Acts 2:17 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

In the last days; in the time of the Messiah, called the last days frequently, 2 Timothy 3:1 Hebrews 1:2 2 Peter 3:3; as also called the last time, 1 Peter 1:5 1 John 2:18 Judges 1:18; because we are now under the last and most perfect dispensation of the things of God, and no other is to be looked for until the consummation of all things. I will pour out of my Spirit; before the Spirit was given in lesser measures, and comparatively but by drops, here a little, and there a little; now more largely, even to overflow. Upon all flesh; all sorts of men, as well Gentiles as Jews, contrary unto their proud conceit, that God dwelt in none out of the land of Israel. Daughters shall prophesy; fulfilled in Anna the prophetess, Luke 2:36, and in the four daughters of Philip, Luke 21:9. Visions; these were formerly either representations more inward to their mind, as Isaiah's and Jeremiah's were; or more outward, to their bodily eye, as Belshazzar's was, Daniel 5:5, and such as Peter had, Acts 10:11. Dreams; by dreams God sometimes manifested his will, as to Joseph; but this is by St. Peter accommodated to the gospel times. The prophets spake suitably to them unto whom they preached; and the apostle rightly understands by these expressions, the manifold and more clear revelation of the will of God in Christ.