FocusPreparation for an unexpected visit
Connection to the wholeThe messenger and Peter's vision bring the two men toward a meeting that will challenge assumptions about whom Peter may visit.
interpretation Acts 10:4
KJVAnd when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
Read it in context
Cornelius and Peter are directed
Start reading at Acts 10:1 (Acts 10:1 to Acts 10:23).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The messenger and Peter's vision bring the two men toward a meeting that will challenge assumptions about whom Peter may visit.
- 10:1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
- 10:2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
- 10:3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
- 10:4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
- 10:5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:
- 10:6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
- 10:7 And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;
- 10:8 And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
- 10:9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
- 10:10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
- 10:11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
- 10:12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
- 10:13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
- 10:14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
- 10:15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
- 10:16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
- 10:17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,
- 10:18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
- 10:19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.
- 10:20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
- 10:21 Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?
- 10:22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.
- 10:23 Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Luke, the physician and companion of Paul, is the traditional author of Acts and the Gospel of Luke. Biblical references: Acts 1:1; Luke 1:3; Colossians 4:14. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Acts 10:1–10:48): Cornelius, his household, relatives, and close friends hear Peter proclaim Jesus; Jewish believers accompanying Peter witness the Holy Ghost given to the Gentile hearers. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Theophilus, the same named recipient as Luke's Gospel, with the account also serving the wider Christian readership. Biblical references: Acts 1:1; Luke 1:3. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Cornelius and Peter are directed. Read Acts 10:1 through Acts 10:23 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The messenger and Peter's vision bring the two men toward a meeting that will challenge assumptions about whom Peter may visit. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? Acts begins after Jesus' resurrection and follows the witness through Pentecost, expansion among peoples, and Paul's arrival in Rome. It does not give a final publication date. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The movement extends from Jerusalem through Judea and Samaria toward wider regions and Rome, as announced in Acts 1:8. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Cornelius and Peter are directed (Acts 10:1 to Acts 10:23). Start reading at Acts 10:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The risen Jesus commissions the witnesses, and their preaching centers on Him. The accounts include repentance, baptism in Jesus' name, and reception of the Holy Ghost; keep the details and order stated for each event. See Acts 1:8, Acts 2:38, Acts 10:44, Acts 10:48, Acts 19:5, Acts 19:6. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Compare conversion accounts carefully, preserving what each one actually narrates. Do not invent an omitted detail or flatten every episode into an identical sequence. interpretation
Cited: Acts 10:1, Acts 10:23, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:38, Acts 10:44, Acts 10:48, Acts 19:5, Acts 19:6
Who wrote it, and how we know
Luke
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book opens by referring to the author's former treatise to Theophilus, tying it to Luke, and shifts into first-person plural in the travel accounts.
Acts 1:1Acts 16:10
Early traditionEarly testimony names Luke.
What is debatedThe name is not in the text.
Other accounts of this event
Cornelius, Peter, and the Gentiles receiving the Holy Ghost
Later retelling included
Acts 11 records Peter's later explanation of the events in Acts 10. Acts 15 briefly recalls the Gentiles hearing and receiving the Holy Ghost.
Related passages
- he was Dan 10:11 Luke 1:12,29 Luke 24:5
- What Acts 9:5-6 Acts 22:10 1 Sam 3:10
- thy Acts 10:31 2 Chr 6:33 2 Chr 32:24 Ps 141:2 Isa 43:26 Mal 3:16 Luke 1:13 Phil 4:6
- thine Isa 45:19 Phil 4:18 Heb 6:10 Heb 13:16
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Time covered by Acts
About 30 years
- AD 30 or 33Approximate beginning · Acts 1
The risen Jesus instructs His apostles
Acts begins after Jesus’ resurrection and describes His ascension. - About AD 62Approximate ending · Acts 28
Paul teaches while confined in Rome
The account closes with Paul receiving visitors and teaching during two full years in his rented lodging.
The narrative moves from Jerusalem to Rome over roughly three decades. Chapters do not represent equal amounts of time.
View historical notes and sources
Using a beginning in AD 30 or 33 and an ending around AD 62 gives approximately 29–32 years. These are reconstructed dates for the events, not a date for the writing of Acts. The book does not explicitly total its elapsed years.
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Acts 10
Acts addresses Theophilus as a continuation of the earlier account and follows the witnesses empowered by the Holy Ghost. Acts 1:8 supplies an important geographical frame: Jerusalem, Judaea and Samaria, and the uttermost part of the earth.
Peter enters the household
Acts 10:24–33FocusGod's direction acknowledged
Connection to the wholePeter hears why he was summoned and recognizes that the gathering has been arranged to hear what God has commanded him to speak.
interpretation Peter preaches Jesus
Acts 10:34–43FocusLife, death, resurrection, and remission
Connection to the wholePeter's message centers on Jesus and the witnesses to His resurrection, leading to the promise of remission through His name.
interpretation The Holy Ghost and baptism
Acts 10:44–48FocusGentile hearers received
Connection to the wholeThe Jewish believers hear the Gentiles speak with tongues and magnify God; Peter then commands water baptism in the Lord's name.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Acts
Acts addresses Theophilus as a continuation of the earlier account and follows the witnesses empowered by the Holy Ghost. Acts 1:8 supplies an important geographical frame: Jerusalem, Judaea and Samaria, and the uttermost part of the earth.
The promised power and the Jerusalem church
Acts 1:1–2:47FocusWitness begins
Connection to the wholeJesus' promise, the coming of the Holy Ghost, Peter's preaching, and the hearers' response establish the beginning of the church's witness.
interpretation Witness and opposition in Jerusalem
Acts 3:1–7:60FocusBoldness, order, and rejection
Connection to the wholePublic testimony and growth are accompanied by internal needs and increasing opposition, culminating in Stephen's death.
interpretation FocusSamaria, Saul, and Gentile hearers
Connection to the wholePersecution scatters believers; new fields open, Saul is called, and the reception of Gentiles becomes a matter publicly explained to the church.
interpretation Mission and the Gentile question
Acts 13:1–15:35FocusChurches established and the council
Connection to the wholeThe first missionary journey and the Jerusalem deliberation address the place of Gentile believers without making circumcision the entrance requirement.
interpretation Further journeys and growing churches
Acts 15:36–21:16FocusStrengthening and expanding witness
Connection to the wholePaul and his companions travel through new regions and revisit churches, moving toward the journey to Jerusalem despite coming danger.
interpretation Arrest, hearings, and Rome
Acts 21:17–28:31FocusTestimony through imprisonment
Connection to the wholePaul's custody becomes a setting for witness before authorities and brings him to Rome, where the account closes with continued proclamation.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.