New International VersionI will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke.
New Living TranslationAnd I will cause wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below— blood and fire and clouds of smoke.
English Standard VersionAnd I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
Berean Standard BibleI will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke.
Berean Literal BibleAnd I will show wonders in the heaven above, and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and vapor of smoke.
King James BibleAnd I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
New King James VersionI will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.
New American Standard Bible‘AND I WILL DISPLAY WONDERS IN THE SKY ABOVE AND SIGNS ON THE EARTH BELOW, BLOOD, FIRE, AND VAPOR OF SMOKE.
NASB 1995‘AND I WILL GRANT WONDERS IN THE SKY ABOVE AND SIGNS ON THE EARTH BELOW, BLOOD, AND FIRE, AND VAPOR OF SMOKE.
NASB 1977‘AND I WILL GRANT WONDERS IN THE SKY ABOVE, AND SIGNS ON THE EARTH BENEATH, BLOOD, AND FIRE, AND VAPOR OF SMOKE.
Legacy Standard BibleAND I WILL PUT WONDERS IN THE SKY ABOVE AND SIGNS ON THE EARTH BELOW, BLOOD, AND FIRE, AND VAPOR OF SMOKE.
Amplified Bible‘AND I WILL BRING ABOUT WONDERS IN THE SKY ABOVE AND SIGNS (attesting miracles) ON THE EARTH BELOW, BLOOD AND FIRE AND SMOKING VAPOR.
Christian Standard BibleI will display wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below: blood and fire and a cloud of smoke.
Holman Christian Standard BibleI will display wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below: blood and fire and a cloud of smoke.
American Standard VersionAnd I will show wonders in the heaven above, And signs on the earth beneath; Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke:
Contemporary English Version"I will work miracles in the sky above and wonders on the earth below. There will be blood and fire and clouds of smoke.
English Revised VersionAnd I will shew wonders in the heaven above, And signs on the earth beneath; Blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
GOD'S WORD® TranslationI will work miracles in the sky and give signs on the earth: blood, fire, and clouds of smoke.
Good News TranslationI will perform miracles in the sky above and wonders on the earth below. There will be blood, fire, and thick smoke;
International Standard VersionI will display wonders in the sky above and signs on the earth below: blood, fire, and clouds of smoke.
NET BibleAnd I will perform wonders in the sky above and miraculous signs on the earth below, blood and fire and clouds of smoke.
New Heart English BibleAnd I will show wonders in the sky above, and signs on the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and billows of smoke.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs on the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke.
Weymouth New TestamentI will display marvels in the sky above, and signs on the earth below, blood and fire, and pillars of smoke. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleI will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke.
World English BibleI will show wonders in the sky above, and signs on the earth beneath: blood, and fire, and billows of smoke. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd I will give wonders in the sky above, "" And signs on the earth beneath—Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke,
Berean Literal BibleAnd I will show wonders in the heaven above, and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and vapor of smoke.
Young's Literal Translation and I will give wonders in the heaven above, and signs upon the earth beneath -- blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke,
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd I will give wonders in heaven above, and signs upon the earth below; blood, and fire, and steam of smoke: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd I will shew wonders in the heaven above, and signs on the earth beneath: blood and fire, and vapour of smoke.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd I will bestow wonders in heaven above, and signs on earth below: blood and fire and the vapor of smoke.
New American BibleAnd I will work wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below: blood, fire, and a cloud of smoke.
New Revised Standard VersionAnd I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd I will show wonders in heaven, and signs on the earth; blood and fire and vapor of smoke:
Aramaic Bible in Plain English“And I shall give signs in the Heavens and miracles in The Earth, blood, fire and plumes of smoke.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath, blood and fire and columns of smoke.
Godbey New TestamentAnd I will give wonders in the heavens above, and signs on the earth beneath, blood and fire, and vapor of smoke.
Haweis New Testamentand I will perform prodigies in the heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke.
Mace New Testamentand I will shew prodigies in the heavens, and signs on the earth; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke.
Weymouth New TestamentI will display marvels in the sky above, and signs on the earth below, blood and fire, and pillars of smoke.
Worrell New TestamentAnd I will show wonders in the heaven above, and signs upon the earth beneath—blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke.
Worsley New TestamentAnd I will give prodigies in the heaven, and signs upon the earth; blood, and fire, and smoky vapour.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Peter Preaches to the Crowd… 18Even on My menservants and maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19I will showwondersintheheavensaboveandsignsontheearthbelow,bloodandfireandbillowsof smoke.20The sun will be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the coming of the great and glorious Day of the Lord.…
Cross References Joel 2:30-31I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. / The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD.
Matthew 24:29Immediately after the tribulation of those days: ‘The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.’
Revelation 6:12-14And I watched as the Lamb opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black like sackcloth of goat hair, and the whole moon turned blood red, / and the stars of the sky fell to the earth like unripe figs dropping from a tree shaken by a great wind. / The sky receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place.
Isaiah 13:10For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not give their light. The rising sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light.
Mark 13:24-25But in those days, after that tribulation: ‘The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; / the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.’
Luke 21:25-26There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among the nations, bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the surging of the waves. / Men will faint from fear and anxiety over what is coming upon the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
Revelation 8:12Then the fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun and moon and stars were struck. A third of the stars were darkened, a third of the day was without light, and a third of the night as well.
Ezekiel 32:7-8When I extinguish you, I will cover the heavens and darken their stars. I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon will not give its light. / All the shining lights in the heavens I will darken over you, and I will bring darkness upon your land,’ declares the Lord GOD.
Isaiah 34:4All the stars of heaven will be dissolved. The skies will be rolled up like a scroll, and all their stars will fall like withered leaves from the vine, like foliage from the fig tree.
Revelation 16:18-21And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake the likes of which had not occurred since men were upon the earth—so mighty was the great quake. / The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. And God remembered Babylon the great and gave her the cup of the wine of the fury of His wrath. / Then every island fled, and no mountain could be found. ...
Jeremiah 4:23-28I looked at the earth, and it was formless and void; I looked to the heavens, and they had no light. / I looked at the mountains, and behold, they were quaking; all the hills were swaying. / I looked, and no man was left; all the birds of the air had fled. ...
Zephaniah 1:14-15The great Day of the LORD is near—near and coming quickly. Listen, the Day of the LORD! Then the cry of the mighty will be bitter. / That day will be a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of destruction and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness,
Revelation 11:19Then the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple. And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.
Revelation 14:14-20And I looked and saw a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was One like the Son of Man, with a golden crown on His head and a sharp sickle in His hand. / Then another angel came out of the temple, crying out in a loud voice to the One seated on the cloud, “Swing Your sickle and reap, because the time has come to harvest, for the crop of the earth is ripe.” / So the One seated on the cloud swung His sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested. ...
Isaiah 24:19-23The earth is utterly broken apart, the earth is split open, the earth is shaken violently. / The earth staggers like a drunkard and sways like a shack. Earth’s rebellion weighs it down, and it falls, never to rise again. / In that day the LORD will punish the host of heaven above and the kings of the earth below. ...
Treasury of Scripture And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke: Joel 2:30,31 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke… Zephaniah 1:14-18 The great day of the LORDis near,it is near, and hasteth greatly,even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly… Malachi 4:1-6 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch… Jump to Previous BelowBeneathBillowsBloodDisplayEarthFireGrantHeavenMarvelsPillarsShewShowSignsSkySmokeVaporVapourWondersJump to Next BelowBeneathBillowsBloodDisplayEarthFireGrantHeavenMarvelsPillarsShewShowSignsSkySmokeVaporVapourWondersActs 2 1.The apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, and speaking various languages,12.are admired by some, and derided by others;14.whom Peter disproves;37.he baptizes a great number who were converted;41.who afterwards devoutly and charitably converse together;43.the apostles working many miracles,46.and God daily increasing his church.I will show wonders in the heavens aboveThis phrase indicates divine intervention and the manifestation of God's power. In biblical context, "wonders" often refer to miraculous events that signify God's presence and authority. The heavens are frequently associated with God's domain, and wonders in the heavens can symbolize divine messages or judgments. This aligns with Old Testament prophecies, such as those found in Joel 2:30-31, which speak of cosmic signs preceding the Day of the Lord. These wonders serve as a testament to God's sovereignty and are meant to capture the attention of humanity, urging them to recognize His power and authority. and signs on the earth below
Signs on the earth are tangible events or phenomena that indicate God's active involvement in the world. In biblical history, signs often accompany significant divine actions or covenants, such as the plagues in Egypt or the parting of the Red Sea. These signs are meant to confirm God's word and prompt a response from people, whether it be repentance, faith, or awe. The dual mention of wonders in the heavens and signs on the earth underscores the comprehensive nature of God's revelation, affecting both the spiritual and physical realms. blood and fire and billows of smoke
This imagery is evocative of apocalyptic literature, where such elements often symbolize judgment and purification. Blood can represent sacrifice, violence, or the cost of sin, while fire is frequently associated with God's presence, judgment, and purification, as seen in passages likeMalachi 3:2-3. Billows of smoke can indicate destruction or the aftermath of divine judgment, reminiscent of the smoke that rose from Sodom and Gomorrah. These elements together suggest a time of upheaval and transformation, pointing to the eschatological events that accompany the coming of God's kingdom. They serve as a call to readiness and repentance, urging believers to align themselves with God's purposes in anticipation of His ultimate intervention in history. Persons / Places / Events 1. The Day of PentecostThis event marks the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the apostles, enabling them to speak in various tongues and proclaim the gospel with power. 2. PeterThe apostle who delivers the sermon in Acts 2, quoting the prophet Joel to explain the miraculous events occurring at Pentecost. 3. JerusalemThe city where the events of Acts 2 take place, during a time when Jews from various nations were gathered for the Feast of Weeks. 4. JoelAn Old Testament prophet whose prophecy Peter cites to explain the signs and wonders accompanying the Holy Spirit's arrival. 5. The Holy SpiritThe third person of the Trinity, whose coming fulfills Jesus' promise and empowers the apostles for ministry. Teaching Points Understanding ProphecyActs 2:19 reminds us of the importance of understanding biblical prophecy. It encourages believers to study the Scriptures to discern God's plans and purposes. God's SovereigntyThe wonders and signs described highlight God's control over creation and history. Believers can trust in His sovereign plan, even amidst chaos. The Urgency of the GospelThe signs in Acts 2:19 serve as a reminder of the urgency to share the gospel. They point to the reality of God's coming judgment and the need for repentance. Empowerment by the Holy SpiritJust as the apostles were empowered at Pentecost, believers today are called to rely on the Holy Spirit for boldness and effectiveness in ministry. Hope in Christ's ReturnThe cosmic signs point to the return of Christ. Believers are encouraged to live with hope and anticipation, preparing for His second coming. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Acts 2:19?
2.How does Acts 2:19 demonstrate God's power and sovereignty over creation?
3.What signs and wonders in Acts 2:19 relate to Old Testament prophecies?
4.How can believers prepare for the "wonders in the heavens" mentioned here?
5.How does Acts 2:19 encourage us to trust God's plan during uncertain times?
6.What role do signs in Acts 2:19 play in strengthening our faith today?
7.What signs and wonders are referenced in Acts 2:19?
8.How does Acts 2:19 relate to end times prophecy?
9.What is the significance of "blood, fire, and vapor of smoke" in Acts 2:19?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 2?
11.What does the Bible say about ISIS and End Times?
12.What are Christian orbs?
13.Does Peter's citation of Joel (Acts 2:16-21) truly match the original prophecy, or is it taken out of context?
14.Hebrews 2:4 mentions 'signs, wonders, and miracles'--why is there no verifiable historical or archaeological evidence for these supernatural events?What Does Acts 2:19 Mean I will show wonders in the heavens above• God promises literal, visible phenomena in the sky, echoingJoel 2:30. • Such wonders include darkness, unusual celestial events, and disturbances in sun, moon, and stars (Matthew 24:29;Revelation 6:12–14). • At Pentecost the rushing wind and tongues of fire (Acts 2:2–3) were a foretaste, confirming that the same God who parted the Red Sea with a mighty wind (Exodus 14:21) still intervenes. • These heavenly wonders remind believers that history is under God’s control and that He punctuates it with unmistakable signals of His power.
and signs on the earth below• While the heavens speak, the earth also bears witness—miraculous acts that cannot be explained by natural causes (Luke 21:11). • InActs 2 the immediate earth-level sign was the Spirit-empowered speech of ordinary Galileans (Acts 2:6–7). • Scripture links “signs” with both deliverance and judgment: the plagues in Egypt (Exodus 7:3–5) and the healing miracles of Jesus and the apostles (Acts 4:30) are equally “signs” pointing to divine authority. • Future earthly signs will intensify before Christ’s return (Revelation 8:7), urging repentance and faith.
blood and fire• “Blood” signals life taken and judgment executed—seen in the Nile turning to blood (Exodus 7:20) and the martyrs’ cry for justice (Revelation 6:10). • “Fire” speaks of both purification and destruction. God answered Elijah with fire (1 Kings 18:38) and will one day judge the world with fire (2 Peter 3:7). • Together they preview end-time turmoil: wars, violence, and divine wrath (Mark 13:8;Revelation 8:7). • For believers, the fire also pictures the refining work of the Spirit, separating genuine faith from the false (1 Peter 1:7).
and billows of smoke• The Berean Standard Bible renders this phrase “vapor of smoke,” suggesting thick, choking clouds arising from devastation. • Smoke accompanied Sinai’s theophany (Exodus 19:18) and symbolizes God’s fearsome presence. • It also pictures the fallout of judgment—volcanic eruptions, burning cities, and warfare (Isaiah 34:10;Revelation 9:2–3). • The image warns that rejecting God brings consequences, while simultaneously assuring believers that those consequences lie within His sovereign plan.
summaryActs 2:19, quoted from Joel and fulfilled in part at Pentecost, declares that God punctuates both heaven and earth with unmistakable signs—wonders in the sky, miraculous interventions on land, and vivid symbols of judgment like blood, fire, and smoke. These signs validate the gospel message, call sinners to repentance, refine the faithful, and point forward to the climactic “Day of the Lord” when Christ will return and every eye will see His sovereign power. (19) And I will shew wonders in heaven above.--St. Peter quotes the words of terror that follow, apparently, for the sake of the promise with which they end in Acts 2:21. But as it was not given to him as yet to know the times and the seasons ( Acts 1:7), it may well have been that he looked for the "great and notable day" as about to come in his own time. The imagery is drawn as from one of the great thunder-storms of Palestine. There is the lurid blood-red hue of clouds and sky; there are the fiery flashes, the columns or pillars of smoke-like clouds boiling from the abyss. These, in their turn, were probably thought of as symbols of bloodshed, and fire and smoke, such as are involved in the capture and destruction of a city like Jerusalem. Verse 19.- The heaven for heaven, A.V.; on for in, A.V. I will show ( δώσω, as in Matthew 24:24). This follows the Hebrew and the Codex Alexandrinus. The Vatican Codex has, They will show or give ( δώσωσι). In the heavens above... on the earth beneath. Above and beneath are not in the Hebrew or the LXX. With these exceptions, the text of the LXX. is followed.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek I will showδώσω(dōsō)Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1325:To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.wondersτέρατα(terata)Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 5059:A wonder, portent, marvel. Of uncertain affinity; a prodigy or omen.inἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.theτῷ(tō)Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.heavensοὐρανῷ(ouranō)Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3772:Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.aboveἄνω(anō)Adverb
Strong's 507:Up, above, up to the top, up to the brim, things above, heaven, the heavenly region. Adverb from anti; upward or on the top.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.signsσημεῖα(sēmeia)Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4592:Neuter of a presumed derivative of the base of semaino; an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally.onἐπὶ(epi)Preposition
Strong's 1909:On, to, against, on the basis of, at.theτῆς(tēs)Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.earthγῆς(gēs)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1093:Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.below,κάτω(katō)Adverb
Strong's 2736:(a) down, below, also: downwards, (b) lower, under, less, of a length of time. Also katotero; adverb from kata; downwards.bloodαἷμα(haima)Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 129:Blood, literally, figuratively or specially; by implication, bloodshed, also kindred.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.fireπῦρ(pyr)Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4442:Fire; the heat of the sun, lightning; fig: strife, trials; the eternal fire. A primary word; 'fire'.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.cloudsἀτμίδα(atmida)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 822:Breath, steam, vapor. From the same as aer; mist.of smoke.καπνοῦ(kapnou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2586:Smoke. Of uncertain affinity; smoke.
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NT Apostles: Acts 2:19 I will show wonders in the sky (Acts of the Apostles Ac) |
