Acts 2 16

Acts 2:16 kjv

But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

Acts 2:16 nkjv

But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

Acts 2:16 niv

No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

Acts 2:16 esv

But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

Acts 2:16 nlt

No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel:

Acts 2 verses

Acts 2 16 Meaning

This verse serves as the immediate response by the Apostle Peter to the crowd's confusion and mockery during the Pentecost outpouring. It declares that the extraordinary spiritual phenomenon they are witnessing, the disciples speaking in tongues under divine inspiration, is not mere intoxication as some suggested but the direct and precise fulfillment of an ancient prophecy delivered by the prophet Joel. It identifies the Holy Spirit's manifestation as a definitive divine act promised centuries earlier, ushering in a new epoch of God's direct engagement with humanity.

Acts 2 16 Context

Acts 2:16 is positioned critically in Peter's Pentecost sermon, immediately following the initial bewilderment and the accusations of drunkenness directed at the Spirit-filled disciples. After asserting that it's too early for them to be drunk (Acts 2:15), Peter delivers this verse as a direct refutation of the misunderstanding and as the theological key to interpreting the event. The multi-ethnic crowd, comprised of devout Jews and proselytes from across the Roman world (Acts 2:5-11), had witnessed and heard the disciples speaking in their own native languages (Acts 2:4, 6, 8-11), praising God in a profound way that astonished many, yet baffled others to the point of cynicism. Verse 16 serves as a foundational declaration, stating unequivocally that the observed phenomenon is not chaotic human behavior but the precise and long-anticipated fulfillment of divine prophecy from the book of Joel. This transition immediately establishes a biblical framework for understanding the Spirit's outpouring, grounding a new, miraculous event within God's consistent historical plan, thereby preparing the Jewish audience for Peter's Christ-centered sermon that follows.

Acts 2 16 Word analysis

• But (ἀλλὰ, alla): A strong adversative conjunction, signifying a decisive break or contrast. Here, it functions to directly counter the accusation of drunkenness (Acts 2:13), shifting the explanation from a human misjudgment to a divine declaration. It powerfully introduces the correct interpretation.
• this (τοῦτο, touto): A demonstrative pronoun, directly pointing to the undeniable, ongoing event of the Holy Spirit's manifestation – the sound, the tongues, the praising of God. It firmly links the immediate, tangible experience with the ancient, abstract prophecy.
• is (ἐστιν, estin): The present indicative form of "to be," emphasizing the immediate, ongoing reality. It conveys that the prophecy is not something to happen in the future, nor merely something that happened in the past, but is being fulfilled now in their present experience.
• that which was spoken (τὸ ῥηθὲν, to rhēthen): This phrase functions as a substantival participle, meaning "the thing spoken" or "that which has been spoken."
  • τὸ (to): The definite article, making the participle a noun phrase, emphasizing the specific and singular fulfillment.
  • ῥηθὲν (rhēthen): An aorist passive participle from ῥέω (rheō), "to speak" or "to say." The aorist tense denotes a past, completed action, indicating that the prophecy was definitively delivered. The passive voice highlights that the prophet was a recipient, an instrument, of a message originating from God Himself.
• by (διὰ, dia): A preposition here indicating agency or means, best translated as "through." It specifies Joel as the divinely appointed conduit or instrument through whom the prophecy was delivered, underscoring the divine origin of the spoken words.
• the prophet (τοῦ προφήτου, tou prophētou): "The" definite article highlights Joel's established and recognized role. A prophētēs (προφήτης) in the biblical context is one divinely inspired to declare God's message, giving immense weight and authority to the words that follow.
• Joel (Ἰωὴλ, Iōēl): The specific name of the Old Testament prophet (whose name means "Yahweh is God"). Naming him explicitly provides immediate, verifiable scriptural authentication for Peter's audience, directing them to the precise prophetic source.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But this is": This brief opening functions as a direct, unyielding counter-statement to the crowd's derisive assessment. It forcefully asserts a new, divine perspective on the perplexing events. It shifts the discussion from human speculation to divine interpretation, preparing the audience for authoritative revelation.
• "that which was spoken by the prophet Joel": This phrase functions as Peter's primary argumentative thrust. It anchors the seemingly chaotic event squarely in the realm of ancient, divinely inspired scripture. It appeals directly to the Jewish understanding of prophetic fulfillment as evidence of God's active hand and truth, signifying that the events of Pentecost are neither random nor abnormal, but part of God's sovereign, unfolding plan pre-declared through His chosen messenger. This establishes a profound theological continuity between the Old Testament promise and the New Testament reality.

Acts 2 16 Bonus section

This verse perfectly encapsulates the New Testament hermeneutic, demonstrating how the early apostles interpreted current divine actions through the lens of Old Testament prophecy. Peter's ability to instantly recall and apply Joel's prophecy shows a deep theological grounding and recognition of God's consistent plan. This also served as a profound apologetic for the Jewish audience, confirming that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, for through Him, the long-awaited promises were being actualized. The fact that the prophecy involves the "pouring out" of the Spirit indicates divine initiative – God is the active agent in sending His Spirit.

Acts 2 16 Commentary

Acts 2:16 is the strategic pivot in Peter's seminal Pentecost sermon, transforming a scene of bewilderment and scorn into one of profound theological insight. Peter does not offer a defensive explanation but a divine one. He moves from dismissing the charge of drunkenness to asserting a powerful biblical truth: the extraordinary events they witness are the direct fulfillment of Joel's prophecy. By immediately referencing "the prophet Joel," Peter validates the Spirit's outpouring not as an anomaly but as a pre-ordained act of God, signifying the arrival of the promised "last days"—an era of universal divine indwelling and prophetic empowerment. This verse lays the essential groundwork for the subsequent exposition, connecting the current miracle to a recognized scriptural authority and establishing the narrative as one of divine fulfillment rather than mere human spontaneity or error. It powerfully demonstrates how the Old Testament promises find their climactic realization in the New Testament reality of Christ's triumph and the Spirit's empowering presence.