Acts10
New International Version
1At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment.
2He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.
3One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”
4Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.
5Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter.
6He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.”
7When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants.
8He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.
9About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray.
10He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.
11He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners.
12It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds.
13Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
14“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
15The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
16This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
17While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate.
18They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.
19While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you.
20So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”
21Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”
22The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.”
23Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along.
24The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.
25As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence.
26But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”
27While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people.
28He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.
29So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”
30Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me
31and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor.
32Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’
33So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”
34Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism
35but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.
36You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
37You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached—
38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
39“We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross,
40but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen.
41He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.
43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.
45The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles.
46For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said,
47“Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”
48So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Acts 10.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Cornelius directed to send for Peter. (1–8). Peter's vision. (9–18). He goes to Cornelius. (19–33). His discourse to Cornelius. (34–43). The gifts of the Holy Spirit poured out. (44–48).
vv1-8
Hitherto none had been baptized into the Christian church but Jews, Samaritans, and those converts who had been circumcised and observed the ceremonial law; but now the Gentiles were to be called to partake all the privileges of God's people, without first becoming Jews. Pure and undefiled religion is sometimes found where we least expect it. Wherever the fear of God rules in the heart, it will appear both in works of charity and of piety, neither will excuse from the other. Doubtless Cornelius had true faith in God's word, as far as he understood it, though not as yet clear faith in Christ. This was the work of the Spirit of God, through the mediation of Jesus, even before Cornelius knew him, as is the case with us all when we, who before were dead in sin, are made alive. Through Christ also his prayers and alms were accepted, which otherwise would have been rejected. Without dispute or delay Cornelius was obedient to the heavenly vision. In the affairs of our souls, let us not lose time.
vv9-18
The prejudices of Peter against the Gentiles, would have prevented his going to Cornelius, unless the Lord had prepared him for this service. To tell a Jew that God had directed those animals to be reckoned clean which were hitherto deemed unclean, was in effect saying, that the law of Moses was done away. Peter was soon made to know the meaning of it. God knows what services are before us, and how to prepare us; and we know the meaning of what he has taught us, when we find what occasion we have to make use of it.
vv19-33
When we see our call clear to any service, we should not be perplexed with doubts and scruples arising from prejudices or former ideas. Cornelius had called together his friends, to partake with him of the heavenly wisdom he expected from Peter. We should not covet to eat our spiritual morsels alone. It ought to be both given and taken as kindness and respect to our kindred and friends, to invite them to join us in religious exercises. Cornelius declared the direction God gave him to send for Peter. We are right in our aims in attending a gospel ministry, when we do it with regard to the Divine appointment requiring us to make use of that ordinance. How seldom ministers are called to speak to such companies, however small, in which it may be said that they are all present in the sight of God, to hear all things that are commanded of God! But these were ready to hear what Peter was commanded of God to say.
Key Words
Καισάρεια (Kaisáreia): Cæsaria, the name of two places in Palestine
ἦν (ēn): I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)
τὶς (tìs): some or any person or object
ἀνήρ (anḗr): a man (properly as an individual male)
ὄνομα (ónoma): a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
Κορνήλιος (Kornḗlios): Cornelius, a Roman
ἑκατοντάρχης (hekatontárchēs): the captain of one hundred men
ἐκ (ek): literal or figurative; direct or remote)
καλέω (kaléō): to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)
Ἰταλικός (Italikós): Italic, i.e. belonging to Italia
Cross References
Acts 10Peter's own subsequent recital of his Joppa vision to the Jerusalem church, confirming details.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The Mosaic law code distinguishing clean and unclean beasts, which the vision explicitly rescinds.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Parallel refusal of human worship by Paul and Barnabas, echoing Peter's 'I myself am a man.'
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
The prophetic description of the Messiah being anointed with the Holy Ghost and power.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Peter later appeals to this event to prove God's acceptance of uncircumcised Gentiles.
Supported by JFB
Paul's theological conclusion that no food is unclean of itself, aligning with Peter's vision.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The doubling or tripling of a vision indicates the thing is established by God.
Supported by JFB
The foundational Old Testament declaration that God does not respect persons.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Pauline exposition that there is no difference between Jew and Greek; Christ is Lord over all.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The gift of the Holy Ghost poured out, mirroring the initial Jewish Pentecost.
Supported by JFB
Like Abraham, Cornelius is commended for leading his entire household to fear God.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Daniel receiving an angelic vision during the time of the evening sacrifice, the ninth hour.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Internal link confirming Cornelius's prayers and alms as the memorial mentioned by the angel.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Historical proof of resurrection: the disciples eating and drinking with Jesus after He rose.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Another Roman centurion commended for loving the Jewish nation and giving alms.
Supported by JFB