And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

ACTS 2:18KJV
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Acts 2:18 (KJV)

What does Acts 2:18 mean?

Acts 2:18 says that God will pour out His Spirit even on servants and handmaidens, and they will prophesy. This means that God’s Spirit and the gift of prophecy are not limited to a certain group but are given to all kinds of people, regardless of their social status.

Peter is speaking to a crowd in Jerusalem, quoting the prophet Joel to explain what is happening at Pentecost. The verse highlights that God’s promise includes everyone—men and women, people of low status as well as high. In this setting, it shows that the coming of the Holy Spirit breaks down old barriers and gives spiritual gifts to all who believe.

The Greek behind Acts 2:18

  • δούλοις (doulois) and δούλαις (doulai): These words mean "servants" (male) and "handmaidens" (female). The Greek here emphasizes that both men and women of the lowest social rank are included, showing the wide reach of God’s promise.
  • ἐκχεῶ (ekcheō): This word means "I will pour out." It carries the sense of something being given freely and abundantly, not just a small measure.
  • πνεύματος (pneumatos): This is the word for "Spirit." In this context, it refers to God’s Holy Spirit, showing that the same Spirit is given to all, not just leaders or prophets.
  • προφητεύσουσιν (prophēteusousin): This means "they will prophesy." The Greek verb here points to speaking forth God’s message, not just predicting the future, and it is something both men and women will do.

Why Acts 2:18 matters

  • Acts 2:18 clears up the idea that spiritual gifts or God’s Spirit are only for a select few; it shows that God includes people from every background.
  • The verse emphasizes that both men and women are equally valued in God’s plan, which was a radical idea in that historical context.
  • Acts 2:18 connects directly to the events of Pentecost, helping the crowd understand that what they see is the fulfillment of God’s ancient promise through the prophet Joel.

Where else these words appear

“handmaidens” Greek G1399 · used in 3 verses

  • Luke 1:38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
  • Luke 1:48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

“And” Greek G1065 · used in 9 verses

  • Luke 11:8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
  • Luke 24:21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.
  • 1 Corinthians 4:8 Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.

“prophesy” Greek G4395 · used in 27 verses

  • Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
  • John 11:51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
  • 1 Corinthians 14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

“out” Greek G1632 · used in 28 verses

  • Matthew 9:17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
  • Acts 1:18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
  • Revelation 16:1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.