Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Acts: Chapter 2]
2:19 {Wonders} (\terata\). Apparently akin to the verb \t•re•\,
to watch like a wonder in the sky, {miracle} (\miraculum\),
marvel, portent. In the New Testament the word occurs only in the
plural and only in connection with \s•meia\ (signs) as here and
in verse 43. But {signs} (\s•meia\) here is not in the LXX. See
on Mt 11:20. In verse 22 all three words occur together:
powers, wonders, signs (\dunamesi, terasi, s•meiois\). {As above}
(\an•\). This word is not in the LXX nor is "beneath" (\kat•\),
both probably being added to make clearer the contrast between
heaven and earth. {Blood and fire and vapour of smoke} (\haima
kai pur kai atmida kapnou\). A chiasm as these words illustrate
bloodshed and destruction by fire as signs here on earth.
2:20 {Shall be turned} (\metastraph•setai\). Second future
passive of \metastreph•\, common verb, but only three times in
the N.T. (Ac 2:20 from Joel; Jas 4:9; Ga 1:7). These are the
"wonders" or portents of verse 19. It is worth noting that
Peter interprets these "portents" as fulfilled on the Day of
Pentecost, though no such change of the sun into darkness or of
the moon into blood is recorded. Clearly Peter does not interpret
the symbolism of Joel in literal terms. This method of Peter may
be of some service in the Book of Revelation where so many
apocalyptic symbols occur as well as in the great Eschatological
Discourse of Jesus in Mt 24,25. In Mt 24:6,29 Jesus had
spoken of wars on earth and wonders in heaven. {Before the day of
the Lord come, that great and notable day} (\prin elthein h•meran
kuriou t•n megal•n kai epiphan•\). The use of \prin\ with the
infinitive and the accusative of general reference is a regular
Greek idiom. The use of the adjectives with the article is also
good Greek, though the article is not here repeated as in 1:25.
The Day of the Lord is a definite conception without the article.
{Notable} (\epiphan•\) is the same root as epiphany
(\epiphaneia\) used of the Second Coming of Christ (2Th 2:8; 1Ti
6:14; 2Ti 4:1; Tit 2:13). It translates here the Hebrew word for
"terrible." In the Epistles the Day of the Lord is applied
(Knowling) to the Coming of Christ for judgment (1Th 5:2; 1Co
1:8; 2Co 1:14; Php 1:10).
2:21 {Shall call on} (\epikales•tai\). First aorist middle
subjunctive of \epikale•\, common verb, to call to, middle voice
for oneself in need. Indefinite relative clause with \ean\ and so
subjunctive, punctiliar idea, in any single case, and so aorist.
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