Acts 2:18
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
American King James Version (AKJV)
And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
American Standard Version (ASV)
Yea and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days Will I pour forth of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
And on my men-servants and my women-servants I will send my Spirit, and they will be prophets.
Webster's Revision
And on my servants, and on my hand-maidens I will, in those days, pour out of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
World English Bible
Yes, and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days, I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy.
English Revised Version (ERV)
Yea and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days Will I pour forth of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.
Clarke's Acts 2:18 Bible Commentary
On my servants and on my handmaidens - This properly means persons of the lowest condition, such as male and female slaves. As the Jews asserted that the spirit of prophecy never rested upon a poor man, these words are quoted to show that, under the Gospel dispensation, neither bond nor free, male nor female, is excluded from sharing in the gifts and graces of the Divine Spirit.
Barnes's Acts 2:18 Bible Commentary
And on my servants - The Hebrew text in Joel is "upon the servants." The Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate, however, render it "on my servants." In Joel, the prophet would seem to be enumerating the different conditions and ranks of society. The influences of the Spirit would be confined to no class; they would descend on old and young, and even on servants and handmaids. So the Chaldee Paraphrase understood it. But the Septuagint and Peter evidently understood it in the sense of servants of God, as the worshippers of God are often called servants in the Scriptures. See Romans 1:1. It is possible, however, that Joel intended to refer to the servants of God. It is not "upon your servants," etc., as in the former expression, "your sons," etc.; but the form is changed, "upon servants and handmaids." The language, therefore, will admit the construction of the Septuagint and of Peter; and it was this variation in the original Hebrew which suggested, doubtless, the mention of "my servants," etc., instead of your servants.
And on my handmaids - Female servants. The name is several times given to pious women, Psalm 86:16; Psalm 116:16; Luke 1:38, Luke 1:48. The meaning of this verse does not materially differ from the former. In the times of the gospel, those who were brought under its influence would be remarkably endowed with ability to declare the will of God.
Wesley's Acts 2:18 Bible Commentary
2:18 And upon my servants - On those who are literally in a state of servitude.