Textual Analysis of Acts 2:17

 

Textual Analysis of Acts 2:17

This report provides a textual analysis of Acts 2:17, a pivotal verse in Peter's Pentecost sermon. The analysis incorporates an examination of its Old Testament origins, textual features, key lexical items, grammatical structure, and its role within the broader biblical narrative.

I. Context and Old Testament Origin:

• Immediate Context: Acts 2:17 appears within Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14-41). The disciples had been filled with the Holy Spirit and were speaking in other tongues (Acts 2:1-4). Some observers were perplexed, while others mocked, accusing the disciples of being drunk (Acts 2:12-13). Peter stands to address the crowd, explaining that the events they were witnessing were a fulfillment of prophecy.
• Old Testament Quotation: Acts 2:17 is a direct quotation from the prophet Joel 2:28 (which corresponds to Joel 3:1 in some Hebrew Masoretic Text enumerations and the Septuagint/LXX). Peter quotes an extended passage from Joel 2:28-32 (LXX: Joel 3:1-5a), which is found in Acts 2:17-21.
• Purpose of Quotation: Peter uses this prophecy to explain that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the accompanying manifestations (like speaking in tongues) are not signs of drunkenness but are, in fact, a demonstration of God's activity in "the last days," as foretold by Joel.

II. Greek Text of Acts 2:17:

• The Greek text of Acts 2:17 according to the SBL Greek New Testament is:
  • Καὶ ἔσται ἐν ταῖς ἐσχάταις ἡμέραις, λέγει ὁ θεός, ἐκχεῶ ἀπὸ τοῦ πνεύματός μου ἐπὶ πᾶσαν σάρκα, καὶ προφητεύσουσιν οἱ υἱοὶ ὑμῶν καὶ αἱ θυγατέρες ὑμῶν, καὶ οἱ νεανίσκοι ὑμῶν ὁράσεις ὄψονται, καὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι ὑμῶν ἐνυπνίοις ἐνυπνιασθήσονται·¹
• English Translation (NIV): "'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams."²

III. Textual Features and Comparison with Joel:

• Primary Source for Quotation: Peter's quotation in Acts generally aligns more closely with the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Old Testament, than the Hebrew Masoretic Text (MT). This was common practice for New Testament writers.
• Significant Alterations by Luke (the author of Acts) from Joel:
  • "ἐν ταῖς ἐσχάταις ἡμέραις" (en tais eschatais hēmerais - "in the last days"): This phrase is a significant Lukan introduction. The LXX of Joel 3:1 (2:28 MT) reads "μετὰ ταῦτα" (meta tauta - "after these things"). Luke's use of "in the last days" (drawing possibly from Isaiah 2:2 or similar eschatological texts) explicitly frames the Pentecost event within an eschatological—end times—context, signaling the inauguration of a new era.
  • "λέγει ὁ θεός" (legei ho a - "God says"): Luke inserts this phrase, emphasizing the divine authority and direct speech of God in the prophecy. This is not explicitly present in the same position in the LXX or MT of Joel.
  • Order of "young men" and "old men": In Joel 2:28 (LXX & MT), "old men shall dream dreams" appears before "your young men shall see visions." Luke reverses this order in Acts 2:17: "your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams." The significance of this inversion is debated by scholars, with some suggesting it might be for stylistic reasons or to emphasize the active role of the younger generation in the new era of the Spirit.
  • "ἐκχεῶ ἀπὸ τοῦ πνεύματός μου" (ekcheō apo tou pneumatos mou - "I will pour out from My Spirit"): The use of "ἀπὸ" (apo - "from" or "some of") suggests a portion or gift of the Spirit, rather than the entirety of God's Spirit. The LXX of Joel 3:1 has "ἐκχεῶ ἀπὸ τοῦ πνεύματός μου" as well, while the MT implies "My Spirit."
• Textual Variants within Acts 2:17 Manuscripts: Major critical editions of the Greek New Testament (like Nestle-Aland or UBS) show a high degree of stability for the text of Acts 2:17 itself, with the primary textual discussion revolving around Luke's rendering of the Joel passage.

IV. Lexical Analysis of Key Terms:

• "ἐσχάταις ἡμέραις" (eschatais hēmerais - in the last days): This is a significant eschatological term. In Jewish thought, it referred to the final period of history, often associated with the coming of the Messiah and the age of salvation and judgment. Peter's use indicates that the events of Pentecost mark the beginning of this long-awaited era.
• "ἐκχεῶ" (ekcheō - I will pour out): This verb depicts a generous and abundant giving. It is used in the LXX for the outpouring of God's Spirit and often carries the sense of a lavish bestowal.
• "πνεύματός" (pneumatos - Spirit): Refers to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. The prophecy emphasizes the universal availability of the Spirit, not limited to specific individuals like prophets or kings as often seen in the Old Testament.
• "πᾶσαν σάρκα" (pasan sarka - on all flesh/all people): This phrase signifies universality. While in its original Joel context it likely referred to all within the community of Israel, Peter, under the guidance of the Spirit (as later clarified in Acts, e.g., Acts 10-11 concerning Gentiles), applies it in a way that will encompass all humanity—Jews and Gentiles alike.
• "προφητεύσουσιν" (prophēteusousin - they will prophesy): This refers not only to foretelling future events but more broadly to speaking forth God's message, inspired by the Holy Spirit. It includes inspired speech, exhortation, and revelation.
• "ὁράσεις" (horaseis - visions): Divine revelations received while awake.
• "ἐνυπνίοις ἐνυπνιασθήσονται" (enypniois enypniasthēsontai - they will dream dreams; literally "dream dreams"): Divine revelations received during sleep. The repetition emphasizes the act of dreaming God-given dreams.

V. Grammatical Structure and Significance:

• The verse begins with "Καὶ ἔσται" (Kai estai - And it shall be/come to pass), a common introductory formula for prophetic announcements, lending solemnity and certainty to the statement.
• The main clause is "ἐκχεῶ ἀπὸ τοῦ πνεύματός μου ἐπὶ πᾶσαν σάρκα" (I will pour out from My Spirit on all flesh), with "λέγει ὁ θεός" (God says) inserted parenthetically, highlighting the divine speaker.
• The subsequent clauses detailing prophecy, visions, and dreams are connected by "καί" (kai - and), indicating the various manifestations of the Spirit's outpouring.
• The future indicative verbs (e.g., ἐκχεῶ, προφητεύσουσιν, ὄψονται, ἐνυπνιασθήσονται) strongly affirm the certainty of these events occurring in "the last days" that Peter is proclaiming have arrived.

VI. Function in Peter's Sermon and Lukan Theology:

• Explanation of Pentecost: The primary function of quoting Joel is to provide a scriptural explanation for the extraordinary events of Pentecost. It legitimizes the disciples' experience as a work of God.
• Inauguration of the Messianic Age: By identifying the current events with Joel's prophecy of "the last days," Peter proclaims that the Messianic age, characterized by the outpouring of the Spirit, has begun with the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ.
• Universality of the Spirit: The prophecy highlights a key theme in Luke-Acts: the universal offer of salvation and the gift of the Spirit. The Spirit is not for a select few but for "all people," including sons and daughters, young and old, and (as seen in verse 18) male and female servants. This inclusivity is a hallmark of Luke's theology.
• Continuity with God's Plan: Peter's use of the Old Testament demonstrates that the coming of the Holy Spirit is not a radical break from God's past actions but a fulfillment of His long-standing promises.
• Call to Repentance: The quotation of Joel, which includes themes of judgment and salvation (Acts 2:20-21), serves as a basis for Peter's subsequent call to repentance and baptism (Acts 2:38).

VII. Conclusion:

Acts 2:17 is a theologically rich verse where Luke, through Peter's sermon, reinterprets and applies a significant Old Testament prophecy to explain the events of Pentecost. Luke's editorial shaping of the quotation, particularly the introduction of "in the last days," serves to underscore the eschatological significance of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The verse emphasizes the divine initiative, the universality of the Spirit's availability, and the varied ways in which God would communicate with His people in this new era of salvation. This passage is foundational for understanding the New Testament concept of the "last days" and the democratizing work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church.