Acts 2:16

16 But Joel the prophet wrote about what is happening here today:

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 But Peter stood up with the eleven apostles, and in a loud voice he spoke to the crowd: "My fellow Jews, and all of you who are in Jerusalem, listen to me. Pay attention to what I have to say.

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

16 But Joel the prophet wrote about what is happening here today:

17 'God says: In the last days I will pour out my Spirit on all kinds of people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.

18 At that time I will pour out my Spirit also on my male slaves and female slaves, and they will prophesy.