Acts 2:16 Meaning and Explanation
“But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Peter declares that the event before their eyes is exactly what the prophet Joel foretold.
What Does Acts 2:16 Mean?
With one sentence Peter turns the morning's wonder into the fulfillment of Scripture. Centuries earlier, Joel had promised an outpouring of the Spirit of God; Peter announces that the promise has arrived: this is that.
These words give the church its first lesson in reading the present by the prophets. What looks unprecedented to the crowd has been on the calendar of God for centuries. Scripture and event interpret each other — the prophecy explains the experience, and the experience proves the prophecy true. When God acts, he is keeping his word; and those who know his word are the first to recognize his hand.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 2:16
What does Acts 2:16 mean?
Peter declares that the event before their eyes is exactly what the prophet Joel foretold.