Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?
Read it in contextPeter's Vision and the Conversion of Cornelius
Start reading at Acts 10:1 (Acts 10:1 to Acts 10:48).
The true start of this discourse unit is Acts 10:9, detailing Peter's vision. However, for a fuller understanding, it is recommended to start at Acts 10:1, which introduces Cornelius and his vision, providing the complete divine orchestration leading to Peter's visit.
10:1There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
10:2A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
10:3He 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.
10:4And 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.
10:5And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:
10:6He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
10:7And 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;
10:8And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
10:9On 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:
10:10And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
10:11And 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:
10:12Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
10:13And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
10:14But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
10:15And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
10:16This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
10:17Now 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,
10:18And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
10:19While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.
10:20Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
10:21Then 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?
10:22And 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.
10:23Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
10:24And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.
10:25And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.
10:26But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
10:27And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.
10:28And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
10:29Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?
10:30And Cornelius 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,
10:31And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
10:32Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.
10:33Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.
10:34Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
10:35But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
10:36The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
10:37That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
10:38How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
10:39And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
10:40Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
10:41Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
10:42And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
10:43To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
10:44While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
10:45And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
10:46For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
10:47Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
10:48And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
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 main event or theme? Peter explains his immediate obedience in coming to the Gentiles, despite Jewish custom, due to God's prior revelation, and then directly asks for the reason he was summoned. The overarching theme is the breaking down of barriers between Jews and Gentiles in the early church, facilitated by divine instruction.
What is God revealing? God is revealing to Peter, and through him to the broader church, that He does not consider any person 'common or unclean,' thereby opening the way for the gospel to be preached to and accepted by Gentiles without requiring them to first convert to Judaism.
What is the literary style? The literary style is narrative history, specifically a speech delivered by Peter within the ongoing historical account of the early church.
When
When was it written? The book of Acts was written between approximately A.D. 62 and 64. book background
When does the event take place? The events described in Acts occurred between approximately A.D. 30 and 62. Peter's visit to Cornelius is generally placed in the earlier part of this period, likely in the mid-to-late 30s or early 40s A.D. book background
Where
Where did it happen? This event took place in Caesarea, where Cornelius resided. Peter had traveled there from Joppa. stated in the text
Where was the author located? The author, Luke, is traditionally believed to have been located in Rome when writing Acts. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Peter's Vision and the Conversion of Cornelius (Acts 10:9 to Acts 10:48).
Start reading at Acts 10:1. The true start of this discourse unit is Acts 10:9, detailing Peter's vision. However, for a fuller understanding, it is recommended to start at Acts 10:1, which introduces Cornelius and his vision, providing the complete divine orchestration leading to Peter's visit.
How
How does it fit the broader context? This verse is a crucial moment in the narrative, as Peter, having understood God's vision and the Spirit's command, acts on it by entering a Gentile home. It directly follows Peter's explanation of why he, a Jew, is willing to associate with Gentiles, setting the stage for the Holy Spirit's outpouring on the Gentiles and their inclusion in the church. stated in the text
How does it point to Christ? This event, driven by Peter's obedience to God's revelation, powerfully demonstrates Christ's universal lordship and the breaking down of the 'middle wall of partition' (Ephesians 2:14) between Jew and Gentile. It fulfills the Old Testament promise that in Abraham's seed all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3; Galatians 3:8), showing that Christ's redemptive work made unity and access to God possible for all people. interpretation
How do I apply it today? Believers today should emulate Peter's willingness to obey God's leading, even when it challenges long-held traditions or prejudices. We are called to extend the gospel and fellowship to all people, regardless of ethnicity, social status, or background, recognizing that God has cleansed and accepted all who fear Him and work righteousness through Christ. interpretation
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
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.
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Acts 10
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
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.
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.
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
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
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.
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.
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.
Connection to the wholeThe first missionary journey and the Jerusalem deliberation address the place of Gentile believers without making circumcision the entrance requirement.
Connection to the wholePaul and his companions travel through new regions and revisit churches, moving toward the journey to Jerusalem despite coming danger.
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.