit there foretold; and this prophecy is by the Jews themselves allowed to belong to the world to come, or to the times of the Messiah. Some of their commentators ^F15 say, that it refers (dytel) , "to time to come"; by which they frequently mean the times of the Messiah; and another says ^F16 expressly, that they belong (xyvmh tymyl) , "to the days of the Messiah"; and in one of their Midrashes ^F17 it is observed, that

``the holy blessed God says in this world they prophesy single, (particular persons,) but "in the world to come" all "Israel" shall become prophets, as it is said, ( Joel 2:28 ) "and it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your old men" So expounds R. Tanchums with R. Aba.''

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FOOTNOTES:

F15 Jarchi in Joel ii. 28. & R. Jeshuah in Aben Ezra in loc.
F16 R. David Kimchi in loc.
F17 Bemidbar Rabba, sect. 15. fol. 219. 2.

Acts 2:16 In-Context

14 Then Peter stood up with the other eleven apostles and in a loud voice began to speak to the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, listen to me and let me tell you what this means.

15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose; it is only nine o'clock in the morning.

16 Instead, this is what the prophet Joel spoke about:

17 "This is what I will do in the last days, God says: I will pour out my Spirit on everyone. Your sons and daughters will proclaim my message; your young men will see visions, and your old men will have dreams.

18 Yes, even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will proclaim my message.