Acts 2:19-20
And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse isn't just about predicting future disasters; it’s highlighting how God uses even terrifying events as signs. The vivid imagery of "blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke" paints a picture of immense upheaval, serving as a dramatic prelude to God's direct intervention, whether in judgment or in the unfolding of His promises.
Peter is quoting from the prophet Joel, applying it to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. This prophetic passage describes terrifying signs in the heavens and on earth, foreshadowing periods of great upheaval and judgment, like the destruction of Jerusalem and ultimately, the final Day of the Lord. The inclusion of these warnings emphasizes that even in the midst of God's promises and present blessings, His coming judgment is a reality that calls for repentance.
The Bible uses 'wonders' and 'signs' to describe more than just dazzling miracles. These words often point to dramatic events signifying God's intervention, especially in judgment.
When Peter quotes Joel in Acts 2:19, he's not just talking about awe-inspiring displays. The original Hebrew word often translated as 'wonders' (mowpatiym) means 'prodigies' or 'wonderful occurrences.'
These dramatic signs Peter quotes from Joel weren't just about some distant future event. They were meant to resonate with his listeners, pointing to events both imminent and yet to come.
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The 'wonders' and 'signs' described in Acts 2:19 are powerfully linked to the destruction of Jerusalem.
Understand the original words
terata · Greek Noun
Supernatural events or phenomena intended to point toward divine action, provoke awe, and confirm the message of God.
sēmeia · Greek Noun
Visible proofs or markers that authenticate a message or messenger as being from God.
hēmera kyriou · Greek Noun phrase
A period of divine intervention and eschatological judgment, often associated with the return of Christ to judge the wicked and vindicate His people.
While Peter quotes Joel's prophecy on Pentecost to explain the immediate outpouring of the Spirit, the imagery of cosmic and earthly upheaval also pointed towards the future destruction of Jerusalem and, ultimately, the final Day of the Lord.
c. 700 BC
Joel's Prophecy
The prophet Joel records visions of God's judgment, using imagery of celestial and terrestrial disturbances like blood, fire, and smoke, to signify coming calamities.
c. 4 BC - AD 30/33
Jesus' Ministry and Crucifixion
Jesus speaks of signs in the heavens and earth preceding great tribulations and the end of an age, drawing parallels to Joel's prophetic imagery.
c. AD 33— this verse
The Day of Pentecost
The Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus' followers in Jerusalem, empowering them to speak in other tongues. Peter preaches, quoting Joel's prophecy to explain the outpouring of the Spirit as a sign of the 'last days'.
c. AD 30s - AD 70
Growing Unrest in Judea
A period marked by increasing Roman oppression, Jewish revolts, and civil strife within Jerusalem, creating widespread 'blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke' on the earth.
AD 66-70
First Jewish-Roman War
Violent conflict erupts between Jewish rebels and the Roman Empire, leading to immense bloodshed and destruction across the land.
AD 70
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
The Roman army under Titus conquers Jerusalem, leveling the city and destroying the Second Temple, fulfilling many of Jesus' and the prophets' warnings.
This is the original passage Peter is quoting in Acts 2:19. It describes celestial signs preceding the 'great and dreadful day of the Lord,' highlighting the continuity of God's warnings across generations.
Matthew 24:29Jesus uses very similar language when describing signs in the heavens and earth that will accompany the destruction of Jerusalem and the end times, showing that these are recurring themes of divine judgment.
Revelation 6:12-14The book of Revelation vividly depicts cosmic disturbances like the sun turning black and the moon turning to blood, echoing the 'blood, fire, and vapor of smoke' imagery as signs of God's wrath and the unfolding of His plan.
Hebrews 12:26-27This passage explains that God's voice once shook the earth, and He promises that He will yet shake not only the earth but also the heavens. This reinforces the idea that such signs are manifestations of God's powerful presence and judgment.
cambridgeActs 2:19: "And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:"
19 . and I will shew wonders , &c.] By the figurative language of this verse the prophet teaches that even when the kingdom of Christ shall have come into the world, mighty troubles shall still prevail. Cp. Christ’s own words of like import ( Matthew 24:21-30 ).
clarkeActs 2:19: "And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:"
I will show wonders - It is likely that both the prophet and the apostle refer to the calamities that fell upon the Jews at the destruction of Jerusalem, and the fearful signs and portents that preceded those calamities. See the notes on Matthew 24:5-7 (note), where these are distinctly related. Blood, fire, and vapour of smoke - Skirmishes and assassinations over the land…
This verse isn't just about predicting future disasters; it’s highlighting how God uses even terrifying events as signs. The vivid imagery of "blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke" paints a picture of immense upheaval, serving as a dramatic prelude to God's direct intervention, whether in judgment or in the unfolding of His promises.
Peter is quoting from the prophet Joel, applying it to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. This prophetic passage describes terrifying signs in the heavens and on earth, foreshadowing periods of great upheaval and judgment, like the destruction of Jerusalem and ultimately, the final Day of the Lord. The inclusion of these warnings emphasizes that even in the midst of God's promises and present blessings, His coming judgment is a reality that calls for repentance.
Peter is quoting from the prophet Joel, applying it to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. This prophetic passage describes terrifying signs in the heavens and on earth, foreshadowing periods of great upheaval and judgment, like the destruction of Jerusalem and ultimately, the final Day of the Lord. The inclusion of these warnings emphasizes that even in the midst of God's promises and present blessings, His coming judgment is a reality that calls for repentance.
"And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, th…" — This verse isn't just about predicting future disasters; it’s highlighting how God uses even terrifying events as signs. The vivid imagery of "blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke" paints a picture of…
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