Acts 2:16-17
What is written? (ESV)
But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: 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;
What does it say?
This is what the prophet Joel had prophesied about, that in the last days God would pour His Spirit out on all flesh and people would prophesy, see visions and have dreams.
What is its immediate context?
Peter is preaching on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. The people had just witnessed a “rushing wind” and “tongues as of fire” resting on them (vss 2,3). What they witnessed, Peter describes as a fulfillment of Joel’s prophesy and quotes directly from (Joel 2:28-32).
How Acts 2:16-17 is applied across Bible answers
What is the day of the Lord?
Peter, an inspired writer, quotes and directly applies Joel's prophecy1 to that day (the day of Pentecost) and the New Covenant period.
When are the Christian last days?
Peter, an inspired writer, is interpreting a prophesy from Joel (2:28-32) and in so doing he declares that day (the day of Pentecost) as the ushering in of "the last days" prophesied by Joel. He says that they were witnesses of the pouring out of the Spirit on all flesh.
