Keraia
Acts 2

Acts 2:17

Peter Addresses the Crowd · Acts 2:14–36
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Translations

Modern
‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
Traditional
And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Literal
‘And it will come to pass in the last days, God says, that I will pour out from My Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, and your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.
Latin
Et erit in novissimis diebus, dicit Dominus, effundam de Spiritu meo super omnem carnem: et prophetabunt filii vestri et filiæ vestræ, et juvenes vestri visiones videbunt, et seniores vestri somnia somniabunt.

Interlinear

Greek
English
‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

Notes

Acts 2:17–21

This passage quotes Joel 2:28–32. The prophet Joel prophesied that in the last days, many people would have the gifts of prophecy, including visions and dreams. This would include both young and old, and both men and women (Joel 2:28–29). In Acts, on the day of Pentecost, Peter announced that Joel’s prophecy was coming true, indicating that "the last days" had begun.

Acts 2:14–36

This is the first of about 30 speeches in Acts and one of the most important. It marks the beginning of the Christian church. It is a typical example of the preaching of the apostles.

The apostles proclaimed:

  1. that the Old Testament promises came true in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the promised Messiah;

  2. that the apostles were eyewitnesses of the public ministry of Jesus and were his chosen representatives;

  3. that people must turn away (repent) from their sins and trust in God through Christ; and

  4. that salvation and the presence of the Holy Spirit are promised to those who have a positive response to this message of the gospel.

This basic message repeats in the sermons of chapters 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, and 13. The same themes characterized the apostle Paul's preaching (see 1 Corinthians 15:3–9). The apostles all repeated this message when preaching to both Jews and non-Jews (Gentiles) throughout the world around the Mediterranean Sea. All people must turn away (repent) from their sins and turn to God by trusting in Jesus Christ.

Events

Parallels

Psalm 16:1–11 Joel 2:28–32

Glossary

Baptism of the Spirit Bible, Quotations of the Old Testament in the New Testament Book of Joel Book of the Acts of the Apostles Circumcision Day of the Lord Foreknowledge God, Being and Attributes of Jesus Christ Last Days Lord’s Supper, the Parthia, Parthians Peter, the Apostle Prophecy Prophet, Prophetess Repentance Spirit of God

Topics

Church: Prophecies Concerning Prosperity of Deja Vu Dream: Revelations By Dreamers Female Ministers Gender Roles Interpreting Dreams Modern Prophets Orator: The Apostles Peter: Preaches on Pentecost Day Preaching: Effective by Peter and Other Apostles Prophecy: Gift of, Promised Religious Zeal: Peter Revivals: At Pentecost, and Times After Pentecost Select Readings: Peter on the Day of Pentecost Sexism Sexual Equality The Inspiration of the Holy Spirit: Foretold Tongue: Gift of Vision: A Mode of Revelation Walking in your Anointing Women's Rights