Acts 2:17

Authorized King James Version

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:

Word-by-Word Analysis

καὶ

G2532

And

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

ἔσται

G2071

it shall come to pass

will be

ἐν

G1722

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

ταῖς

G3588

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

ἐσχάταις

G2078

the last

farthest, final (of place or time)

ἡμέραις

G2250

days

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

λέγει

G3004

saith

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

ὁ

G3588

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

θεός

G2316

God

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

#10

ἐκχεῶ

G1632

I will pour out

to pour forth; figuratively, to bestow

#11

ἀπὸ

G575

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

#12

τοῦ

G3588

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

#13

πνεύματός

G4151

Spirit

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

#14

μου

G3450

of me

#15

ἐπὶ

G1909

upon

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

#16

πᾶσαν

G3956

all

all, any, every, the whole

#17

σάρκα

G4561

flesh

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

#18

καὶ

G2532

And

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

#19

προφητεύσουσιν

G4395

shall prophesy

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

#20

οἱ

G3588

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

#21

υἱοὶ

G5207

sons

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

#22

ὑμῶν

G5216

your

of (from or concerning) you

#23

καὶ

G2532

And

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

#24

αἱ

G3588

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

#25

θυγατέρες

G2364

daughters

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

#26

ὑμῶν

G5216

your

of (from or concerning) you

#27

καὶ

G2532

And

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

#28

οἱ

G3588

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

#29

νεανίσκοι

G3495

young men

a youth (under forty)

#30

ὑμῶν

G5216

your

of (from or concerning) you

#31

ὁράσεις

G3706

visions

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

#32

ὄψονται

G3700

shall see

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

#33

καὶ

G2532

And

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

#34

οἱ

G3588

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

#35

πρεσβύτεροι

G4245

old men

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

#36

ὑμῶν

G5216

your

of (from or concerning) you

#37

ἐνυπνία

G1798

shall dream

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

#38

ἐνυπνιασθήσονται·

G1797

dreams

to dream

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Acts. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

How does this verse's literary context within Acts chapter 2 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?

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