Joel 3:20-21

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joel 3:18-21

These promises with which this prophecy concludes have their accomplishments in part in the kingdom of grace, and the comforts and graces of all the faithful subjects of that kingdom, but will have their full accomplishment in the kingdom of glory; for, as to the Jewish church, we know not of any event concerning that which answers to the extent of these promises, and what instances of peace and prosperity they were blessed with, which they may be supposed to be a hyperbolical description of,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joel 3:20

But Judah shall dwell for ever ,.... The converted Jews shall dwell in their own land for ever, to the end of the, world and never more be carried captive, Ezekiel 37:25 ; and the true professing people of God, as Judah signifies, shall continue in a church state, evermore, and never more be disturbed by any enemies, they shall dwell safely and peaceably to the end of time: and Jerusalem from generation to generation ; shall dwell so in like manner, age after age; that is, the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joel 3:21

For I will cleanse their blood which I have not cleansed ,.... Which some understand, as the Targum, of the Lord's, inflicting further punishments on the, enemies of his people, for shedding their innocent blood; and that he will not expiate their sins, nor hold them guiltless, or suffer them to go unpunished; but rather this is to be interpreted in a way of grace and mercy, as a benefit bestowed on Judah and Jerusalem, who are the immediate antecedents to the relative here; and in the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joel 3:20

But Judah shall dwell for ever - The true Church of Christ shall be supported, while all false and persecuting Churches shall be annihilated. The promise may also belong to the full and final restoration of the Jews, when they shall dwell at Jerusalem as a distinct people professing the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joel 3:21

For I will cleanse their blood - נקיתי nikkeythi , I will avenge the slaughter and martyrdom of my people, which I have not yet avenged. Persecuting nations and persecuting Churches shall all come, sooner or later, under the stroke of vindictive justice. For the Lord dwelleth in Zion - He shall be the life, soul, spirit, and defense of his Church for ever. This prophet, who has many things similar to Ezekiel, ends his prophecy nearly in the same way: Ezekiel says of the glory of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joel 3:20

Verse 20 God here testifies that his redemption would not be for a short time, but that its fruit would be for a long, period, yea, perpetual: for it would be but a small thing for the Church to be redeemed, except God kept it safe under his own power. This second thing the Prophet now adds, — that Judeah shall always remain safe, and that Jerusalem shall be for a continued succession of ages. The ungodly, we know, sometimes flourish for a time, though before God they are already doomed to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joel 3:21

Verse 21 The beginning of the verse is in various ways explained. Some make a stop after cleanse thus, “I will cleanse, yet their blood I will not cleanse;” as though God had said, that he would forgive heathen nations all their other wrongs, but could not forgive them the great cruelty they had exercised against his elect. So the sense would be, “Avarice may be borne, I could pass by robberies; but, since they slew my people, I am in this case wholly unforgiving.” Hence, according to this... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 3:18-21

These verses picture Judah and Jerusalem as scenes of most abundant blessings, while Egypt and Edom are doomed to irretrievable barrenness and desolation. But, as the language must be understood figuratively, the prosperity of the Lord's laud is set in contrast with the countries of the world-powers; but the contrast includes, as we think, the allotments of eternity as well as the destinies of time. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 3:18-21

The promise of plenty. These verses contain the concluding promises of the closing chapter of this book of Scripture. I. THERE IS THE PROMISE OF PLENTY . Some understand the whole of this verse as referring to spiritual blessings, especially in millennial times. "But though the prophecy belongs eminently to one time, the imagery describes the fulness of spiritual blessings which God at all times diffuses in and through the Church; and these blessings, he says, shall... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 3:18-21

The millennium era. "And it shall come to pass in that day," etc. This passage begins with a splendid representation of the glorious prosperity which shall attend the people of God after the destruction of all their enemies. Whatever their application to the Jews at any period of their history, they certainly bear an application to that period foretold by prophets and sung by poets,—the millennial period. Giving it this application, observe— I. IT WILL BE AN ERA OF ... read more

Group of Brands