And all the prophets, from Samuel and afterwards, who have spoken, have told of these days.
και παντες δε οι προφηται απο σαμουηλ και των καθεξης οσοι ελαλησαν και κατηγγειλαν προκατηγγειλαν τας ημερας ταυτας
5 Church Fathers comment on this verse
On the other hand, the Apostle wishes to show that the prophets also foretold the same thing. If someone examines carefully, he will find that this was also spoken of in the Old Testament, though not plainly. Thus there is nothing especially new in it. He did not wish to bring forward each prophet separately, lest he make the discourse too long. Having mentioned the chief testimony of Moses, he passed over the testimonies of the others.
Although the patriarchs and the saints of the former time prophesied much about Christ in words and deeds, the proper time of the prophets began with Samuel. That is, it began with those who wrote plainly about Christ and the mystery of the Church. Under Samuel the first kings also appeared in Judea, and this time continued until the end of the Babylonian captivity.
The Apostle Peter's address to the people after the healing of the lame man, like his address on the day of Pentecost, is a preaching about Jesus Christ. He was glorified by God (v. 13), crucified by men (vv. 14-15), risen from the dead (v. 15), and ascended into heaven (v. 21). See the interpretations on chapter 2.
All the prophets foretold these days, that is, the days of the appearing of this great Prophet in Israel, like Moses. These are the days of the Messiah, or the times of the Kingdom of the Messiah, in the same sense as above, vv. 18 and 21. "From Samuel": Samuel is the greatest prophet after Moses. With him begins the unbroken line of prophets among the Hebrew people, which ends with the end of the Babylonian captivity.
The Prophet Samuel is mentioned after the Prophet Moses because among the Hebrews the sacred books were divided into three parts: the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.
The first of the prophets after Moses who wrote sacred books was the Prophet Samuel. The books of Judges, Ruth, and the two books of Kingdoms are attributed to him. Especially clear prophecies are found in 1 Kgdms 2:10 and 2 Kgdms 7:12.
The Apostle Peter does not touch here on the messianic Psalms, since he had recalled them earlier. What had been said was sufficient. Many of the hearers themselves knew the prophecies about the Messiah.
Therefore the Apostle touches on Samuel chiefly for the effect of his authority, rather than by quoting his words. Quoting them would have required much time, and the evening of that day was already drawing to a close.
It should also be said that the venerable name of the Prophet Samuel had special and significant importance. He was the founder of the prophetic schools.
Those educated there under his beneficent influence soon received prophetic gifts. These sometimes acted even upon people little prepared for them. Thus once the prophetic spirit touched even Saul (cf. 1 Kgdms 10:11-12).
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 17 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS