Acts 2:20

The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:

The sun {G2246} shall be turned {G3344} into {G1519} darkness {G4655}, and {G2532} the moon {G4582} into {G1519} blood {G129}, before {G2228}{G4250} that great {G3173} and {G2532} notable {G2016} day {G2250} of the Lord {G2962} come {G2064}:

The sun will become dark
and the moon blood
before the great and fearful Day of Adonai comes.

The sun will be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the coming of the great and glorious Day of the Lord.

The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the day of the Lord come, That great and notable day:

Commentary

Acts 2:20 is a powerful prophetic declaration, quoted by the Apostle Peter during his sermon on the Day of Pentecost. This verse, originally from the prophet Joel, describes dramatic cosmic disturbances that precede "that great and notable day of the Lord."

Context

Peter's sermon in Acts 2 explains the miraculous outpouring of the Holy Spirit witnessed by the crowds in Jerusalem. He asserts that these events are not mere drunkenness, but the fulfillment of prophecy spoken by Joel (specifically Joel 2:28-32). Acts 2:20, therefore, serves as a crucial link between the immediate spiritual manifestations and the broader eschatological expectations of Israel regarding the coming "Day of the Lord" – a significant theme throughout Old Testament prophecy.

Key Themes

  • Prophetic Fulfillment: The verse underscores God's faithfulness in bringing His prophetic words to pass. While the immediate context points to the Spirit's outpouring, the cosmic signs point to a future, ultimate fulfillment of Joel's prophecy, leading to the climactic Day of the Lord.
  • Cosmic Signs of Judgment: "The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood" are vivid, apocalyptic images. These are symbolic of profound disruption and divine intervention, often signaling a time of judgment and upheaval. Similar imagery is used by Jesus when speaking of the signs preceding His return and also appears in the book of Revelation regarding end-time events.
  • The "Day of the Lord": This phrase, Yom Yahweh in Hebrew (from Joel) and hēmera Kyriou in Greek (in Acts), refers to a specific time when God decisively intervenes in human history, often bringing judgment upon the wicked and salvation to His people. Peter uses this prophecy to urge his listeners to repentance and salvation (Acts 2:21).

Linguistic Insights

The term "notable" in KJV for "that great and notable day of the Lord" comes from the Greek word epiphanēs. This word means 'manifest,' 'conspicuous,' 'splendid,' or 'renowned.' It emphasizes that this coming day will not be hidden or subtle, but rather a profoundly significant and unmistakable display of God's power and presence, both in judgment and salvation.

Practical Application

Acts 2:20 reminds believers of the certainty of God's prophetic word and the ultimate culmination of history in the Day of the Lord. It calls for a sober recognition of future judgment and a living hope in God's salvation. Understanding these signs encourages spiritual readiness, repentance, and sharing the good news, knowing that the time of the Lord's return is appointed and will be preceded by clear, divine indicators.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Peter 3:10 (10 votes)

    But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

  • Amos 8:9 (10 votes)

    And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day:

  • Matthew 24:29 (8 votes)

    Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

  • Malachi 4:5 (7 votes)

    Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:2 (7 votes)

    For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

  • Joel 2:1 (6 votes)

    ¶ Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for [it is] nigh at hand;

  • Joel 3:14 (5 votes)

    Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD [is] near in the valley of decision.