T V¹ 10:1-24-. Preparation. V² 10:-24-48-. Conference.
V¹ c 1-4. Vision.
d 5,6. Command.
e 7,8-. Obedience.
f -8,9-. Messengers sent.
c -9-19-. Vision.
d -19,20. Command.
e 21,22. Obedience.
f 23,24-. Messengers sent.Acts 10)
1: There was a certain man in Caesarea (see note on 8:40) by name Cornelius (= of a horn), a centurion (= a captain over 100 men) of the cohort called the Italian band (it would be one levied in Italy),
2: A pious man, and one that revered God (Gr. Theos, used here in the N.T. of the Father, as the revealed God) with all his house, which gave much alms (see 3:2) to the people, and prayed to God always. (He, a Gentile, searched for the truth)
3: He saw in a vision clearly (i.e. objectively) about the ninth hour (3 p.m.) of the day an Angel of God coming in to him, and saying to him, “Cornelius.” (the angel was speaking to a Gentile!)
4: But gazing up at him, and being affrightened, he said, “What is it, Lord?” (Gr. Kurios = Owner. It represents the authority and Lordship arising from and pertaining to ownership. Hence, when it is used of each Person of the Trinity, it is similarly used of the lower and human relationship of "master". So much depends on the presence or absence of the Greek Article [ho], when used of Divine relationship. Used as in John 4:11, where it is rendered "Sir") And He said to him, “Your prayers and your alms are come up for a memorial in the sight of God. (God does notice. It makes His day, i.e. genuine love)
5: And now send men to Joppa (= beautiful), and send for one Simon (= heard), whose is surnamed Peter: (= a rock or stone. This was a beautiful day!)
6: This one lodges with one Simon a tanner (see 9:43), whose house is by the side of the sea: he shall tell you what you ought to do.” (the text omits this clause. God always guides and directs)
7: And when the Angel which spoke to Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually (see 1:14. This soldier was his personal armor bearer = trust at your back)
8: And having related all these things to them,
he sent them to Joppa. (He's obeying God!)
9: On the next day, as they went on their journey, and were drawing near to the city,
Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour (Noon, midday prayer, the same hour as was Christ's Crucifixion):
10: And he became very hungry, and wished to eat: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance (Lit a trance fell upon him. God put him in this mode. The text read, "came upon him". Ekstasis is sometime translated "amazement", as in 3:10. It is akin to existêma [2:7; 8:9 &c.]. This was not an objective vision, as in the case of Cornelius),
11: And beheld the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending to him (the text omits), as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners (The text omits. Read "Sent down by the four corners"), and let down upon the earth:
12: In which were all four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts (the text omits), and creeping things (bugs, insects), and fowls of the heaven. (All unclean animals)
13: And there came a voice to him, “Rise, Peter; slay (as in sacrifice), and eat.” (Cp. Lev.11:4. If it seems to you God is countermanding His own rules and regulations, PAY ATTENTION, God is telling you something else in symbology! Or it's not from God.)
14: But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I never at any time ate any thing that is common or unclean.” (Gr. akathartos. The previous 21 occ. all aply to evil spirits. Here the reference is to the ceremonial uncleanness of the Levitical law)
15: And the voice spoke to him again the second time (Lit. from the second time), “The things which Father has cleansed, that call not you common.” (This would leave you in a quandary, no!?)
16: This was done thrice (cp. Peter's 3 denials, and Father's 3 time demand for him to "Feed the sheep"): and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
17: Now while Peter was perplexed in himself what this vision which he had seen should be, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius having inquired for Simon's house, carefully stood at the gate, (God had everything timed right)
18: And called, and inquired if Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
19: While Peter turned over in his mind the vision, (he was mulling it over)
the Spirit (i.e. the Angel of Yahaveh in v.3) said to him, “Behold, three men seek you.
20: But arise, and get you down, and go with them, doubting nothing (He's reassuring him, "It's OK Peter, they are going to obey God): for I have sent them.” (This proves that it is the Angel of Yahaveh that is speaking)
21: Then Peter went down to the men which were sent to him from Cornelius (all the text omit and Syrac omits); and said, “Behold, I am he whom you all seek: what is the cause on account of which you all are present?” (i.e. "What are you here for?")
22: And they said, “Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that reverences God, and borne witness to by all the nation of the Jews (= Ethnic people in Judea), was revealed from God by an Holy Angel to send for (as in v.5) you into his house, and to hear words from you.”
23: Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the next day Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
24: And the next day after they entered into Caesarea. (He had a crowd waiting. Do not shut out a man because of his race. But respect with dignity the difference and his customs. Thus opening the Church and the way to Christ to all people!)
V² W -24-27. Expectation.
X 28,29. Peter.
Y 30-33. Cornelius.
X 34-43. Peter.
W 44-48-. Realization.
And Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his kinsmen and intimate friends (Lit. necessary. First occ. Translated elsewhere as "necessary", "needful", &c.).
25: Now it came to pass that Peter entered in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshiped him (= did homage or reverence. Downfall of many a person. Don't abuse a gift from God. It is God that touches people).
26: But Peter took him up, saying, “Rise up; I myself also am a man.”
27: And conversing with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. (Remember these are all Gentiles that Peter is conversing with)
28: And he said to them, “You all know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is of Judah to keep company, or come to one of another nation (= aliens = different race and kindred); but God showed me (emphatic because it stands first in the sentence. "Me God showed") that I should call no man common or unclean (see vv.14,15. Man symbolic of the sheet. It has nothing to do with food).
29: Without gainsaying also I came (He didn't dispute this. Neither should you), as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what word (or reason) have you all sent for me?”
30: And Cornelius said, “From the fourth day I was fasting until this hour (the text omits "fasting", and read "until this hour I was praying"); and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in shining clothing,
31: And said, ‘Cornelius, you prayer was heard, and your alms were remembered in the sight of God. (God appreciated him)
32: Send therefore to Joppa, and call to this place Simon, whose surname is Peter (see 7:14); he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he comes, shall speak to you.” (the text omits)
33: Immediately therefore I sent to you; and you did well done that you are come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded you by God.” (God does not exhibit partiality)
X g¹ 34-38. The Lord's Life.
h¹ 39-. Witnesses.
g² -39,40. The Lord's Death and Resurrection.
h² 41. Witnesses.
g³ 42. The Lord the Judge.
h³ 43. Witnesses.
34: Then Peter opened his mouth (see 8:35), and said, “Of a truth I perceive (see note on 4:13) that God is not a respecter of persons (Lit. One Who takes faces [i.e. persons] into account. Cp. James 2:9):
35: But in every nation he that reveres (or loves) Him, and works righteousness, is acceptable to Him.
36: The Word which God sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace by means of Jesus Christ: {He is Lord of all:} (Cornelius had no claim on Him as son of David. Cp. Matt. 15:22-28)
37: That Word, I say, you all know, which was published (Lit. came to be) throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed;
38: How God anointed Jesus from Nazareth (the Greek reads, "Jesus from Nazareth, how God anointed Him) with the Holy Spirit and with power (Gr. Dunamis): Who went about acting as a benefactor (cp. Luke 22:25, and see Acts 4:9), and healing (see Luke 6:17) all that were overpowered of the devil (see James 2:6. Cp. Luke 13:16. 2 Cor.12:7. Rev.2:10); for God was with Him. (Power always accompanies the Holy Spirit. He defeated Satan to show how it is done)
39: And we are witnesses (Gr. martur, see 1:8) of all things which He did both in the land of the Judea, and in Jerusalem;
whom they slew having hanged Him on a tree (see 5:30):
40: This One God raised up the third day, and showed Him openly (He didn't hide it. Lit. gave Him to be manifest, i.e. to be openly seen);
41: Not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before of God (documentation, cp.9:15. See also 14:23), even to us, who did eat and drink with Him after He rose from the dead (Gr. ek nekrõn. With Preposition, but without Article, which may be latent in the Preposition [ek nekrõn], it denotes out from among dead people).
42: And He commanded us (= charged, sent) to preach to the people, and to fully testify that it is He which was ordained of God to be the Judge (cp. Isa.53:11) of living and dead persons (Gr. nekrõs. Without the Article [nekroi] it denotes the persons who were once alive, but who are alive no longer: i.e. dead persons as distinct from dead bodied.).
43: To Him give all the prophets witness (= testify, as in v.42), that through His name whosoever believes in him shall receive forgiveness of sins.”
44: While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them which heard the word (i.e. the gospel message. Remember, they are at a Gentiles house).
45: And they of the circumcision (i.e. of Judah. Cp. 11:2. Rom.4:12; 15:8. Gal.2:12. Col.4:11. Tit.1:10. These were Jewish Christians, called "brethren", v.23, 11:12) which were faithful were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles (same as "nation", vv.22,35) also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit (see John 4:10. Well, how could Gentiles have this? Well, they’re all God’s children, alright!).
46: For they heard them speaking with tongues (Same as on Pentecost Day. Cp. 2:7,8. NOT UNKNOWN TONGUES), and magnifying God. Then answered Peter,
47: “Can any one forbid water (same word as "hinder" in 8:36), that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Spirit even as we also?” (Not something different. In other words, they received the same as Peter and the others did on Pentecost day. Christ told him, don’t leave Jerusalem; stay there until you receive it. So it was exactly like they spoke on Pentecost day, which means what? The voice that is heard in every dialect of the world, and no man can copy it. See 11:15)
48: And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
Then prayed they him to tarry certain days (they wanted more. See John 8:7 [continue]).