Acts 2:16

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G235} this {G5124} is {G2076} that which was spoken {G2046} by {G1223} the prophet {G4396} Joel {G2493};

Complete Jewish Bible

No, this is what was spoken about through the prophet Yo’el:

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

but this is that which hath been spoken through the prophet Joel:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Acts 2:16, the Apostle Peter stands before a bewildered multitude on the Day of Pentecost, offering a definitive explanation for the miraculous phenomena they are witnessing. As disciples, empowered by the Holy Spirit, speak in diverse languages, some onlookers mockingly attribute their behavior to drunkenness. Peter seizes this pivotal moment to declare with conviction that these extraordinary events are not random or chaotic, but rather the precise and long-awaited fulfillment of ancient prophecy, specifically the words spoken by the prophet Joel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 2:16 serves as the crucial interpretive hinge in Peter's inaugural sermon on the Day of Pentecost. Immediately preceding this verse, the narrative describes the dramatic outpouring of the Holy Spirit, characterized by the sound of a mighty rushing wind and the appearance of tongues of fire resting on each disciple, enabling them to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance ([Acts 2:2-4](/acts/2-2-4 "The Coming of the Holy Spirit")). This astonishing display draws a vast crowd, many of whom are devout Jews from every nation, leading to confusion, amazement, and even mockery, with some accusing the disciples of being drunk ([Acts 2:5-13](/acts/2-5-13 "The Crowd's Reaction to Pentecost")). Peter's declaration in verse 16 directly addresses this confusion and accusation, shifting the narrative from a description of the event to its authoritative theological interpretation. It sets the stage for his subsequent, extensive quotation of Joel's prophecy, establishing a direct link between the present miraculous reality and God's ancient, unfolding plan.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Acts 2 unfold in Jerusalem during the Jewish festival of Pentecost, known in Hebrew as Shavuot. This festival, celebrated fifty days after Passover, commemorated the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai and was also a harvest festival, drawing Jews from across the Roman world to Jerusalem. The diverse linguistic background of the crowd, noted in [Acts 2:9-11](/acts/2-9-11 "Nations Represented at Pentecost"), is crucial, as it highlights the miraculous nature of the disciples' speaking in "other tongues" that are intelligible to these foreign visitors. The expectation of prophetic fulfillment was deeply ingrained in Jewish thought, particularly concerning the coming of the Messiah and the eschatological outpouring of God's Spirit. Peter's immediate recourse to the prophet Joel would have resonated powerfully with his Jewish audience, grounding the seemingly novel Christian phenomenon within the familiar framework of their sacred texts and divine promises.
* **Key Themes:** Peter's declaration in Acts 2:16 introduces several foundational themes that permeate the book of Acts and Christian theology. The most prominent is the **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, asserting that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost is not a random occurrence but the precise and climactic realization of God's foretold plan, specifically through the prophet Joel. This theme validates the nascent Christian movement by demonstrating its deep roots in the Old Testament and God's faithfulness to His promises. Secondly, it inaugurates the **Age of the Spirit**, signifying a new dispensation where the Holy Spirit, previously given to select individuals, is now poured out "upon all flesh" ([Acts 2:17](/acts/2-17 "Joel's Prophecy Quoted")), making His presence and power universally accessible to believers under the New Covenant. This universal availability empowers believers for witness and service, as Jesus had promised in [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Power to Witness"). Finally, the verse underscores **Divine Validation**, as the miraculous phenomena serve as undeniable signs that God is actively working, authenticating the apostles' message and directing attention away from human agency toward God's sovereign hand in orchestrating these pivotal events.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **this (Greek, _toûto'_):** (G5124) This neuter singular demonstrative pronoun emphatically points to the immediate, tangible reality unfolding before the crowd – the speaking in tongues, the sound, the fire. Peter uses it to declare that these specific, observable events are the direct object of Joel's prophecy, leaving no ambiguity about the connection. It grounds the spiritual phenomenon in a concrete, verifiable fulfillment.
* **is (Greek, _estí'_):** (G2076) This third person singular present indicative of "to be" (εἰμί) functions as a strong declaration of identity and equivalence. Peter is not suggesting a resemblance or a partial fulfillment, but a direct, unequivocal identification: "this *is* that." It conveys certainty and authority, bridging the gap between the present experience and the ancient word.
* **spoken (Greek, _eréō'_):** (G2046) This verb, meaning "to utter, speak, or say," refers to the divine utterance through the prophet Joel. The perfect passive participle indicates a past action with continuing results, emphasizing that Joel's words were divinely inspired and remain authoritative and relevant for the present moment. It highlights the prophetic origin and divine authority of the message.
* **prophet (Greek, _prophḗtēs'_):** (G4396) From a compound meaning "to speak before" or "to speak for," this term designates Joel as one who speaks by divine inspiration, either foretelling future events or speaking God's message to His people. By identifying Joel as "the prophet," Peter appeals to a recognized and respected authority within the Jewish tradition, lending immediate credibility and weight to his interpretation of the Pentecost events.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But this is":** Peter begins with a strong adversative conjunction, "But" (ἀλλά, G235), which contrasts his explanation with the crowd's mistaken assumption of drunkenness. The phrase "this is" (τοῦτο δέ ἐστιν) functions as an emphatic declaration, directly identifying the present, observable phenomena (the speaking in tongues, the sound, the fire) as the precise subject of what follows. It's a definitive statement of identity, not merely a similarity.
* **"that which was spoken":** This clause refers to the content of the divine utterance. The Greek participle (τὸ εἰρημένον) indicates something that "has been spoken" or "was said," emphasizing the past, authoritative nature of the prophecy. It highlights that the events of Pentecost are not novel or unprecedented, but are rooted in God's established word, foretold long ago.
* **"by the prophet Joel;":** This final phrase explicitly names the human instrument through whom God's word was delivered. By identifying "the prophet Joel," Peter immediately directs his Jewish audience to a specific, recognized source within their sacred scriptures, specifically the book of Joel, which he proceeds to quote in the subsequent verses. This attribution provides the necessary biblical foundation and authority for his interpretation, demonstrating that the events are part of God's unfolding redemptive plan.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 2:16 is a concise yet powerful statement, employing several key literary devices. It primarily functions as an **Allusion** and direct **Quotation Introduction**, setting the stage for Peter's extensive citation of [Joel 2:28-32](/joel/2-28-32 "Joel's Prophecy of the Spirit's Outpouring"). The phrase "But this is that which was spoken" is a **Declarative Statement** of **Fulfillment Language**, emphatically asserting a direct correspondence between the present miraculous events and ancient prophecy. This construction, often found in the New Testament, serves to validate new revelations or events by connecting them to God's established word. The use of "the prophet Joel" is a form of **Appeal to Authority**, leveraging the recognized prophetic office to lend weight and credibility to Peter's interpretation, ensuring his audience understands the divine origin and significance of what they are witnessing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 2:16 serves as a foundational theological statement, linking the dramatic outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost directly to God's ancient, unfolding redemptive plan. It underscores the divine faithfulness in bringing His promises to fruition, demonstrating that the seemingly chaotic events were, in fact, the precise and long-awaited work of God. This verse inaugurates the "last days" as prophesied by Joel, marking a new era where the Spirit is universally available, empowering all believers for witness and participation in God's mission. It establishes a pattern for understanding God's activity in history: His word precedes His work, and His work fulfills His word, thereby validating the Christian message as the culmination of divine revelation.

* [Joel 2:28](/joel/2-28 "Joel's Prophecy of the Spirit's Outpouring")
* [Luke 24:44](/luke/24-44 "Jesus Explains Prophetic Fulfillment")
* [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "God Speaks Through His Son")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 2:16 offers profound insights for believers today, reminding us that God's plan is meticulously orchestrated and unfolds precisely as He declares it in His Word. Just as the seemingly inexplicable events of Pentecost found their meaning in Joel's ancient prophecy, so too can we trust that God's promises for our lives and for the future of His church will surely come to pass. This verse calls us to cultivate a discerning spirit, recognizing that the Holy Spirit continues to work powerfully in the world, often in ways that challenge our expectations, but always in alignment with the revealed truth of Scripture. It invites us to embrace the Spirit's empowering presence, understanding that the same Spirit who enabled the early apostles to bear witness is available to equip us for service, evangelism, and living out our faith in a world that desperately needs to see God's truth. Our task is to understand the "this" of our present experience in light of the "that which was spoken" in God's eternal Word.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Peter's immediate appeal to prophecy in Acts 2:16 inform our understanding of how God reveals His purposes?**
* **In what ways might we, like the crowd on Pentecost, misinterpret or dismiss God's work in the world today due to a lack of biblical understanding?**
* **How does knowing that the Holy Spirit's outpouring was a fulfillment of prophecy strengthen your trust in God's faithfulness to His promises for your life?**
* **What "this" in your life or in the church today might God be explaining through "that which was spoken" in His Word?**

### FAQ

**Why was it important for Peter to immediately quote an Old Testament prophet?**

Answer: It was critically important for Peter to immediately quote an Old Testament prophet, specifically Joel, for several reasons. First, it provided an authoritative, God-given explanation for the extraordinary events of Pentecost. Without such a divine framework, the speaking in tongues and other phenomena could be dismissed as mere drunkenness, madness, or a chaotic display. By grounding the events in ancient prophecy, Peter demonstrated that they were not random but were part of God's predetermined plan. Second, it validated the Christian message and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit within the established theological framework of Judaism. Peter's audience was primarily Jewish, and their understanding of God's work was deeply rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures. Showing that the events were a fulfillment of Joel's prophecy connected the new Christian reality to their sacred traditions and God's covenant faithfulness, making it more understandable and acceptable. This approach established continuity between the Old Covenant promises and the New Covenant reality, presenting Jesus as the culmination of God's redemptive history.

**What does "this is that" truly signify in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "this is that" (Greek: τοῦτο δέ ἐστιν) is a powerful and emphatic declaration of direct identity and fulfillment. It signifies that the specific, observable events occurring at Pentecost – the sound of a rushing wind, the tongues of fire, and the disciples speaking in various languages – are not merely similar to, or a partial echo of, Joel's prophecy. Rather, Peter asserts that these present realities *are* the very thing Joel foretold. It leaves no room for doubt or alternative interpretations. It's a statement of precise correspondence, indicating that God's ancient word has found its exact and climactic realization in the present moment. This declaration serves to authenticate the events as divine acts and to establish the authority of the apostles' interpretation, directly linking the New Testament experience to the Old Testament promise.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 2:16, by declaring the outpouring of the Holy Spirit as the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy, points profoundly to Christ as the central figure of God's redemptive plan. While Joel's prophecy foretold a general outpouring of the Spirit, its ultimate fulfillment on Pentecost is inextricably linked to Jesus of Nazareth. It is Jesus, exalted to the right hand of God, who "received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit and has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing" ([Acts 2:33](/acts/2-33 "Peter's Sermon: Jesus Pours Out the Spirit")). The Spirit's coming, therefore, is not an independent event but the promised gift from the ascended Christ, the "other Helper" whom Jesus promised to send to His disciples after His departure ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "The Holy Spirit, the Helper")). The Spirit's work, as revealed throughout the New Testament, is to glorify Christ, bear witness to Him, and empower believers to be His witnesses ([John 15:26](/john/15-26 "The Spirit of Truth Bears Witness to Jesus"); [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Power to Witness")). Thus, the "this" of the Spirit's outpouring on Pentecost is "that which was spoken by the prophet Joel," but it is ultimately "that which was accomplished and sent by the resurrected Christ," establishing His new covenant people and empowering them for His global mission. The Spirit's presence is the very seal of our redemption in Christ ([Ephesians 1:13-14](/ephesians/1-13-14 "Sealed with the Holy Spirit")), making the age of the Spirit truly the age of Christ's reign.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Joel 2:28

¶ And it shall come to pass afterward, [that] I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

Joel 2:32

And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.