Acts 2:16

16 but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel:

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, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: "Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words.

15 "For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day;

16 but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel:

17 'AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,' God says, 'THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS;

18 EVEN ON MY BONDSLAVES, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN, I WILL IN THOSE DAYS POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT And they shall prophesy.