Explanation to the mockers

“But this is what has been spoken through the prophet Joel.” (1) “This” refers to the twelve apostles speaking in tongues. Peter explains this event from the perspective of Joel’s prophecy being fulfilled. The quoted passage is Joel 2:28-32 (Joel 3:1-5 in the Hebrew Bible). (2) Peter makes slight change in the passage for its application. (a) The phrase “after this” (from Joel) is changed to “in the last days.” (b) Peter is trying to convey an eschatological nuance to the audience. (c) Jewish rabbis referred to the Messianic age as “the end times.”

Three sections of Joel’s prophecy

The prophecy Peter quoted consists of three parts: (1) The outpouring of the Holy Spirit (v 17–18). The Holy Spirit is poured out on “all people,” resulting in supernatural gifts being manifested by people regardless of status or rank, young and old, men and women. (2) Cataclysmic events (v 19–20). Following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, cataclysmic events will occur: the sun turns dark, and the moon turns to blood. This describes the events during the Great Tribulation. Such events occur before the Second Coming of the Messiah and the establishment of the Messianic Kingdom. (3) The promise of salvation (v 21): “And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” The word translated as “Lord” is “Kurios” in Greek and “Yahweh” in Hebrew. This signifies that “Kurios” is equivalent to “Yahweh.” This makes clear that Jesus Christ is the Yahweh of the Old Testament. All who believe in and trust in Jesus as Yahweh shall be saved. This is the central theme of Peter’s sermon. This raises the question of whether Peter’s citation of Joel is problematic. There are four ways the Old Testament is quoted in the New Testament. (1) Direct fulfillment of prophecy. This includes Matthew 1:22-23 (quoting Isa. 7:14) and Matthew 2:5-6 (quoting Mic. 5:2). (2) Referring to a historical event and explaining it as a “type.” An example of this is Matthew 2:15b (quoting Hos. 11:1). (3) Referring to an actual historical event and applying it to the present situation (one point of similarity is sufficient). An example of this is Matthew 2:17-18 (quoting Jer. 31:15). (4) Summarizing a Messianic prophecy. Matthew 2:23b is an example of this. Peter’s citation falls into the third category, with “the outpouring of the Holy Spirit” being the sole point of similarity. Peter’s message has two characteristics: (1) He speaks by the power of the Holy Spirit. (2) The goal is “that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”