And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
Read it in contextI Will Pour Out My Spirit
Start reading at Joel 2:28 (Joel 2:28 to Joel 2:32).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Words of restored provision lead into the promise concerning the Spirit and the call on the LORD's name.
2:28And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
2:29And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
2:30And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
2:31The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.
2:32And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Joel son of Pethuel is the named prophet and traditional author. Biblical references: Joel 1:1. stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Joel 2:1–2:32): The inhabitants of Zion, priests, elders, children, and the whole congregation are summoned to repentance; the promises concern the LORD's people. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Judah and Jerusalem: elders, inhabitants, farmers, priests, and the gathered people are called to hear and respond. Biblical references: Joel 1:2; Joel 1:13; Joel 2:15; Joel 3:1. stated in the text
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? I Will Pour Out My Spirit. Read Joel 2:28 through Joel 2:32 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Words of restored provision lead into the promise concerning the Spirit and the call on the LORD's name. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The opening does not name a reigning king or give a precise year. The book moves through devastation, a call to return, promised restoration, and the day of the LORD. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? Judah, Jerusalem, Zion, the affected land, and the nations appear in the prophetic scene. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in I Will Pour Out My Spirit (Joel 2:28 to Joel 2:32).
Start reading at Joel 2:28. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Peter explicitly cites Joel's promise of the outpoured Spirit at Pentecost. Read the promise with Acts' description of the event and the response Peter calls for. See Joel 2:28, Joel 2:32, Acts 2:16, Acts 2:38. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Respond to calls for wholehearted return and communal prayer. When connecting the promise of the Spirit with the church, retain the actual words of Joel and Acts. interpretation
Cited: Joel 2:28, Joel 2:32, Acts 2:16, Acts 2:38
Who wrote it, and how we know
JoelNamed in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book opens with the word of the LORD that came to Joel. Joel 1:1
Early traditionTradition names Joel.
What is debatedThe date is uncertain because the book gives no king's name.
Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment
The notes distinguish explicit fulfillment statements from other explicit New Testament applications. They do not assume every detail of the surrounding prophecy has already been fulfilled.
Peter explicitly identifies the Pentecost outpouring with Joel's words and then tells his hearers to repent and be baptized in Jesus Christ's name, with the promise of the Holy Ghost. This connection does not assume every cosmic sign in Joel occurred on that day.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Joel 2
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Joel names the prophet but does not provide a royal date in its opening. Its descriptions of devastation, calls to return, and promises concerning the Spirit must be read in sequence. Acts 2 explicitly cites the promise of the Spirit. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The warning intensifies and becomes a call for wholehearted return and communal supplication.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Words of restored provision lead into the promise concerning the Spirit and the call on the LORD's name.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Joel
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Joel names the prophet but does not provide a royal date in its opening. Its descriptions of devastation, calls to return, and promises concerning the Spirit must be read in sequence. Acts 2 explicitly cites the promise of the Spirit.