{3} And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon {l} all {m} flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

(3) Peter setting forth the truth of God against the false accusations of men, shows in himself and in his companions that the prophecy of Joel concerning the full giving of the Holy Spirit in the latter days has been fulfilled: and this grace is also offered to the whole Church, to the certain and undoubted destruction of those who condemn it.

(l) All without exception, both upon the Jews and Gentiles.

(m) That is, men.

People's New Testament

2:17 It shall come to pass in the last days. The phrase Last days was used by the Jews to denote the last dispensation, that of Christ. See Isa 2:2.

I will pour out of my Spirit. A figurative expression to indicate abundant gifts of the Spirit.

Upon all flesh. On all races, not on the Jews alone.

Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. To prophesy in the New Testament means to communicate religious truth by divine authority, as well as to foretell the future. The prophecy was fulfilled in the inspired speaking on Pentecost and afterwards, as well as by the daughters of Philip (21:9). It will be seen that both sexes are included.

See visions... dream dreams. Such visions as that of Peter at Joppa (Ac 10:9-16). Such dreams as that of Paul at Troas, where he saw the Macedonian asking him to Come and help us (Ac 16:9).

Wesley's Notes

2:17 The times of the Messiah are frequently called the last days, the Gospel being the last dispensation of Divine grace. I will pour out of my Spirit - Not on the day of pentecost only, upon all flesh - On persons of every age, sex, and rank. And your young men shall see visions - In young men the outward sense, are most vigorous, and the bodily strength is entire, whereby they are best qualified to sustain the shock which usually attends the visions of God. In old men the internal senses are most vigorous, suited to divine dreams. Not that the old are wholly excluded from the former, nor the young from the latter.

Scofield Reference Notes

[1] last days

A distinction must be observed between "the last days" when the prediction relates to Israel, and the "last days" when the prediction relates to the church 1Tim 4:1-3 2Tim 3:1-8 Heb 1:1,2 1Pet 1:4,5 2Pet 3:1-9 1Jn 2:18,19 Jude 1:17-19. Also distinguish the expression the "last days" (plural) from "the last day" (singular); the latter expression referring to the resurrections and last judgment Jn 6:39,40,44,54 11:24 12:48. The "last days" as related to the church began with the advent of Christ Heb 1:2 but have especial reference to the time of declension and apostasy at the end of this age 2Tim 3:1 4:4. The "last days" as related to Israel are the days of Israel's exaltation and blessing, and are synonymous with the kingdom-age Isa 2:2-4 Mic 4:1-7. They are "last" not with reference to this dispensation, but with reference to the whole of Israel's history.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

17. in the last days-meaning, the days of the Messiah (Isa 2:2); as closing all preparatory arrangements, and constituting the final dispensation of God's kingdom on earth.

pour out of my Spirit-in contrast with the mere drops of all preceding time.

upon all flesh-hitherto confined to the seed of Abraham.

sons . daughters . young men . old men . servants . handmaidens-without distinction of sex, age, or rank.

see visions . dream dreams-This is a mere accommodation to the ways in which the Spirit operated under the ancient economy, when the prediction was delivered; for in the New Testament, visions and dreams are rather the exception than the rule.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

2:14-21 Peter's sermon shows that he was thoroughly recovered from his fall, and thoroughly restored to the Divine favour; for he who had denied Christ, now boldly confessed him. His account of the miraculous pouring forth of the Spirit, was designed to awaken the hearers to embrace the faith of Christ, and to join themselves to his church. It was the fulfilling the Scripture, and the fruit of Christ's resurrection and ascension, and proof of both. Though Peter was filled with the Holy Ghost, and spake with tongues as the Spirit gave him utterance, yet he did not think to set aside the Scriptures. Christ's scholars never learn above their Bible; and the Spirit is given, not to do away the Scriptures, but to enable us to understand, approve, and obey them. Assuredly none will escape the condemnation of the great day, except those who call upon the name of the Lord, in and through his Son Jesus Christ, as the Saviour of sinners, and the Judge of all mankind.