Acts 2:17
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:
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 38
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ταῖς
G3588
ταῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 38
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡμέραις
days
G2250
ἡμέραις
days
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
6 of 38
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
saith
G3004
λέγει
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
7 of 38
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
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 38
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεός
God
G2316
θεός
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
9 of 38
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἀπὸ
of
G575
ἀπὸ
of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
11 of 38
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 38
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεύματός
Spirit
G4151
πνεύματός
Spirit
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
13 of 38
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
ἐπὶ
upon
G1909
ἐπὶ
upon
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
15 of 38
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
σάρκα
flesh
G4561
σάρκα
flesh
Strong's:
G4561
Word #:
17 of 38
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
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 38
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
προφητεύσουσιν
shall prophesy
G4395
προφητεύσουσιν
shall prophesy
Strong's:
G4395
Word #:
19 of 38
to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 38
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱοὶ
sons
G5207
υἱοὶ
sons
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
21 of 38
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
23 of 38
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αἱ
G3588
αἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 38
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θυγατέρες
daughters
G2364
θυγατέρες
daughters
Strong's:
G2364
Word #:
25 of 38
a female child, or (by hebraism) descendant (or inhabitant)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
27 of 38
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
28 of 38
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὁράσεις
visions
G3706
ὁράσεις
visions
Strong's:
G3706
Word #:
31 of 38
the act of gazing, i.e., (externally) an aspect or (internally) an inspired appearance
ὄψονται
shall see
G3700
ὄψονται
shall see
Strong's:
G3700
Word #:
32 of 38
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
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
33 of 38
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
34 of 38
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρεσβύτεροι
old men
G4245
πρεσβύτεροι
old men
Strong's:
G4245
Word #:
35 of 38
older; as noun, a senior; specially, an israelite sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or christian "presbyter"
Cross References
Isaiah 44:3For 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:Acts 10:45And 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.)Zechariah 12:10And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.Ezekiel 11:19And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:Hebrews 1:2Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;1 Corinthians 12:28And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.Luke 3:6And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.Isaiah 66:23And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.Acts 21:9And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does living in the 'last days' affect your urgency about spiritual priorities?
- What does universal Spirit-availability mean for church structure and all-believer ministry?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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.