Heb. ’achare-ken, “after this.” The phrase is indefinite as to time. It was God’s plan to bestow upon the restored state of Israel the spiritual blessings here described (see on Eze. 39:29). Because of the failure of the people, and the consequent rejection of the Jewish nation (see p. 33), the promises were not fulfilled to literal Israel. These promises were transferred to spiritual Israel. Peter identified the events on the day of Pentecost as a partial fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy (Acts 2:16-21). Instead of “afterward” Peter used the phrase “in the last days” (v. 17).

 This though is further emphasized by the enumeration of the various age groups that would share the spiritual blessings; further, by the fact that bond and free alike would receive the Spirit. The context makes clear that more than the reception of the Spirit, such as accompanies conversion and works transformation of life, is here spoken of. This special pouring out of the Spirit results in the display of supernatural gifts, such as prophesying. On the day of Pentecost, when the apostles “were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues” (Acts 2:4), Peter asserted that “this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel” (v. 16).

 In the early church “the manifestation of the Spirit” was given “to every man to profit withal” (1 Cor. 12:7). Various gifts were in evidence, such as “the word of wisdom,” “the word of knowledge,” “faith,” “healing,” “working of miracles,” “prophecy,” “discerning of spirits,” “divers kinds of tongues,” and “the interpretation of tongues” (vs. 8-10).

The events of Pentecost were but a partial fulfillment of Joel’s prediction. The prophecy is to “reach its full accomplishment in the manifestation of divine grace which will attend the closing work of the gospel” (GC ix).

 In the Hebrew Bible vs. 28-32 constitute ch. 3, and what is ch. 3 in the English Bible is ch. 4 in the Hebrew Bible.

 For a discussion of “dreams” and “visions” see on 1 Sam. 3:1; cf. Num. 12:6.