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:
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μεταστραφήσεται
shall be turned
G3344
μεταστραφήσεται
shall be turned
Strong's:
G3344
Word #:
3 of 20
to turn across, i.e., transmute or (figuratively) corrupt
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
4 of 20
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
σκότος
darkness
G4655
σκότος
darkness
Strong's:
G4655
Word #:
5 of 20
shadiness, i.e., obscurity (literally or figuratively)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
9 of 20
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
αἷμα
blood
G129
αἷμα
blood
Strong's:
G129
Word #:
10 of 20
blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k
ἐλθεῖν
come
G2064
ἐλθεῖν
come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
13 of 20
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡμέραν
day
G2250
ἡμέραν
day
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
15 of 20
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
κυρίου
of the Lord
G2962
κυρίου
of the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
16 of 20
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μεγάλην
that great
G3173
μεγάλην
that great
Strong's:
G3173
Word #:
18 of 20
big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)
Cross References
2 Peter 3:10But 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 8:9And 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 24:29Immediately 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:1 Thessalonians 5:2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.Malachi 4:5Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:Joel 2:1Blow 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;2 Peter 3:7But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.Mark 13:24But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,Luke 21:25And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;Joel 3:14Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
Historical Context
Prophets consistently portrayed the Day of the Lord as judgment on Israel's enemies and purification of God's people (Isaiah 2:12, Zephaniah 1:14, Malachi 4:5). Peter connects Pentecost to this day's inauguration, suggesting the church age is the period of Spirit-empowered witness before final judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Day of the Lord's dual nature - judgment and salvation - inform your evangelism's urgency?
- What comfort does the Lord's 'notable' day offer believers awaiting vindication?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The Day of the Lord - 'great and notable' (Greek 'epiphane', shining forth) - represents both terror for the impenitent and triumph for believers. This day encompasses judgment and salvation simultaneously, as seen in Christ's first advent which brought both condemnation for rejecting Jews and salvation for believing remnant. The sun turning to darkness and moon to blood symbolize the overturning of creation's order under divine judgment.