Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Acts 2:17

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"And your sons shall prophesy." And yet, he says, not yours this achievement, this distinction; the gift has passed over to your children. Himself and his company he calls their sons, and those whom he is addressing he calls his and their fathers. …

Homily on Acts 5 ↗

Cyril of Alexandria

And He pours it out upon all flesh. And this is clear, that it is not upon those of the circumcision alone, but upon all without exception who are called through faith, whether they be from Greek error, whether small and great, slaves and free, barbarians and Scythians. …

Commentary on the Twelve Minor Prophets, Joel ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

It does not say: "I will pour out My Spirit," but: "of My Spirit." Not the Spirit, but the gift of the Spirit is poured out "upon all flesh," and specifically upon that which has believed, that is, upon the Gentiles. But he does not yet reveal this to them, and the words "upon all flesh" give them good hopes and do not allow them to claim the expected blessings for themselves alone; through this very thing he also cuts off envy at its very root. But pay attention to how diverse the revelation of the Holy Spirit is. …

Commentary on Acts ↗

Western Saints

Ambrose of Milan

"I will pour out of My Spirit": He said not Spirit, but "of My Spirit," for we are not able to receive the fulness of the Holy Spirit, but we receive as much as our Master divides to us of His own according to His will.

On the Holy Spirit, Book 1 ↗

Bede

And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, etc. And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs on earth beneath. Wonders in heaven, when a new star appeared at the birth of the Lord, the sun was darkened when He ascended the cross, and the very heavens were covered with darkness. Signs on earth, when the Lord gave up the Spirit, the earth quaked, the graves opened, rocks were split, and many bodies of the saints who slept arose.

Commentary on Acts ↗