What does Acts 2:22 mean?

Peter has been using the prophecies of Joel 2:28–32 to explain why a group of Jesus-followers has suddenly begun speaking in different languages (Acts 2:1–13). Joel explains that in the last days, the Holy Spirit will come and cause God's followers to prophecy (Joel 2:28–29; Acts 2:17–18). He then promises judgment for those who ignore the prophecies (Joel 2:30–31; Acts 2:19–20) and rescue for those who listen and respond (Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21).

Peter now ties Joel's prophecy to his audience. Joel warned that God would destroy Israel because of their rejection of Him. Fifty days ago, the Jews rejected Jesus. Peter will use prophecies from David to prove Jesus' identity as the Messiah that God promised them (Acts 2:25–28, 34–35).

Peter addresses the "Men of Israel" because the crowd likely is made of all men. This is the middle of the Pentecost, one of three feasts that all Jewish men are to celebrate in Jerusalem. During these feasts, also including Passover and the Feast of Booths, Jerusalem's population grows from about 100,000 residents to a total of about a million people. The crowd is made of travelers from as far away as Rome to the west and Mesopotamia to the east (Acts 2:9–11), so they probably weren't there when Jesus was crucified, fifty days before. But they would have heard about it.

They also would have heard of Jesus' miraculous works. "Miracles" is from the Greek root word dunamis which references the power needed to perform miracles. "Wonder" is from the Greek root word teras and means a miracle that reveals a hidden truth. "Signs" is from the Greek root word semeion; it means a miracle that is unusual and identifies the miracle-worker as something special, especially chosen by God. Jesus' three-year ministry was certainly characterized by miracles, wonders, and signs (Matthew 20:29–34; Luke 7:11–17; 11:14–20; 22:51; John 11:17–44). In fact, the Bible doesn't contain all of Jesus' miracles (John 20:30–31).