Acts 2:18

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.

Acts 2:18 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 2:18

And on my servants, and on my handmaidens
In Joel it is only the servants and the handmaids; and which Kimchi interprets of strangers that should stand in the land of Israel, and serve the Israelites. But these phrases do not seem so much to describe the civil state and condition of those persons, as their religious character, being such as were brought, by the power of divine grace, to yield a cheerful obedience to the will of God; though it may also regard the former, and show, that with God there is no distinction and difference of bond or free, of rich or poor; contrary to a maxim of the Jews F19, that the Shekinah does not dwell but upon a wise man, a mighty man, and a rich man.

I will pour out, in those days, of my Spirit, and they shall
prophesy;
see the note on the preceding verse, from whence this clause, "and they shall prophesy", is repeated; for it is not in the text in Joel; which is done to point at the end and effect of the Spirit being poured down upon them.


FOOTNOTES:

F19 T. Bab. Sabbat, fol. 92. 1.

Acts 2:18 In-Context

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.
19 I will perform miracles in the sky above and wonders on the earth below. There will be blood, fire, and thick smoke;
20 the sun will be darkened, and the moon will turn red as blood, before the great and glorious Day of the Lord comes.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.