Peter's vision about clean and unclean animals uniquely positions him as recipient rather than proclaimer of divine revelation, reversing his typical role as authoritative teacher in Acts.
Acts 10
Cornelius Calls for Peter
1Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment,
2a devout man, and one who feared God with all his house, who gave gifts for the needy generously to the people, and always prayed to God.
3At about the ninth hour of the day, he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God coming to him and saying to him, “Cornelius!”
4He, fastening his eyes on him and being frightened, said, “What is it, Lord?” He said to him, “Your prayers and your gifts to the needy have gone up for a memorial before God.
5Now send men to Joppa, and get Simon, who is also called Peter.
6He is staying with a tanner named Simon, whose house is by the seaside.
7When the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier of those who waited on him continually.
8Having explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.
9Now on the next day as they were on their journey and got close to the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray at about noon.
10He became hungry and desired to eat, but while they were preparing, he fell into a trance.
11He saw heaven opened and a certain container descending to him, like a great sheet let down by four corners on the earth,
12in which were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, reptiles, and birds of the sky.
13A voice came to him, “Rise, Peter, kill and eat!”
14But Peter said, “Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.”
15A voice came to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed, you must not call unclean.”
16This was done three times, and immediately the thing was received up into heaven.
17Now while Peter was very perplexed in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood before the gate,
18and called and asked whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was lodging there.
19While Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men seek you.
20But arise, get down, and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”
21Peter went down to the men, and said, “Behold, I am he whom you seek. Why have you come?”
22They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man and one who fears God, and well spoken of by all the nation of the Jews, was directed by a holy angel to invite you to his house, and to listen to what you say.”
23So he called them in and provided a place to stay. On the next day Peter arose and went out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.
Peter at Cornelius's House
24On the next day they entered into Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his relatives and his near friends.
25When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell down at his feet, and worshiped him.
26But Peter raised him up, saying, “Stand up! I myself am also a man.”
27As he talked with him, he went in and found many gathered together.
28He said to them, “You yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man who is a Jew to join himself or come to one of another nation, but God has shown me that I shouldn’t call any man unholy or unclean.
29Therefore I also came without complaint when I was sent for. I ask therefore, why did you send for me?”
30Cornelius said, “Four days ago, I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour, I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing
31and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your gifts to the needy are remembered in the sight of God.
32Send therefore to Joppa and summon Simon, who is also called Peter. He is staying in the house of a tanner named Simon, by the seaside. When he comes, he will speak to you.’
33Therefore I sent to you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God to hear all things that have been commanded you by God.”
34Peter opened his mouth and said, “Truly I perceive that God doesn’t show favoritism;
35but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.
36The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all—
37you yourselves know what happened, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
39We are witnesses of everything he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem; whom they also killed, hanging him on a tree.
40God raised him up the third day and gave him to be revealed,
41not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen before by God, to 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 this is he who is appointed by God as the Judge of the living and the dead.
43All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins.”
44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word.
45They of the circumcision who believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was also poured out on the Gentiles.
46For they heard them speaking in other languages and magnifying God. Then Peter answered,
47“Can anyone forbid these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just like us.”
48He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay some days.
Font Size 17pt
Line Spacing
Theme
Acts 10 records the pivotal conversion of Cornelius, a Roman centurion, marking the first official inclusion of Gentiles into the Christian church. Through simultaneous visions to both Cornelius and Peter, God orchestrates their meeting and uses Peter's vision of unclean animals to teach that the gospel extends beyond Jewish boundaries. This watershed moment demonstrates God's acceptance of all people regardless of ethnic background, fundamentally transforming the early church's understanding of its mission.
Context
This chapter follows Peter's ministry in Judea and precedes his defense of Gentile evangelism before the Jerusalem church in chapter 11.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-8 Cornelius Receives Divine Vision A devout Roman centurion receives an angelic vision instructing him to send for Peter in Joppa.
- 9-16 Peter's Vision of Clean and Unclean Peter receives a vision of various animals with a divine command to eat, challenging Jewish dietary laws.
- 17-23 The Visions Connect As Peter puzzles over his vision's meaning, Cornelius's messengers arrive and the Spirit directs Peter to go with them.
- 24-33 Peter Meets Cornelius Peter travels to Caesarea where Cornelius has gathered his household to hear Peter's message.
- 34-43 Peter Proclaims the Gospel Peter preaches about Jesus Christ, declaring that God shows no partiality between Jews and Gentiles.
- 44-48 Gentiles Receive the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit falls upon Cornelius's household, leading to their baptism and confirming Gentile inclusion.
Cornelius Calls for Peter
10:1–10:23 narrative narration contemplative
Cornelius, a God-fearing Roman centurion, receives a vision to send for Peter, while Peter simultaneously receives a vision about clean and unclean animals. This sets up the pivotal moment for the gospel's expansion to the Gentiles.
person_contrast
Peter's vision about clean and unclean animals uniquely positions him as recipient rather than proclaimer of divine revelation, reversing his typical role as authoritative teacher in Acts.
Peter at Cornelius's House
10:24–10:48 narrative narration triumphant
Peter preaches to Cornelius and his household, marking the first official inclusion of Gentiles into the Christian church. The Holy Spirit falls upon the Gentiles, demonstrating God's acceptance of all people regardless of ethnicity.
person_contrast
Peter's dramatic shift from rejecting Gentile contact to baptizing them occurs within a single chapter, making this the most compressed theological reversal in Acts.
Insights
Peter's dramatic shift from rejecting Gentile contact to baptizing them occurs within a single chapter, making this the most compressed theological reversal in Acts.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Acts 10:1 2 references
Acts 10:2 3 references
Lexicals 3
Acts 5:26 Lexical
Then the captain went with the officers, and brought them without violence, for they were afraid that the people might s…
1 Corinthians 16:19 Lexical
The assemblies of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, together with the assembly that is…
Acts 18:8 Lexical
Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house. Many of the Corinthians, when they heard,…
Acts 10:3 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 23:44 Lexical
It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.
Matthew 24:36 Lexical
“But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Mark 13:32 Lexical
“But of that day or that hour no one knows—not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Matthew 27:46 Lexical
About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lima sabachthani?” That is, “My God, my God, why…
Matthew 20:5 Lexical
Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise.
Acts 10:5 1 reference
Acts 10:6 4 references
Lexicals 4
Acts 9:43 Lexical
He stayed many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon.
Matthew 4:18 Lexical
Walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers: Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net i…
Mark 1:16 Lexical
Passing along by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net into the sea, for they…
Matthew 13:1 Lexical
On that day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the seaside.
Acts 10:9 3 references
Lexicals 3
Matthew 20:5 Lexical
Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise.
Luke 9:28 Lexical
About eight days after these sayings, he took with him Peter, John, and James, and went up onto the mountain to pray.
Acts 3:1 Lexical
Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
Acts 10:11 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 11:5 Lexical
“I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision: a certain container descending, like it was a great…
Revelation 18:1 Lexical
After these things, I saw another angel coming down out of the sky, having great authority. The earth was illuminated wi…
Matthew 3:16 Lexical
Jesus, when he was baptized, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spi…
John 1:51 Lexical
He said to him, “Most certainly, I tell you all, hereafter you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending a…
Revelation 7:2 Lexical
I saw another angel ascend from the sunrise, having the seal of the living God. He cried with a loud voice to the four a…
Acts 10:12 4 references
Lexicals 4
Acts 11:6 Lexical
When I had looked intently at it, I considered, and saw the four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, creeping thi…
Romans 1:23 Lexical
and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, four-footed…
James 3:7 Lexical
For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and sea creature is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind;
Acts 17:24 Lexical
The God who made the world and all things in it, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, doesn’t dwell in temples made with…
Acts 10:13 1 reference
Acts 10:14 1 reference
Acts 10:15 1 reference
Acts 10:17 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 11:11 Lexical
Behold, immediately three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent from Caesarea to me.
Acts 11:13 Lexical
He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying to him, ‘Send to Joppa and get Simon, who is calle…
Luke 5:8 Lexical
But Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord.”
Acts 17:5 Lexical
But the unpersuaded Jews took along some wicked men from the marketplace and gathering a crowd, set the city in an uproa…
Acts 12:7 Lexical
And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him u…
Acts 10:18 1 reference
Acts 10:19 1 reference
Acts 10:20 2 references
Acts 10:21 2 references
Acts 10:22 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 6:20 Lexical
for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many t…
Acts 22:12 Lexical
“One Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well reported of by all the Jews who lived in Damascus,
Acts 2:5 Lexical
Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under the sky.
Acts 21:11 Lexical
Coming to us and taking Paul’s belt, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, “The Holy Spirit says: ‘So the Jews at J…
Acts 2:33 Lexical
Being therefore exalted by the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he…
Acts 10:23 3 references
Lexicals 3
Acts 21:16 Lexical
Some of the disciples from Caesarea also went with us, bringing one Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we wo…
Acts 14:20 Lexical
But as the disciples stood around him, he rose up, and entered into the city. On the next day he went out with Barnabas…
Acts 11:12 Lexical
The Spirit told me to go with them without discriminating. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered into t…
Acts 10:24 1 reference
Acts 10:25 4 references
Lexicals 4
Revelation 22:8 Lexical
Now I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of…
Revelation 19:10 Lexical
I fell down before his feet to worship him. He said to me, “Look! Don’t do it! I am a fellow bondservant with you and wi…
Acts 5:10 Lexical
She fell down immediately at his feet and died. The young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and b…
Luke 8:41 Lexical
Behold, a man named Jairus came. He was a ruler of the synagogue. He fell down at Jesus’ feet and begged him to come int…
Acts 10:26 1 reference
Acts 10:28 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 25:24 Lexical
Festus said, “King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with us, you see this man about whom all the multitude of t…
Acts 11:8 Lexical
But I said, ‘Not so, Lord, for nothing unholy or unclean has ever entered into my mouth.’
1 Corinthians 6:16 Lexical
Or don’t you know that he who is joined to a prostitute is one body? For, “The two”, he says, “will become one flesh.”
Acts 7:2 Lexical
He said, “Brothers and fathers, listen. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, befo…
Acts 24:5 Lexical
For we have found this man to be a plague, an instigator of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a…
Acts 10:30 5 references
Lexicals 5
James 2:3 Lexical
and you pay special attention to him who wears the fine clothing and say, “Sit here in a good place;” and you tell the p…
James 2:2 Lexical
For if a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, comes into your synagogue, and a poor man in filthy clothing also comes…
Acts 6:6 Lexical
whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
Luke 23:11 Lexical
Herod with his soldiers humiliated him and mocked him. Dressing him in luxurious clothing, they sent him back to Pilate.
Acts 17:22 Lexical
Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus and said, “You men of Athens, I perceive that you are very religious in all th…
Acts 10:32 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 9:43 Lexical
He stayed many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon.
Acts 11:13 Lexical
He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying to him, ‘Send to Joppa and get Simon, who is calle…
Matthew 4:18 Lexical
Walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers: Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net i…
John 21:7 Lexical
That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord,…
Mark 1:16 Lexical
Passing along by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net into the sea, for they…
Acts 10:33 1 reference
Acts 10:36 3 references
Lexicals 3
1 Corinthians 1:17 Lexical
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Good News—not in wisdom of words, so that the cross of Christ would…
Acts 5:21 Lexical
When they heard this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and taught. But the high priest and those who were wit…
Acts 16:36 Lexical
The jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go; now therefore come out and go…
Acts 10:37 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 1:4 Lexical
John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching the baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins.
Acts 9:31 Lexical
So the assemblies throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were built up. They were multiplied, walking…
Luke 23:5 Lexical
But they insisted, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee even to this p…
Luke 1:65 Lexical
Fear came on all who lived around them, and all these sayings were talked about throughout all the hill country of Judea…
Matthew 3:1 Lexical
In those days, John the Baptizer came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying,
Acts 10:38 1 reference
Acts 10:39 3 references
Lexicals 3
Acts 1:8 Lexical
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Jude…
Galatians 3:13 Lexical
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who h…
Acts 5:30 Lexical
The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed, hanging him on a tree.
Acts 10:40 4 references
Lexicals 4
Matthew 16:21 Lexical
From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, c…
Matthew 17:23 Lexical
and they will kill him, and the third day he will be raised up.” They were exceedingly sorry.
Matthew 27:64 Lexical
Command therefore that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest perhaps his disciples come at night and steal h…
1 Corinthians 15:4 Lexical
that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
Acts 10:41 1 reference
Acts 10:42 1 reference
Acts 10:43 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 2:38 Lexical
Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins,…
Luke 24:47 Lexical
and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Acts 26:18 Lexical
to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive…
John 10:25 Lexical
Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you don’t believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name, these testify about me…
Matthew 10:41 Lexical
He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. He who receives a righteous man in t…
Acts 10:44 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 11:15 Lexical
As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning.
Acts 28:25 Lexical
When they didn’t agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one message: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly…
Acts 4:31 Lexical
When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit,…
Acts 16:6 Lexical
When they had gone through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word i…
Ephesians 1:13 Lexical
In him you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Good News of your salvation—in whom, having also believed, you…
Acts 10:45 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 2:38 Lexical
Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins,…
Galatians 2:8 Lexical
for he who worked through Peter in the apostleship with the circumcised also worked through me with the Gentiles—
Hebrews 6:4 Lexical
For concerning those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spir…
Romans 5:5 Lexical
and hope doesn’t disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given…
Acts 2:33 Lexical
Being therefore exalted by the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he…
Acts 10:46 3 references
Lexicals 3
Acts 2:11 Lexical
Cretans and Arabians—we hear them speaking in our languages the mighty works of God!”
1 Corinthians 14:2 Lexical
For he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to God, for no one understands, but in the Spirit he speaks…
Matthew 19:27 Lexical
Then Peter answered, “Behold, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?”
Acts 10:47 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 11:16 Lexical
I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spi…
Acts 1:5 Lexical
For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
John 1:33 Lexical
I didn’t recognize him, but he who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘On whomever you will see the Spirit descendi…
Luke 3:16 Lexical
John answered them all, “I indeed baptize you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandal…
Matthew 3:11 Lexical
“I indeed baptize you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not wort…
Acts 10:48 3 references
Lexicals 3
Acts 21:10 Lexical
As we stayed there some days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
John 16:26 Lexical
In that day you will ask in my name; and I don’t say to you that I will pray to the Father for you,
John 16:23 Lexical
“In that day you will ask me no questions. Most certainly I tell you, whatever you may ask of the Father in my name, he…
Interlinear
Word-by-word original language
v. 1
v. 2
v. 3
v. 4
v. 5
v. 6
v. 7
v. 8
v. 9
v. 10
v. 11
v. 12
v. 13
v. 14
v. 15
v. 16
v. 17
v. 18
v. 19
v. 20
v. 21
v. 22
v. 23
v. 24
v. 25
v. 26
v. 27
v. 28
v. 29
v. 30
v. 31
v. 32
v. 33
v. 34
v. 35
v. 36
v. 37
v. 38
v. 39
v. 40
v. 41
v. 42
v. 43
v. 44
v. 45
v. 46
v. 47
v. 48
Lemma
Morphology
Semantic Range
Theological Significance
Translation Notes
Key Passages
Historical Context
Places and events in this chapter
Loading map...