Acts 2 17

Acts 2:17 kjv

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:

Acts 2:17 nkjv

'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams.

Acts 2:17 niv

"?'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.

Acts 2:17 esv

"'And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams;

Acts 2:17 nlt

'In the last days,' God says,
'I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
Your young men will see visions,
and your old men will dream dreams.

Acts 2 verses

Acts 2 17 Meaning

Acts 2:17 declares a pivotal moment in God's redemptive plan: the prophesied outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Peter, referencing Joel 2:28-32, announces that the phenomenon observed at Pentecost – believers speaking in tongues – is a direct fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy concerning the "last days." This outpouring is presented as universal in scope, affecting "all flesh," and manifested through various forms of divine revelation, including prophecy, visions, and dreams, encompassing people of all ages and genders. It signifies the commencement of a new covenant era marked by the indwelling and empowering presence of God's Spirit in His people.

Acts 2 17 Context

Acts 2:17 is a cornerstone of Peter's sermon on the Day of Pentecost. Following the dramatic descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles and other believers (Acts 2:1-4), accompanied by sounds like a mighty rushing wind and tongues of fire, they began to speak in various languages, leading to confusion and ridicule from the crowd (Acts 2:5-13). Some accused them of being drunk. Peter stands up, and his address serves as an authoritative explanation of these unprecedented events. He begins by declaring that what the crowd is witnessing is not drunkenness, but the direct fulfillment of the prophet Joel's ancient prediction (Joel 2:28-32). By quoting Joel, Peter connects the immediate, sensational experience of Pentecost to God's long-foretold eschatological plan, presenting it as the inauguration of "the last days" where God's Spirit would be poured out universally.

Acts 2 17 Word analysis

• And it shall come to pass (καὶ ἔσται - kai estai): Derived from the Greek verb eimi (to be), estai is the future indicative of "to be." It conveys divine certainty and determination. It is a declarative statement that what follows is an inevitable, divinely ordained event.
• in the last days (ἐν ταῖς ἐσχάταις ἡμέραις - en tais eschatais hēmerais): Eschatos means "last" or "final." This phrase signifies a new epoch, marking the arrival of the eschatological age, often referred to as the "age to come." For Peter and the early church, Pentecost initiated this long-anticipated era of the Messiah, which stretches until Christ's second coming. It contrasts with "afterward" (ἀχαρ - achár) in Joel, signaling the Messianic era.
• saith God (λέγει ὁ Θεός - legei ho Theos): Peter's insertion; Joel's original Hebrew text says "saith the LORD" (YHWH). Peter, likely quoting the Septuagint (LXX) or giving an inspired interpretation, emphasizes the divine source of this promise. It highlights God as the sovereign initiator and dispenser of the Spirit.
• I will pour out (ἐκχεῶ - ekcheō): From ekcheo, meaning "to pour forth, shed abroad, or distribute profusely." It suggests an abundant, generous, and overflowing outpouring, not a mere sprinkling. This implies an unprecedented measure of the Spirit's presence and activity.
• of my Spirit (ἀπὸ τοῦ Πνεύματός μου - apo tou Pneumatos mou): Pneuma signifies "spirit, breath, wind." It refers specifically to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead. The "my" denotes personal possession by God, indicating this is the divine Spirit itself.
• upon all flesh (ἐπὶ πᾶσαν σάρκα - epi pasan sarka): Pas means "all, every," and sarx means "flesh, human nature." In a biblical context, "flesh" often refers to humanity in its frailty and dependence on God. Here, it denotes the universal scope of the Spirit's availability, breaking traditional boundaries: not just prophets, priests, or kings; not just Jews; but potentially all people groups, male and female, young and old. It directly challenges any prior notions of exclusivity regarding divine revelation.

Words-group Analysis:

• "it shall come to pass in the last days": This phrase marks the turning point of salvation history. Peter interprets the current event as the divinely orchestrated fulfillment of prophecy, ushering in the climactic period of God's redemptive work.
• "saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit": This declaration asserts divine authority and intentionality behind the Spirit's release. It underscores that the Holy Spirit is not merely an experience, but a Person of the Godhead given by the Father's will. The active "I will pour out" emphasizes God's generous initiative.
• "upon all flesh": This revolutionary concept signifies a radical democratization of the Spirit. No longer confined to a select few (prophets or leaders) or a specific nation (Israel), the Spirit is now available to a broad spectrum of humanity, breaking down racial, social, and gender barriers established in older covenants.
• "your sons and your daughters shall prophesy": This highlights the breaking of gender barriers. Women (daughters) are explicitly included in the charismatic activities. Prophecy, in this context, refers to inspired utterance from God, which could include preaching, teaching, foretelling, or forth-telling truth.
• "your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams": This inclusion spans all age groups, affirming that God's revelation through visions (daytime, waking experiences) and dreams (nighttime revelations) is available to both the vigor of youth and the wisdom of age. It signifies direct, experiential encounters with the divine for all believers.

Acts 2 17 Bonus section

The Spirit's outpouring "upon all flesh" is a radical theological shift, indicating a reversal of humanity's condition following the fall (where "My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh" Gen 6:3). Now, instead of withdrawal, the Spirit is given universally. While "all flesh" initially encompassed Jewish believers (as present at Pentecost), its ultimate theological reach was confirmed in the outpouring on Gentiles (Acts 10, 11), indicating that divine favoritism by birthright or nation ended with the New Covenant's commencement. The continuity between the prophetic promises of the Old Testament and their fulfillment in the New Testament is paramount to Peter's argument, establishing the authority of the Christian message and the Person of Christ as the fulfillment of all God's promises. Peter's sermon is an apostolic example of interpreting contemporary events through the lens of ancient Scripture, showcasing a hermeneutical method foundational to Christian understanding.

Acts 2 17 Commentary

Acts 2:17 serves as the prophetic lens through which Peter interprets the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. By quoting Joel, Peter validates the extraordinary events as a divine fulfillment, directly countering accusations of drunkenness. The phrase "in the last days" is crucial; it does not refer to a distant future apocalyptic scenario but marks the inauguration of the Messianic age through Jesus' resurrection and ascension. This new epoch, which commenced at Pentecost, is characterized by God making His Spirit universally available, "upon all flesh." This phrase dismantles traditional exclusivity; the Spirit is no longer limited to an elite few or a specific people, nor to a particular gender or age group.

The manifestation through prophecy, visions, and dreams emphasizes a broad participation in divine revelation and communication. Prophecy is not solely foretelling, but speaking God's word under inspiration, empowering ordinary believers to articulate divine truth for conviction and edification. Visions and dreams indicate direct divine encounters, highlighting God's intention for His people to have intimate and personal experiences with Him. This profound democratization of the Spirit empowers believers from all walks of life for witness, service, and revelation, underscoring the New Covenant's inclusiveness and the priesthood of all believers. It transforms God's relationship with humanity, moving from mediated encounters to direct Spirit-empowered access for all who believe.

• Example: A young person, feeling uncertain about their life's direction, has a vivid dream guiding them to a specific ministry opportunity, echoing "young men shall see visions."
• Example: An elderly church member, despite physical frailty, is continually used to speak words of comfort and profound insight, demonstrating "old men shall dream dreams" in a spiritual sense or providing prophecy.
• Example: Daughters and sons leading Bible studies or sharing powerful testimonies in the church and community, displaying "sons and daughters shall prophesy" through inspired witness.