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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joel 2:28-32

The promises of corn, and wine, and oil, in the Joel 2:12-27, would be very acceptable to a wasted country; but here we are taught that we must not rest in those things. God has reserved some better things for us, and these verses have reference to those better things, both the kingdom of grace and the kingdom of glory, with the happiness of true believers in both. We are here told, I. How the kingdom of grace shall be introduced by a plentiful effusion of the Spirit, (Joel 2:28, 29). We are... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joel 2:28

And it shall come to pass afterward ,.... After the teacher of righteousness has been sent, and a plentiful rain of the Gospel has been let down in the land of Judea, in the ministry of John the Baptist, Christ and his apostles, and such a comfortable enjoyment of the blessings of grace in it, and the knowledge of God by it; and after the wonderful work of redemption wrought by Christ. R. Jeshua in Aben Ezra and Jarchi both say this prophecy refers to time to come; and Kimchi observes, that... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joel 2:28

Shall come to pass afterward - כן אחרי acharey ken , "after this;" the same, says Kimchi, as in the latter days, which always refers to the days of the Messiah; and thus this prophecy is to be interpreted: and we have the testimony of St. Peter, Acts 2:17 , that this prophecy relates to that mighty effusion of the Holy Spirit which took place after the day of pentecost. Nor is there any evidence that such an effusion took place, nor such effects were produced, from the days of this... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joel 2:28

Verse 28 We have explained why the Prophet began with earthly blessings. One may indeed think that this order is not regular; for Christ does not in vain remind us, that the kingdom of God ought to be first sought, and that other things shall be added in their place, (Matthew 6:33;) for food, and every thing that belongs to this frail life, are, as it were, additions to the spiritual life. But the Prophet designedly mentioned first the evidence of God’s favor in outward benefits; for we see how... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 2:28-29

And it shall come to pass afterward ( 'acharēkhen ) . This intimates the time when the promised blessing is to be bestowed, and must be read in the light of New Testament exposition; for Peter, in quoting the words ( Acts 2:17 , etc.), varies the prophet's note of time by substituting an explanatory phrase, viz. ἐν ταῖς ἐσχάταις ἡμέραις , "in the last days"—an expression which, as is acknowledged, refers to the days of the Messiah or the last days of the old dispensation.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 2:28-29

The outpouring of the Spirit. We have the authority of St. Peter for applying this prediction to the Messianic dispensation. Joel's mind was lifted up by the happy prospect in the immediate future for his countrymen, and, as was so often the case, his prophetic gaze pierced the dense mists of futurity, and he beheld "the wonder that should be." I. THE PERIOD OF THE GIFT . It is not intended to teach that the bestowal of the Holy Spirit was deferred, and reserved for the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 2:28-29

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit. These words were to have their fulfilment after the purpose expressed in the twenty-third verse had been accomplished. The marginal translation there is the more correct. Joel called upon the children of Zion to rejoice in the Lord, because he was about to send "a Teacher of righteousness." This was he of whom Nicodemus, the ruler of the Jews, said, "We know that thou art a Teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles which thou doest, except... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 2:28-32

These verses form a chapter (the third) by themselves in the Hebrew text, but in the LXX . and the Authorized Version they conclude Joel 2:1-32 . In them the prophet passes on to spiritual blessings. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 2:28-32

The dispensation of the gospel. The prophet had exhibited the wisdom and mercy of the Divine dispensations—God's pity for penitents, and the happiness of all who seek and serve him. "He will be jealous for them, and have compassion on them; he will plead their cause, avert his judgments, drive away their enemies, answer their prayers, and supply their wants; and the greatness of those things that have been done against them shall only enhance their gratitude for the still greater things... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 2:28-32

The gospel age. "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh," etc. Peter quotes this passage, but not with literal accuracy. Divine inspiration secures not uniformity of phraseology, but uniformity in facts and principles. We are authorized in regarding the passage as pointing to the gospel age; or, as Peter says, to the last days. The days of the Messiah are indeed the last days of the world. The passage teaches four things in relation to these last... read more

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