King James Version

What Does Acts 2:17 Mean?

Acts 2:17 in the King James Version says “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 yo... — study this verse from Acts chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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 · KJV


Context

15

For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.

16

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

17

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:

18

And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

19

And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
In the last days (ἐν ταῖς ἐσχάταις ἡμέραις)—Peter quotes Joel 2:28-32, interpreting Pentecost as inaugurating the eschatological age. The 'last days' span from Christ's first coming to his return, an extended epoch of Spirit outpouring. I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh signals democratization of the Spirit's presence—no longer limited to prophets, priests, and kings, but available to all believers regardless of age, gender, or status. Your sons and daughters shall prophesy fulfills Numbers 11:29's longing that 'all the LORD's people were prophets.' The Spirit's distribution enables corporate priesthood and universal witness.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Joel prophesied during a locust plague in Judah (9th century BC), promising restoration and ultimate blessing. Peter applies this to the church age, indicating Old Testament prophecies of the 'Day of the Lord' have near and far fulfillments. The Joel passage originally addressed Israel; Peter expands its application universally.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does living in the 'last days' affect your urgency about spiritual priorities?
  2. What does universal Spirit-availability mean for church structure and all-believer ministry?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 38 words
καὶ1 of 38

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἔσται2 of 38

it shall come to pass

G2071

will be

ἐν3 of 38

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ταῖς4 of 38
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐσχάταις5 of 38

the last

G2078

farthest, final (of place or time)

ἡμέραις6 of 38

days

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

λέγει7 of 38

saith

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

8 of 38
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεός9 of 38

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ἐκχεῶ10 of 38

I will pour out

G1632

to pour forth; figuratively, to bestow

ἀπὸ11 of 38

of

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

τοῦ12 of 38
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πνεύματός13 of 38

Spirit

G4151

a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin

μου14 of 38

my

G3450

of me

ἐπὶ15 of 38

upon

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

πᾶσαν16 of 38

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

σάρκα17 of 38

flesh

G4561

flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or

καὶ18 of 38

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

προφητεύσουσιν19 of 38

shall prophesy

G4395

to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office

οἱ20 of 38
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

υἱοὶ21 of 38

sons

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

ὑμῶν22 of 38

your

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

καὶ23 of 38

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

αἱ24 of 38
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θυγατέρες25 of 38

daughters

G2364

a female child, or (by hebraism) descendant (or inhabitant)

ὑμῶν26 of 38

your

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

καὶ27 of 38

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οἱ28 of 38
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

νεανίσκοι29 of 38

young men

G3495

a youth (under forty)

ὑμῶν30 of 38

your

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

ὁράσεις31 of 38

visions

G3706

the act of gazing, i.e., (externally) an aspect or (internally) an inspired appearance

ὄψονται32 of 38

shall see

G3700

to gaze (i.e., with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from g0991, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from g1

καὶ33 of 38

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οἱ34 of 38
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πρεσβύτεροι35 of 38

old men

G4245

older; as noun, a senior; specially, an israelite sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or christian "presbyter"

ὑμῶν36 of 38

your

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

ἐνυπνία37 of 38

shall dream

G1798

something seen in sleep, i.e., a dream (vision in a dream)

ἐνυπνιασθήσονται·38 of 38

dreams

G1797

to dream


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 2:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 2:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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