What do 'these days' refer to in Acts 3:24?
In Acts 3:24, 'these days' refer to the prophetic events surrounding the Messiah: His appearance as the king, His crucifixion, His resurrection, His ascension, and His soon return. The prophets from Samuel onward foretold these days, which include the promised times of restitution when God will send Jesus Christ back to set up His kingdom.
Les explains that Peter is preaching shortly after Pentecost, 50 days after the ascension. In Acts 3:20-21, Peter announces that if Israel would repent and believe who Jesus really was, God would send Jesus Christ to be their king, since He has been crucified and can now rightfully be king. Heaven must hold Him until the times of restitution of all things spoken by all God's holy prophets since the age began. This isn't an afterthought. Then in verse 24, Peter says all the prophets from Samuel and those after, as many as have spoken, foretold prophetically of 'these days.' Les asks what days, and answers: the appearance of the king, His crucifixion, His resurrection, His ascension, but His soon return. The Bible writers thought it would happen right in order. In verse 25, Peter claims the Abrahamic covenant, telling them they are the children of the prophets and of the covenant God made with Abraham. So 'these days' encompass the Messiah's first advent events and His future return, tied to the covenant promises.
Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.
More Questions
What did Peter mean by 'these days' in Acts 3:24?
Peter's phrase 'these days' in Acts 3:24 refers to everything that had just taken place—the crucifixion, the resurrection, the ascension, and the coming of the Holy Spirit—and Peter says all of it was prophesied.