Acts 2:18
What does Acts 2:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 2:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 2:18 means
The prophecy continues to emphasize the universal nature of the Spirit's outpouring, extending it specifically to God's 'servants and handmaidens.' This reiterates that the Holy Spirit's empowering presence is for all believers, regardless of social standing or gender. The promise that 'they shall prophesy' reinforces the idea of direct divine communication and inspired speech being widely distributed, not confined to a select few.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Yea and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days Will I pour forth of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Yea and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days Will I pour forth of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And on my men-servants and my women-servants I will send my Spirit, and they will be prophets.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and also upon My men-servants, and upon My maid-servants, in those days, I will pour out of My Spirit, and they shall prophesy;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And upon my servants indeed and upon my handmaids will I pour out in those days of my spirit: and they shall prophesy.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890yea, even upon my bondmen and upon my bondwomen in those days will I pour out of my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
Context
Following the previous verse's declaration of the Spirit's universal outpouring in the last days, this verse further expands on that universality. By explicitly including 'servants and handmaidens,' the prophecy emphasizes that the Spirit's empowerment transcends social hierarchy, immediately preceding the description of accompanying cosmic signs that will usher in the Day of the Lord.
v.17And it shall be in the last days, saith God, I will pour forth 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:
v.18This passage
v.19And I will show wonders in the heaven above, And signs on the earth beneath; Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke:
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Galatians 3:28
There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus.
- Colossians 3:11
where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.
- Acts 21:10
And as we tarried there some days, there came down from Judæa a certain prophet, named Agabus.
- 1 Corinthians 7:21
Wast thou called being a bondservant? care not for it: nay, even if thou canst become free, use it rather.
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