Acts 2:19

What does Acts 2:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 2:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 2:19 means

This verse describes cosmic signs and wonders accompanying the outpouring of the Spirit, indicating the dramatic and world-altering nature of God's redemptive work. 'Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke' signal serious, momentous events, often associated with divine judgment and cataclysm. These are not merely natural occurrences but supernatural portents, emphasizing the gravity of the spiritual era being inaugurated and preparing for the ultimate 'Day of the Lord.'

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And I will show wonders in the heaven above, And signs on the earth beneath; Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And I will show wonders in the heaven above, And signs on the earth beneath; Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And wonders will be seen in heaven, and signs on the earth, blood and fire and smoke:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and I will give wonders in the heaven above, and signs upon the earth beneath--blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And I will shew wonders in the heaven above, and signs on the earth beneath: blood and fire, and vapour of smoke.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And I will give wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

Context

Building upon the prophecy of the Spirit's outpouring in the previous two verses, this verse introduces a series of dramatic cosmic signs. These portents accompany the spiritual empowering, signaling significant historical and eschatological shifts. This description sets the stage for the climactic arrival of the Day of the Lord, further intensifying the prophetic message.

v.18Yea and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days Will I pour forth of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.

v.19This passage

v.20The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the day of the Lord come, That great and notable day:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Zephaniah 1:14

    The great day of Jehovah is near, it is near and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of Jehovah; the mighty man crieth there bitterly.

  • Malachi 4:1

    For, behold, the day cometh, it burneth as a furnace; and all the proud, and all that work wickedness, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith Jehovah of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

  • Joel 2:30

    And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.

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