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:

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} it shall come to pass {G2071} in {G1722} the last {G2078} days {G2250}, saith {G3004} God {G2316}, I will pour out {G1632} of {G575} my {G3450} Spirit {G4151} upon {G1909} all {G3956} flesh {G4561}: and {G2532} your {G5216} sons {G5207} and {G2532} your {G5216} daughters {G2364} shall prophesy {G4395}, and {G2532} your {G5216} young men {G3495} shall see {G3700} visions {G3706}, and {G2532} your {G5216} old men {G4245} shall dream {G1798} dreams {G1797}:

Complete Jewish Bible

‘Adonai says:
“In the Last Days,
I will pour out from my Spirit upon everyone.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.

Berean Standard Bible

‘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.

American Standard Version

And it shall be in the last days, saith God, I will pour forth 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:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 2:17 is a foundational declaration by the Apostle Peter on the Day of Pentecost, quoting the prophet Joel to explain the miraculous outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This pivotal verse marks the inauguration of the "last days" – the Messianic era – characterized by God's Spirit being poured out universally upon all believers, empowering them for divine communication through prophecy, visions, and dreams, thereby fulfilling ancient promises and signaling a new epoch in salvation history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 2:17 is the opening statement of Peter's sermon, delivered immediately after the dramatic events of Pentecost, where the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other tongues ([Acts 2:1-4](/acts/2-1-4 "The Day of Pentecost")). The crowd, composed of devout Jews from every nation, was bewildered and some even mocked, accusing the disciples of drunkenness ([Acts 2:12-13](/acts/2-12-13 "Reactions to the Pentecost Outpouring")). Peter, standing with the eleven, seizes this moment to provide a theological explanation for the phenomenon, asserting that what they witnessed was not intoxication but the direct fulfillment of God's ancient promise, specifically quoting from [Joel 2:28-32](/joel/2-28-32 "Joel's Prophecy of the Spirit's Outpouring"). This quote serves as the scriptural anchor for his entire sermon, which then pivots to the resurrection and exaltation of Jesus Christ.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem during the Feast of Pentecost (Shavuot), one of the three major pilgrimage festivals, which traditionally celebrated the harvest and, by the first century, commemorated the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. This feast drew Jews and proselytes from across the Roman Empire and beyond, making Jerusalem a melting pot of languages and cultures. For centuries, the Jewish people had experienced a period of prophetic silence, with no new prophetic word from God since Malachi. The expectation of the Messiah, and with Him a renewed outpouring of God's Spirit, was a deeply held hope. The events of Pentecost, therefore, represented a radical departure from the norm, signifying a new phase of God's interaction with humanity, moving beyond the confines of a specific nation or a select few to a broader, more inclusive manifestation of His presence.
* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several profound themes central to the book of Acts and Christian theology. Firstly, it highlights the **fulfillment of prophecy**, demonstrating that God's ancient promises are being realized in the present moment through the work of the Holy Spirit. Secondly, it inaugurates the concept of the **"last days,"** not as the immediate end of the world, but as the Messianic era, the period between Christ's first and second comings, characterized by the Spirit's active presence and the spread of the Gospel ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "The Great Commission")). Thirdly, it emphasizes the **universal outpouring of the Spirit** "upon all flesh," a revolutionary idea that breaks down traditional barriers of age, gender, and social status, foreshadowing the radical inclusivity of the New Covenant where all believers are empowered ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Equality in Christ")). Finally, it underscores the theme of **divine communication and empowerment**, as the Spirit enables believers to "prophesy," "see visions," and "dream dreams," signifying a direct and personal engagement with God's revelation and truth.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **pour out (Greek, _ekchéō'_):** From the verb meaning "to pour forth" or "to bestow," this term signifies an abundant, generous, and unrestrained giving. It evokes the image of a lavish, overflowing supply, emphasizing the magnitude and freeness of God's gift of the Holy Spirit. It's not a measured trickle but a flood, indicating a new, unprecedented era of the Spirit's presence.
* **last (Greek, _éschatos'_):** A superlative term meaning "farthest" or "final," used here in the context of time. When combined with "days," it refers to the ultimate, decisive period of salvation history. For Peter, this doesn't mean the immediate cessation of time, but the inauguration of the Messianic age, the climactic era of God's redemptive plan that began with Christ's death and resurrection and will culminate in His return. It signifies the final dispensation before the eternal state.
* **Spirit (Greek, _pneûma'_):** This word denotes a "current of air," "breath," or "breeze," and by analogy, a "spirit." In this context, it refers specifically to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. It represents the divine, life-giving presence and power of God, actively working within believers to empower, guide, and transform them, enabling them to fulfill God's purposes and communicate His truth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God,"**: This opening clause establishes the divine authority and prophetic fulfillment of the events unfolding. Peter asserts that the current phenomena are not random but are the preordained signs of a new, climactic era in God's redemptive plan, directly declared by God Himself. The "last days" signify the Messianic age, inaugurated by Christ's first coming and extending until His return.
* **"I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh:"**: This is the central promise, highlighting the lavish and universal nature of the Spirit's outpouring. "All flesh" signifies a radical inclusivity, encompassing all people regardless of their social standing, gender, or age, a stark contrast to the Old Testament where the Spirit typically came upon select individuals for specific tasks. This indicates a new covenant reality where the Spirit is broadly available.
* **"and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,"**: This clause specifies the first manifestation of the Spirit's work: prophecy. Crucially, it includes both "sons and daughters," breaking down gender barriers in divine communication. Prophecy here refers to the inspired forth-telling of God's truth, which can include teaching, exhortation, and sometimes foretelling future events, all under the direct influence of the Holy Spirit.
* **"and your young men shall see visions,"**: The second manifestation involves "visions," supernatural insights or revelations given by God, often in a waking state. This highlights that God communicates not only through spoken word but also through visual revelation, and that this form of divine insight is accessible to the younger generation.
* **"and your old men shall dream dreams:"**: The third manifestation is "dreams," divine communications received during sleep. This demonstrates that God's revelation extends to all age groups, including the elderly, and can occur through various means, even in the subconscious state of dreaming. Together, these three manifestations underscore the diverse ways God communicates with and through His people in the age of the Spirit.

#### Literary Devices
The verse prominently employs **Allusion**, directly quoting the prophet Joel, which immediately grounds the Pentecost events in Old Testament prophecy and divine continuity. This reinforces the idea that what is happening is not new or chaotic, but a long-anticipated act of God. There is also clear **Parallelism** and **Inclusivity** in the listing of "sons and daughters," "young men," and "old men." This structure emphasizes the universal scope of the Spirit's outpouring, breaking down traditional social, age, and gender distinctions that might have limited divine communication in previous eras. The phrase "pour out" functions as a powerful **Metaphor**, depicting the Holy Spirit as a liquid, generously and abundantly flowing, signifying the lavishness and overwhelming nature of God's gift.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 2:17 is a pivotal theological statement, marking a profound shift in salvation history. It signals the inauguration of the New Covenant era, where the Holy Spirit, previously given to select individuals for specific tasks, is now universally poured out upon all believers, regardless of their background. This democratic distribution of the Spirit is a hallmark of the "last days," empowering the church to be God's prophetic voice in the world and enabling direct, personal communion with God through various forms of divine communication. It underscores God's desire for a deeply intimate and active relationship with all His children, fulfilling promises made centuries before.

* [Joel 2:28-32](/joel/2-28-32 "Joel's Prophecy of the Spirit's Outpouring")
* [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26-27 "The Promise of a New Heart and Spirit")
* [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Equality in Christ through Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 2:17 reminds us that we live in a unique and privileged time—the age of the Holy Spirit's abundant outpouring. This verse calls us to recognize and embrace the active presence of the Spirit in our lives and in the collective life of the church. It challenges us to move beyond a passive understanding of faith, encouraging us to seek and yield to the Spirit's empowerment for witness, service, and understanding of God's truth. Whether young or old, male or female, God desires to use each believer as a vessel for His divine communication, whether through prophetic utterance, visionary insight, or revelatory dreams. This should inspire us to cultivate a listening heart, to be open to the Spirit's leading, and to boldly proclaim the Gospel, knowing that the same Spirit who empowered the early church is at work in us today, enabling us to participate in God's ongoing mission in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the "last days" as the current Messianic era change your perspective on daily life and spiritual urgency?**
* **In what ways do you believe the Holy Spirit is "pouring out" Himself upon "all flesh" in our world today?**
* **How can you personally cultivate a greater openness to receiving divine communication through prophecy, visions, or dreams, as described in this verse?**
* **What barriers (personal, cultural, or denominational) might hinder the full expression of the Spirit's gifts in the church today, and how can they be overcome?**

### FAQ
**What does "the last days" mean in Acts 2:17?**

Answer: In Acts 2:17, "the last days" (Greek: _eschatais hemerais_) does not refer to the immediate end of the world, but rather to the inauguration of the Messianic era, the final decisive period of salvation history. Peter declares that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost marks the beginning of this new epoch, which commenced with Christ's first coming (His death, resurrection, and ascension) and will culminate in His second coming. It signifies that God's ultimate plan of redemption is now actively unfolding, characterized by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit among His people. This period is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning a new covenant and a renewed relationship with God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 2:17, a direct quote from Joel, finds its ultimate and profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the central event of Pentecost, is directly linked to Christ's glorification and ascension. It is Jesus, the exalted Lord, who pours out the Spirit, as Peter explicitly states later in his sermon: "Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear" ([Acts 2:33](/acts/2-33 "Jesus Exalted and the Spirit Poured Out")). The Spirit's arrival is the promised gift from the Father, mediated through the Son ([John 14:16-17](/john/14-16-17 "The Promise of the Holy Spirit")). This outpouring signifies the commencement of the New Covenant, inaugurated by Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection, where the Law is now written on hearts by the Spirit ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "The New Covenant")). The Spirit empowers "all flesh" to prophesy, see visions, and dream dreams, enabling believers to bear witness to Christ's saving work and to participate in His ongoing mission, making His presence known throughout the world until His return ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "The Great Commission")). Thus, the Spirit's presence is a tangible manifestation of Christ's continued reign and His ongoing work through His church.

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.

Isaiah 44:3

For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:

Titus 3:4

But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

Titus 3:6

Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

Acts 10:45

And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

John 7:39

(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet [given]; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)