What is happening when Peter gives this sermon at Pentecost?

A crowd in Jerusalem has just heard the disciples speaking in different languages after the Holy Spirit was poured out on them. Some people are amazed, but others mock and say the disciples are drunk. Peter stands up with the eleven and explains that they are not drunk, since it is only the third hour of the day. Instead, he says this is God pouring out His Spirit, just like He promised. He then uses this moment to preach about Jesus’ death, resurrection, and exaltation, and to call people to respond.

Why does Peter quote the prophet Joel about the last days?

Peter quotes Joel to show that what the crowd is seeing is not random or chaotic, but part of God’s long-promised plan. Joel spoke of a time when God would pour out His Spirit on all flesh, on sons and daughters, young and old, servants and handmaidens. Peter says, “This is that,” meaning the pouring out of the Spirit marks the beginning of the last days and the reign of the Messiah. It proves that God has started a new era where His Spirit is generously given to all who belong to Him.

What does it mean that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved?

Peter quotes the promise that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved right after speaking of the great and notable day of the Lord, with signs in heaven and on earth. In that setting, to call on the Lord’s name means to turn to Him in faith, cry out to Him for mercy, and trust Him to rescue from judgment. Peter goes on to show that this Lord is Jesus, whom God raised and exalted. So this promise means that anyone, Jew or Gentile, who truly looks to Jesus for help will be saved.

How does Peter explain Jesus’ death and resurrection in this passage?

Peter says Jesus was “a man approved of God” by miracles and signs that God did through Him. Yet the people handed Him over and He was crucified by wicked hands. Peter also says this happened according to God’s determined plan and foreknowledge, so it was not an accident. Then he proclaims that God raised Jesus up, because it was not possible for death to hold Him. He uses David’s words about not seeing corruption and not being left in the grave to show that David was speaking ahead of time about the Messiah’s resurrection.

Why does Peter talk about David not being left in the grave?

Peter quotes David saying that his soul would not be left in the grave and that God’s Holy One would not see corruption. Then Peter points out that David himself died, was buried, and his tomb was still with them. So David could not have been speaking about his own body staying uncorrupted. Peter explains that David was a prophet and knew God had promised to raise one of his descendants to sit on his throne. So David was looking ahead and speaking about the resurrection of the Christ, that Jesus’ body would not decay in the grave.

What does it mean that Jesus is exalted at the right hand of God?

Peter says that God raised Jesus and exalted Him by His right hand. This picture of the right hand means the place of highest honor, power, and authority. Peter connects this with David’s words, “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thy foes thy footstool.” By using this, Peter shows that Jesus now reigns with God and that His enemies will be put under His feet. From this place of honor, Jesus has received the promised Holy Spirit from the Father and has poured out what the crowd is seeing and hearing.

Who is Peter talking to when he says, “whom you crucified”?

Peter is speaking to the men of Israel gathered in Jerusalem for the feast. Many of them had been present in the city when Jesus was tried and crucified. He tells them that they took Jesus and, by wicked hands, crucified and killed Him. At the same time, Peter explains that this happened according to God’s counsel and foreknowledge. So he holds his hearers responsible for their part in rejecting Jesus, while also showing that God was working out His plan of salvation through the cross.

What does this passage teach about the Holy Spirit’s work?

This passage shows that the Holy Spirit is poured out in a new and abundant way. The Spirit is no longer just on a few leaders, but on all kinds of people, including sons, daughters, young, old, servants, and handmaidens. The Spirit causes them to prophesy, see visions, and dream dreams. Peter also says that the risen and exalted Jesus is the One who sends the Spirit. So the Spirit’s work here is to mark the beginning of the last days, to equip God’s people to speak His word, and to point everyone to Jesus as Lord and Christ.

Why does Peter end by saying God made Jesus both Lord and Christ?

Peter builds his whole message toward this strong conclusion: the same Jesus whom they crucified, God has made both Lord and Christ. “Lord” points to Jesus’ authority and rule, and “Christ” means He is the promised Messiah from David’s line. By saying this, Peter wants all the house of Israel to be sure that the rejected and crucified Jesus is now the risen, reigning King. This confronts them with their sin of rejecting Him, but also opens the door for them to repent and receive salvation through Him.

How can believers today apply Peter’s message in this passage?

Believers today can see that God keeps His promises: He sent the Spirit just as He said, raised Jesus just as He said, and offers salvation to all who call on the Lord. This passage encourages us to trust that Jesus truly is Lord and Messiah, even if many around us reject Him. It also shows that the Spirit is given to all kinds of people, so no one is too young, old, poor, or unknown for God to use. Like Peter, we can speak honestly about sin, but also clearly about the hope found in the risen Christ.

Acts.2.14

Acts 2:14

KJV

But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

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Peter Addresses the Crowd

Cross References

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