Acts 2:16-21

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 2:14-36

We have here the first-fruits of the Spirit in the sermon which Peter preached immediately, directed, not to those of other nations in a strange language (we are not told what answer he gave to those that were amazed, and said, What meaneth this?) but to the Jews in the vulgar language, even to those that mocked; for he begins with the notice of that (Acts 2:15), and addresses his discourse (Acts 2:14) to the men of Judea and the inhabitants of Jerusalem; but we have reason enough to think... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 2:14-41

(i) There was kerugma ( Greek #2782 ). Kerugma ( Greek #2782 ) literally means a herald's announcement and is the plain statement of the facts of the Christian message, about which, as the early preachers saw it, there can be no argument or doubt. (ii) There was didache ( Greek #1322 ). Didache ( Greek #1322 ) literally means teaching and elucidated the meaning of the facts which had been proclaimed. (iii) There was paraklesis ( Greek #3874 ) which literally means... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible 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 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 Jarchi in Joel ii. 28.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 2:17

And it shall come to pass in the last days ,.... In Joel it is, "afterwards"; instead of which Peter puts, "in the last days"; the sense is the same: and so R. David Kimchi, a celebrated commentator with the Jews, observes, that "afterwards" is the same "as in the last days", and which design the times of the Messiah; for according to a rule given by the same writer on Isaiah 2:2 wherever the last days are mentioned, the days of the Messiah are intended, Saith God , or "the Lord", as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 2:19

And I will show wonders in heaven above ,.... The word above is not in Joel, nor in the Syriac version here, as neither the word "beneath", in the next clause. This may refer either to the appearance of angels, and of an extraordinary star at the birth of Christ; or rather to comets and blazing stars, and particularly to that comet which, in the form of a flaming sword, hung over Jerusalem, and the forms of armies in the heavens engaged together, which were seen before, and portended the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 2:20

The sun shall be turned into darkness ,.... As at the death of Christ, by a total eclipse of it: and the moon into blood ; as at the opening of the sixth seal, Revelation 6:12 . before that great and notable day of the Lord come ; when he shall come in power and great glory, as he did in a few years after this, to take vengeance on the Jews, and destroy their nation, city, and temple; in which there was a display of his greatness, and power, and which was awful and "terrible" to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 2:21

And it shall come to pass ,.... Even at that time, when these signs shall appear, and the destruction is hastening on, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord ; shall believe in the Lord Jesus Christ with the heart, and shall confess him with the mouth, and shall worship him in Spirit and in truth, and submit to all his ordinances and commands; for invocation of the Lord includes the whole of worship, internal and external: shall be saved ; or delivered from that temporal... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 2:16

Spoken by the prophet Joel - The prophecy which he delivered so long ago is just now fulfilled; and this is another proof that Jesus whom ye have crucified is the Messiah. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 2:17

In the last days - The time of the Messiah; and so the phrase was understood among the Jews. I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh - Rabbi Tanchum says, "When Moses laid his hands upon Joshua, the holy blessed God said, In the time of the old text, each individual prophet prophesied; but, in the times of the Messiah, all the Israelites shall be prophets." And this they build on the prophecy quoted in this place by Peter. Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy - The word... read more

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