Acts 2:16–21

Context

On the Day of Pentecost, when the disciples in Jerusalem received the Holy Spirit and spoke in the languages of many nations, some onlookers mocked them, saying, "These men are full of new wine" (Acts 2:13). Peter replies that they are not drunk, since it is only "the third hour of the day," that is, nine o'clock in the morning. He then explains the event as the fulfillment of the prophecy recorded in Joel 2:28–32. This quotation forms the opening section of Peter's sermon in Acts 2. The sermon goes on to proclaim the death and resurrection of Jesus and concludes with a call to repent and be baptized (2:38). In quoting Joel, Peter changes Joel's "afterward" to "in the last days" and adds "and they shall prophesy" at the end of verse 18.

Interpretation

• A reading shared across denominations: The Spirit is no longer given only to a few prophets or leaders but is poured out "upon all flesh," regardless of sex, age, or social status. On this reading, the passage announces the dawn of a new age. Verse 21 declares that salvation is open to "whosoever" calls on the name of the Lord.
• Pentecostal and charismatic reading: Pentecostal and charismatic churches emphasize that the promise is given "unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off" (2:39). They therefore hold that baptism in the Holy Spirit and gifts such as prophecy and speaking in tongues continue today.
• Reformed cessationist reading: Cessationists in the Reformed tradition regard Pentecost as a once-for-all event in redemptive history (the history of God's saving work). In their view, Pentecost inaugurated the new covenant age, and revelatory gifts such as prophecy ceased with the apostolic age. Some within the same tradition, however, hold that the gifts continue.
• Dispensationalist reading: Dispensationalism holds that the prophecy was partially fulfilled at Pentecost. It interprets the signs in the sun and moon in verses 19–20 as literal events that will occur just before the Second Coming. Other interpreters, by contrast, read this section as the symbolic language of apocalyptic literature or connect it with the darkness at the crucifixion (Luke 23:44–45).

Debates and Issues

• Continuation of the gifts: In the cessationism and continuationism debate, continuationists frequently cite this passage as key evidence.
• Women in ministry: The Korean Revised Version renders the phrase as "children," but the Greek reads "sons and daughters." Supporters of women's ordination point to the statement that daughters and "handmaidens" will also prophesy. Opponents argue that prophesying is not the same as holding an office of teaching and governing in the church.
• Textual issues: Peter's quotation generally follows the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament). Some manuscripts (including Codex Vaticanus) are reported to read "after these things" in verse 17, as in Joel, rather than "in the last days." Most modern critical editions, however, adopt "in the last days."

In the Korean Church

• The passage is frequently used as a sermon text for Pentecost Sunday. The Revised Common Lectionary (RCL), used by many churches, also assigns Acts 2:1–21 as a reading for Pentecost.
• It is a favorite text in Pentecostal churches, Holy Spirit rallies, and revival meetings.
• Verse 21, together with Romans 10:13, is used in evangelism to extend the invitation to salvation.

Related Passages

• Joel 2:28–32
• Numbers 11:29
• Acts 2:38–39
• Romans 10:13
• 1 Corinthians 14:1–5