Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 2:33

"Being therefore by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath poured forth this, which ye see and hear." — Acts 2:33 (ASV)

Therefore being by the right hand. The right hand among the Hebrews was often used to denote power; and the expression here means, not that he was exalted to the right hand of God, but by his power. He was raised from the dead by his power and borne to heaven, triumphant over all his enemies. The use of the word “right hand” to denote power is common in the Scriptures: Job 40:14, Your own right hand can save you; Psalms 17:7, You save by your right hand those who put their trust in you; Psalms 18:35; Psalms 20:6; Psalms 21:8; Psalms 44:3; Psalms 60:5; and other similar passages.

Exalted. Constituted King and Messiah in heaven. Raised up from his condition of humiliation to the glory which he had with the Father before the world was (John 17:5).

And having received, etc. The Holy Ghost was promised to the disciples before his death, John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:13–15.

It was expressly declared:

1. that the Holy Ghost would not be given except the Lord Jesus should return to heaven (John 16:7), and
2. that this gift was in the power of the Father, and that he would send him, John 14:26; John 15:26.

This promise was now fulfilled, and those who witnessed the extraordinary scene before them could not doubt that it was the effect of Divine power.

Has shed forth this, etc. — this power of speaking different languages and declaring the truth of the gospel.

In this way Peter accounts for the remarkable events before them.

It could not be produced by new wine (Acts 2:15). It was expressly foretold (Acts 2:16–21). It was predicted that Jesus would rise (Acts 2:22–31).

The apostles were witnesses that he had risen and that he had promised that the Holy Spirit should descend; and the fulfillment of this promise was a rational way of accounting for the scene before them.

It was unanswerable, and the effect on those who witnessed it was such as might be expected.

Compare the phrase has shed forth this with its usage in Acts 10:45 and Ephesians 4:8.