Acts 2:16

16 No, here is what the prophet Joel meant.

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 Eleven. In a loud voice he spoke to the crowd. "My Jewish friends," he said, "let me explain this to you. All of you who live in Jerusalem, listen carefully to what I say.

15 You think these people are drunk. But they aren't. It's only nine o'clock in the morning!

16 No, here is what the prophet Joel meant.

17 He said, " 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Holy Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will have dreams.

18 In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on those who serve me, both men and women. When I do, they will prophesy.