哥尼流邀请彼得

10 在凯撒利亚有一位隶属意大利营的百夫长名叫哥尼流。 他和全家都是虔诚敬畏上帝的人,他慷慨周济穷人,常常祷告。 一天,大约下午三点,他在异象中清楚地看见一位上帝的天使进来呼唤他:“哥尼流!”

哥尼流惊恐地注视着他,问:“主啊,什么事?”

天使回答说:“你的祷告和周济穷人的善行已经在上帝面前蒙悦纳。 如今你要派人去约帕,请一个叫西门·彼得的人来。 他住在一个叫西门的皮革匠家里,房子在海边。”

向他说话的天使离开后,哥尼流叫来两个家仆和自己的一个敬虔侍卫, 把刚才的事告诉他们,然后差他们去约帕。

彼得见异象

第二天中午,他们快要到达约帕时,彼得上屋顶去祷告。 10 他觉得肚子饿了,想吃东西。那家人正在预备午饭的时候,彼得进入异象, 11 看见天开了,有一样东西好像一大块布,四角吊着降到地上, 12 里面有各种天上的飞禽、地上的爬虫和四足的走兽。 13 然后有声音对他说:“彼得,起来,宰了吃!”

14 彼得却说:“主啊!这可不行!我从未吃过任何污秽不洁之物。”

15 那声音又一次对他说:“上帝已经洁净的,你不可再称之为不洁净。” 16 这样一连三次之后,那块布就被收回天上去了。

17 彼得不知所措,正在猜测这异象到底是什么意思,哥尼流的仆人们刚好找来了, 18 正站在门口大声问西门·彼得是否住在这里。

19 彼得还在苦苦思索的时候,圣灵又对他说:“彼得,外面有三个人来找你, 20 快下楼跟他们去,不必多虑,他们是我差来的。” 21 彼得就下去见他们,说:“我就是你们要找的人,有什么事?”

22 他们说:“哥尼流百夫长是个又正直又敬畏上帝的人,连犹太人都称赞他。上帝的天使指示他请你到他家里去,好听你的指教。”

23 彼得就留他们住了一夜。第二天,彼得和他们以及几个约帕的弟兄一同出发了。 24 又过了一天,他们到达凯撒利亚。哥尼流已经请来亲朋好友,在等候他们。 25 他一看见彼得,就迎上去俯伏在他脚前拜他。 26 彼得连忙把他扶起来,说:“快起来,我只不过是人。”

27 彼得和他边走边谈,进屋后,见聚集了许多人, 28 就对他们说:“你们都知道,按照犹太人的传统,我们不可以和外族人来往。但上帝已经指示我不可把任何人视为污秽不洁。 29 所以,我受到邀请后,毫不犹豫地来了。请问你们为什么请我来?”

30 哥尼流说:“四天前,大约也是下午三点这个时候,我在家里祷告,忽然有一个身穿明亮衣服的人站在我面前, 31 说,‘哥尼流,上帝已经垂听了你的祷告,也悦纳你周济穷人的善行。 32 你派人去约帕把那位叫西门·彼得的人请来,他住在海边一个叫西门的皮革匠家。’ 33 于是我立刻派人去请你。你能来,真是荣幸,现在我们都在上帝面前,想聆听主吩咐你传给我们的话。”

福音临到外族人

34 彼得说:“现在我深深地明白,上帝不偏待人。 35 无论哪一个民族,只要敬畏祂,秉公行义,都会蒙祂接纳。 36 上帝借着万物的主宰——耶稣基督把平安的福音传给以色列人。 37 你们都知道,自从约翰宣讲洗礼以来,从加利利开始,整个犹太地区发生了什么事。 38 你们也知道,拿撒勒人耶稣是上帝用圣灵和大能膏立的。祂周游四方,广行善事,医好被魔鬼压制的人,因为上帝与祂同在。 39 我们亲眼目睹了耶稣在犹太全境和耶路撒冷所做的一切。可是,世人却把祂钉死在十字架上。 40 但第三天,上帝使祂从死里复活,并且向人显现, 41 不是向所有的人显现,而是向被上帝预先拣选为祂做见证的人显现,就是我们这些在祂复活以后与祂一同吃喝过的人。 42 祂命令我们向世人传道,见证祂就是上帝指派来审判活人和死人的那位。 43 所有先知也都为祂做见证说,‘谁信祂,谁的罪就能借着祂的名得到赦免。’”

44 彼得还在说话的时候,圣灵就降临在每一个听道的人身上。 45 跟彼得一起来的那些严守割礼的信徒,看见圣灵的恩赐也浇灌到外族人身上,都很惊奇。 46 因为他们听见这些人又说方言又赞美上帝。于是彼得说: 47 “既然这些人已经和我们一样领受了圣灵,谁能阻止他们接受洗礼呢?” 48 彼得吩咐他们奉耶稣基督的名受洗。之后,他们又请彼得住了几天。

Cornelius’ Vision

10 Now there was a man in (A)Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was (B)called the Italian [a]cohort, a devout man and (C)one who feared God with all his household, and (D)made many charitable contributions to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually. About (E)the [b]ninth hour of the day he clearly saw (F)in a vision (G)an angel of God who had just come in and said to him, “Cornelius!” And he (H)looked at him intently and became terrified, and said, “What is it, lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and charitable gifts (I)have ascended (J)as a memorial offering before God. Now dispatch some men to (K)Joppa and send for a man named Simon, who is also called Peter; he is staying with a tanner named (L)Simon, whose house is by the sea.” When the angel who *spoke to him left, he summoned two of his [c]servants and a devout soldier from his personal attendants, and after he had explained everything to them, he sent them to (M)Joppa.

On the next day, as they were on their way and approaching the city, (N)Peter went up on (O)the [d]housetop about [e](P)the sixth hour to pray. 10 But he became hungry and wanted to eat; but while they were making preparations, he (Q)fell into a trance; 11 and he *saw (R)the sky opened up, and an [f]object like a great sheet coming down, lowered by four corners to the ground, 12 and on it were all kinds of four-footed animals and [g]crawling creatures of the earth and birds of the sky. 13 A voice came to him, “Get up, Peter, [h]kill and eat!” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, (S)Lord, for (T)I have never eaten anything [i]unholy and unclean.” 15 Again a voice came to him a second time, “(U)What God has cleansed, no longer [j]consider unholy.” 16 This happened three times, and immediately the [k]object was taken up into the sky.

17 Now while Peter was greatly perplexed in [l]mind as to what (V)the vision which he had seen might [m]mean, behold, (W)the men who had been sent by Cornelius had asked directions to Simon’s house, and they appeared at the gate; 18 and calling out, they were asking whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was staying there. 19 While Peter was reflecting on (X)the vision, (Y)the Spirit said to him, “Behold, [n]three men are looking for you. 20 But get up, go downstairs and (Z)accompany them [o]without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself.” 21 Peter went down to the men and said, “Behold, I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for which you have come?” 22 They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and (AA)God-fearing man well spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews, (AB)was divinely directed by a (AC)holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear [p](AD)a message from you.” 23 So he invited them in and gave them lodging.

Peter in Caesarea

Now on the next day he got ready and went away with them, and (AE)some of (AF)the brothers from (AG)Joppa accompanied him. 24 On the following day he entered (AH)Caesarea. Now Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell at his feet and [q](AI)worshiped him. 26 But Peter helped him up, saying, “(AJ)Stand up; I, too, am just a man.” 27 As he talked with him, he entered and *found (AK)many people assembled. 28 And he said to them, “You yourselves know that it is (AL)forbidden for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a [r]foreigner; and yet (AM)God has shown me that I am not to call any person [s]unholy or unclean. 29 That is why I came without even raising any objection when I was sent for. So I ask, for what reason did you send for me?”

30 Cornelius said, “(AN)Four days ago to this hour, I was praying in my house during (AO)the [t]ninth hour; and behold, (AP)a man stood before me in shining clothing, 31 and he *said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your charitable gifts have been remembered before God. 32 Therefore send some men to (AQ)Joppa and invite Simon, who is also called Peter, to come to you; he is staying at the house of Simon the tanner, by the sea.’ 33 So I sent men to you immediately, and you have [u]been kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here present before God to hear everything that you have been commanded by the Lord.”

Gentiles Hear Good News

34 (AR)Opening his mouth, Peter said:

“I most certainly understand now that (AS)God is not one to show partiality, 35 but (AT)in every nation the one who [v](AU)fears Him and [w]does what is right is acceptable to Him. 36 The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, (AV)preaching [x](AW)peace through Jesus Christ (He is (AX)Lord of all)— 37 you yourselves know the thing that happened throughout Judea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed. 38 [y]You know of (AY)Jesus of Nazareth, how God (AZ)anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, [z](BA)and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for (BB)God was with Him. 39 We are (BC)witnesses of all the things that He did both in the [aa]country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on [ab](BD)a cross. 40 (BE)God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He [ac]be revealed, 41 (BF)not to all the people, but to (BG)witnesses who had been chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us (BH)who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 And He (BI)ordered us to [ad]preach to the people, and to (BJ)testify solemnly that this is the One who has been (BK)appointed by God as (BL)Judge of the living and the dead. 43 (BM)All the prophets testify of Him, that through (BN)His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.”

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, (BO)the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the [ae]message. 45 (BP)All the [af]Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had also been (BQ)poured out on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them (BR)speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter responded, 47 (BS)Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized, who (BT)have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” 48 And he (BU)ordered them to be baptized (BV)in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 10:1 Normally 600 men (the number varied)
  2. Acts 10:3 I.e., 3 p.m.
  3. Acts 10:7 Or household slaves
  4. Acts 10:9 Housetops were flat living areas
  5. Acts 10:9 I.e., noon
  6. Acts 10:11 Or vessel
  7. Acts 10:12 Or reptiles
  8. Acts 10:13 Or sacrifice
  9. Acts 10:14 Or profane; lit common
  10. Acts 10:15 Lit make common
  11. Acts 10:16 Or vessel
  12. Acts 10:17 Lit himself
  13. Acts 10:17 Lit be
  14. Acts 10:19 One early ms two
  15. Acts 10:20 Lit doubting nothing
  16. Acts 10:22 Lit words
  17. Acts 10:25 Or prostrated himself in reverence
  18. Acts 10:28 I.e., Gentile
  19. Acts 10:28 Or profane; lit common
  20. Acts 10:30 I.e., 3 to 4 p.m.
  21. Acts 10:33 Lit done well in coming
  22. Acts 10:35 Or reveres
  23. Acts 10:35 Lit works righteousness
  24. Acts 10:36 Or the gospel of peace
  25. Acts 10:38 Or How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth
  26. Acts 10:38 Lit who went
  27. Acts 10:39 Or countryside
  28. Acts 10:39 Lit wood; see Deut 21:23
  29. Acts 10:40 Lit become visible
  30. Acts 10:42 Or proclaim
  31. Acts 10:44 Lit word
  32. Acts 10:45 Lit believers from the circumcision

Peter Visits Cornelius

10 Now there was a man in Caesarea[a] named Cornelius, a centurion[b] of what was known as the Italian Cohort.[c] He[d] was a devout, God-fearing man,[e] as was all his household; he did many acts of charity for the people[f] and prayed to God regularly. About three o’clock one afternoon[g] he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God[h] who came in[i] and said to him, “Cornelius.” Staring at him and becoming greatly afraid, Cornelius[j] replied,[k] “What is it, Lord?” The angel[l] said to him, “Your prayers and your acts of charity[m] have gone up as a memorial[n] before God. Now[o] send men to Joppa[p] and summon a man named Simon,[q] who is called Peter. This man is staying as a guest with a man named Simon, a tanner,[r] whose house is by the sea.” When the angel who had spoken to him departed, Cornelius[s] called two of his personal servants[t] and a devout soldier from among those who served him,[u] and when he had explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

About noon[v] the next day, while they were on their way and approaching[w] the city, Peter went up on the roof[x] to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted to eat, but while they were preparing the meal, a trance came over him.[y] 11 He[z] saw heaven[aa] opened[ab] and an object something like a large sheet[ac] descending,[ad] being let down to earth[ae] by its four corners. 12 In it[af] were all kinds of four-footed animals and reptiles[ag] of the earth and wild birds.[ah] 13 Then[ai] a voice said[aj] to him, “Get up, Peter; slaughter[ak] and eat!” 14 But Peter said, “Certainly not, Lord, for I have never eaten anything defiled and ritually unclean!”[al] 15 The voice[am] spoke to him again, a second time, “What God has made clean, you must not consider[an] ritually unclean!”[ao] 16 This happened three times, and immediately the object was taken up into heaven.[ap]

17 Now while Peter was puzzling over[aq] what the vision he had seen could signify, the men sent by Cornelius had learned where Simon’s house was[ar] and approached[as] the gate. 18 They[at] called out to ask if Simon, known as Peter,[au] was staying there as a guest. 19 While Peter was still thinking seriously about[av] the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Look! Three men are looking for you. 20 But get up,[aw] go down, and accompany them without hesitation,[ax] because I have sent them.” 21 So Peter went down[ay] to the men and said, “Here I am,[az] the person you’re looking for. Why have you come?” 22 They said, “Cornelius the centurion,[ba] a righteous[bb] and God-fearing man, well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation,[bc] was directed by a holy angel to summon you to his house and to hear a message[bd] from you.” 23 So Peter[be] invited them in and entertained them as guests.

On the next day he got up and set out[bf] with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa[bg] accompanied him. 24 The following day[bh] he entered Caesarea.[bi] Now Cornelius was waiting anxiously[bj] for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 So when[bk] Peter came in, Cornelius met[bl] him, fell[bm] at his feet, and worshiped[bn] him. 26 But Peter helped him up,[bo] saying, “Stand up. I too am a mere mortal.”[bp] 27 Peter[bq] continued talking with him as he went in, and he found many people gathered together.[br] 28 He said to them, “You know that[bs] it is unlawful[bt] for a Jew[bu] to associate with or visit a Gentile,[bv] yet God has shown me that I should call no person[bw] defiled or ritually unclean.[bx] 29 Therefore when you sent for me,[by] I came without any objection. Now may I ask why[bz] you sent for me?” 30 Cornelius[ca] replied,[cb] “Four days ago at this very hour, at three o’clock in the afternoon,[cc] I was praying in my house, and suddenly[cd] a man in shining clothing stood before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your acts of charity[ce] have been remembered before God.[cf] 32 Therefore send to Joppa and summon Simon, who is called Peter. This man is staying as a guest in the house of Simon the tanner,[cg] by the sea.’ 33 Therefore I sent for you at once, and you were kind enough to come.[ch] So now we are all here in the presence of God[ci] to listen[cj] to everything the Lord has commanded you to say to us.”[ck]

34 Then Peter started speaking:[cl] “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism in dealing with people,[cm] 35 but in every nation[cn] the person who fears him[co] and does what is right[cp] is welcomed before him. 36 You know[cq] the message[cr] he sent to the people[cs] of Israel, proclaiming the good news of peace[ct] through[cu] Jesus Christ[cv] (he is Lord[cw] of all)— 37 you know what happened throughout Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John announced:[cx] 38 with respect to Jesus from Nazareth,[cy] that[cz] God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power. He[da] went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil,[db] because God was with him.[dc] 39 We[dd] are witnesses of all the things he did both in Judea[de] and in Jerusalem. They[df] killed him by hanging him on a tree,[dg] 40 but[dh] God raised him up on the third day and caused him to be seen,[di] 41 not by all the people, but by us, the witnesses God had already chosen,[dj] who ate and drank[dk] with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He[dl] commanded us to preach to the people and to warn[dm] them[dn] that he is the one[do] appointed[dp] by God as judge[dq] of the living and the dead. 43 About him all the prophets testify,[dr] that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins[ds] through his name.”

The Gentiles Receive the Holy Spirit

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on[dt] all those who heard the message.[du] 45 The[dv] circumcised believers[dw] who had accompanied Peter were greatly astonished[dx] that[dy] the gift of the Holy Spirit[dz] had been poured out[ea] even on the Gentiles, 46 for they heard them speaking in tongues and praising[eb] God. Then Peter said, 47 “No one can withhold the water for these people to be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did,[ec] can he?”[ed] 48 So he gave orders to have them baptized[ee] in the name of Jesus Christ.[ef] Then they asked him to stay for several days.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 10:1 sn Caesarea was a city on the coast of Palestine south of Mount Carmel (not Caesarea Philippi). It was known as “Caesarea by the sea” (BDAG 499 s.v. Καισάρεια 2). Largely Gentile, it was a center of Roman administration and the location of many of Herod the Great’s building projects (Josephus, Ant. 15.9.6 [15.331-341]).
  2. Acts 10:1 sn A centurion was a noncommissioned officer in the Roman army or one of the auxiliary territorial armies, commanding a centuria of (nominally) 100 men. The responsibilities of centurions were broadly similar to modern junior officers, but there was a wide gap in social status between them and officers, and relatively few were promoted beyond the rank of senior centurion. The Roman troops stationed in Judea were auxiliaries, who would normally be rewarded with Roman citizenship after 25 years of service. Some of the centurions throughout the region may have served originally in the Roman legions (regular army) and thus gained their citizenship at enlistment. Others may have inherited it, like the apostle Paul did (cf. Acts 22:28).
  3. Acts 10:1 sn A cohort was a Roman military unit of about 600 soldiers, one-tenth of a legion (BDAG 936 s.v. σπεῖρα). The Italian Cohort has been identified as cohors II Italica which is known to have been stationed in Syria in a.d. 88.
  4. Acts 10:2 tn In the Greek text this represents a continuation of the previous sentence. Because of the tendency of contemporary English to use shorter sentences, a new sentence was begun here in the translation.
  5. Acts 10:2 sn The description of Cornelius as a devout, God-fearing man probably means that he belonged to the category called “God-fearers,” Gentiles who worshiped the God of Israel and in many cases kept the Mosaic law, but did not take the final step of circumcision necessary to become a proselyte to Judaism. See further K. G. Kuhn, TDNT 6:732-34, 43-44, and Sir 11:17; 27:11; 39:27.
  6. Acts 10:2 tn Or “gave many gifts to the poor.” This was known as “giving alms,” or acts of mercy (Sir 7:10; BDAG 315-16 s.v. ἐλεημοσύνη).
  7. Acts 10:3 tn Grk “at about the ninth hour of the day.” This would be the time for afternoon prayer.
  8. Acts 10:3 tn Or “the angel of God.” Linguistically, “angel of God” is the same in both testaments (and thus, he is either “an angel of God” or “the angel of God” in both testaments). For arguments and implications, see ExSyn 252; M. J. Davidson, “Angels,” DJG, 9; W. G. MacDonald argues for “an angel” in both testaments: “Christology and ‘The Angel of the Lord’,” Current Issues in Biblical and Patristic Interpretation, 324-35.
  9. Acts 10:3 tn The participles εἰσελθόντα (eiselthonta) and εἰπόντα (eiponta) are accusative, and thus best taken as adjectival participles modifying ἄγγελον (angelon): “an angel who came in and said.”
  10. Acts 10:4 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Cornelius) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  11. Acts 10:4 tn Grk “said,” but in response to the angel’s address, “replied” is better English style.
  12. Acts 10:4 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the angel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  13. Acts 10:4 tn Or “your gifts to the needy.”
  14. Acts 10:4 sn The language used in the expression gone up as a memorial before God parallels what one would say of acceptable sacrifices (Ps 141:2; Sir 35:6; 50:16).
  15. Acts 10:5 tn Grk “And now.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
  16. Acts 10:5 sn Joppa was a seaport on the Philistine coast, in the same location as modern Jaffa.
  17. Acts 10:5 tn Grk “a certain Simon.”
  18. Acts 10:6 tn Or “with a certain Simon Berseus.” Although most modern English translations treat βυρσεῖ (bursei) as Simon’s profession (“Simon the tanner”), it is possible that the word is actually Simon’s surname (“Simon Berseus” or “Simon Tanner”). BDAG 185 s.v. βυρσεύς regards it as a surname. See also MM 118.
  19. Acts 10:7 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Cornelius) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  20. Acts 10:7 tn Or “domestic servants.” The Greek word here is οἰκέτης (oiketēs), which technically refers to a member of the household, but usually means a household servant (slave) or personal servant rather than a field laborer.
  21. Acts 10:7 tn The meaning of the genitive participle προσκαρτερούντων (proskarterountōn) could either be “a soldier from the ranks of those who served him” (referring to his entire command) or “a soldier from among his personal staff” (referring to a group of soldiers who were his personal attendants). The translation “from among those who served him” is general enough to cover either possibility.
  22. Acts 10:9 tn Grk “about the sixth hour.”
  23. Acts 10:9 tn The participles ὁδοιπορούντων (hodoiporountōn, “while they were on their way”) and ἐγγιζόντων (engizontōn, “approaching”) have been translated as temporal participles.
  24. Acts 10:9 sn Went up on the roof. Most of the roofs in the NT were flat roofs made of pounded dirt, sometimes mixed with lime or stones, supported by heavy wooden beams. They generally had an easy means of access, either a sturdy wooden ladder or stone stairway, sometimes on the outside of the house.
  25. Acts 10:10 tn The traditional translation, “he fell into a trance,” is somewhat idiomatic; it is based on the textual variant ἐπέπεσεν (epepesen, “he fell”) found in the Byzantine text but almost certainly not original.
  26. Acts 10:11 tn Grk “And he.” Because of the length of the Greek sentence, the conjunction καί (kai) has not been translated here. Instead a new English sentence is begun.
  27. Acts 10:11 tn Or “the sky” (the same Greek word means both “heaven” and “sky”).
  28. Acts 10:11 tn On the heavens “opening,” see Matt 3:16; Luke 3:21; Rev 19:11 (cf. BDAG 84 s.v. ἀνοίγω 2). This is the language of a vision or a revelatory act of God.
  29. Acts 10:11 tn Or “a large linen cloth” (the term was used for the sail of a ship; BDAG 693 s.v. ὀθόνη).
  30. Acts 10:11 tn Or “coming down.”
  31. Acts 10:11 tn Or “to the ground.”
  32. Acts 10:12 tn Grk “in which.” The relative pronoun was replaced by the pronoun “it,” and a new sentence was begun in the translation at this point to improve the English style.
  33. Acts 10:12 tn Or “snakes.” Grk “creeping things.” According to L&N 4.51, in most biblical contexts the term (due to the influence of Hebrew classifications such as Gen 1:25-26, 30) included small four-footed animals like rats, mice, frogs, toads, salamanders, and lizards. In this context, however, where “creeping things” are contrasted with “four-footed animals,” the English word “reptiles,” which primarily but not exclusively designates snakes, is probably more appropriate. See also Gen 6:20, as well as the law making such creatures unclean food in Lev 11:2-47.
  34. Acts 10:12 tn Grk “the birds of the sky” or “the birds of the heaven”; the Greek word οὐρανός (ouranos) may be translated either “sky” or “heaven,” depending on the context. The idiomatic expression “birds of the sky” refers to wild birds as opposed to domesticated fowl (cf. BDAG 809 s.v. πετεινόν).
  35. Acts 10:13 tn Grk “And there came.” The introductory phrase ἐγένετο (egeneto, “it happened that”), common in Luke (69 times) and Acts (54 times), is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.
  36. Acts 10:13 tn Grk “a voice to him”; the word “said” is not in the Greek text but is implied.
  37. Acts 10:13 tn Or “kill.” Traditionally θῦσον (thuson) is translated “kill,” but in the case of animals intended for food, “slaughter” is more appropriate.
  38. Acts 10:14 tn Possibly there is a subtle distinction in meaning between κοινός (koinos) and ἀκάθαρτος (akathartos) here, but according to L&N 53.39 it is difficult to determine precise differences in meaning based on existing contexts.sn Peter insisted he would not violate the law by eating anything defiled and ritually unclean. These food laws were one of the practices that distinguished Jews from their Gentile neighbors. The practice made table fellowship with Gentiles awkward. For an example of Jewish attitudes to this, see Dan 1:8-16; 1 Macc 1:41-64; Letter of Aristeas 142; Tacitus, History 5.5.
  39. Acts 10:15 tn Grk “And the voice.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
  40. Acts 10:15 tn Or “declare.”
  41. Acts 10:15 sn For the significance of this vision see Mark 7:14-23; Rom 14:14; Eph 2:11-22. God directed this change in practice.
  42. Acts 10:16 tn Or “into the sky” (the same Greek word means both “heaven” and “sky”).
  43. Acts 10:17 tn Or “was greatly confused over.” The term means to be perplexed or at a loss (BDAG 235 s.v. διαπορέω).
  44. Acts 10:17 tn Grk “having learned.” The participle διερωτήσαντες (dierōtēsantes) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
  45. Acts 10:17 tn BDAG 418 s.v. ἐφίστημι 1 has “ἐπί τι approach or stand by someth. (Sir 41:24) Ac 10:17.”sn As Peter puzzled over the meaning of the vision, the messengers from Cornelius approached the gate. God’s direction here had a sense of explanatory timing.
  46. Acts 10:18 tn Grk “and.” Because of the length of the Greek sentence, the conjunction καί (kai) has not been translated here. Instead a new English sentence is begun by supplying the pronoun “they” as the subject of the following verb.
  47. Acts 10:18 tn Grk “Simon, the one called Peter.” This qualification was necessary because the owner of the house was also named Simon (Acts 9:43).
  48. Acts 10:19 tn The translation “think seriously about” for διενθυμέομαι (dienthumeomai) is given in L&N 30.2. Peter was “pondering” the vision (BDAG 244 s.v.).
  49. Acts 10:20 tn Grk “But getting up, go down.” The participle ἀναστάς (anastas) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
  50. Acts 10:20 tn The term means “without doubting” or “without deliberation.” It is a term of conscience and discernment. In effect, Peter is to listen to them rather than hesitate (BDAG 231 s.v. διακρίνω 6).
  51. Acts 10:21 tn Grk “Peter going down to the men, said.” The participle καταβάς (katabas) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
  52. Acts 10:21 tn Grk “Behold, it is I whom you seek,” or “Behold, I am the one you seek.” “Here I am” is used to translate ἰδοὺ ἐγώ εἰμι (idou egō eimi).
  53. Acts 10:22 sn See the note on the word centurion in 10:1.
  54. Acts 10:22 tn Or “just.”
  55. Acts 10:22 tn The phrase τοῦ ἔθνους τῶν ᾿Ιουδαίων (tou ethnous tōn Ioudaiōn) is virtually a technical term for the Jewish nation (1 Macc 10:25; 11:30, 33; Josephus, Ant. 14.10.22 [14.248]). “All the Jewish people,” while another possible translation of the Greek phrase, does not convey the technical sense of a reference to the nation in English.sn The long introduction of Cornelius by his messengers is an attempt to commend this Gentile to his Jewish counterpart, which would normally be important to do in the culture of the time.
  56. Acts 10:22 tn Grk “hear words.”
  57. Acts 10:23 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Peter) has been specified in the translation for clarity.sn When Peter entertained them as guests, he performed a culturally significant act denoting acceptance.
  58. Acts 10:23 tn Or “went forth.”
  59. Acts 10:23 sn Some of the brothers from Joppa. As v. 45 makes clear, there were Jewish Christians in this group of witnesses.
  60. Acts 10:24 tn Grk “On the next day,” but since this phrase has already occurred in v. 23, it would be redundant in English to use it again here.
  61. Acts 10:24 sn Caesarea was a city on the coast of Palestine south of Mount Carmel (not Caesarea Philippi).
  62. Acts 10:24 tn Normally προσδοκάω (prosdokaō) means “to wait with apprehension or anxiety for something,” often with the implication of impending danger or trouble (L&N 25.228), but in this context the anxiety Cornelius would have felt came from the importance of the forthcoming message as announced by the angel.
  63. Acts 10:25 tn Grk “So it happened that when.” The introductory phrase ἐγένετο (egeneto, “it happened that”), common in Luke (69 times) and Acts (54 times), is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.
  64. Acts 10:25 tn Grk “meeting him.” The participle συναντήσας (sunantēsas) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
  65. Acts 10:25 tn Grk “falling at his feet, worshiped.” The participle πεσών (pesōn) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
  66. Acts 10:25 sn When Cornelius worshiped Peter, it showed his piety and his respect for Peter, but it was an act based on ignorance, as Peter’s remark in v. 26 indicates.
  67. Acts 10:26 tn BDAG 271 s.v. ἐγείρω 3 has “raise, help to rise….Stretched out Ac 10:26.”
  68. Acts 10:26 tn Although it is certainly true that Peter was a “man,” here ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) has been translated as “mere mortal” because the emphasis in context is not on Peter’s maleness, but his humanity. Contrary to what Cornelius thought, Peter was not a god or an angelic being, but a mere mortal.
  69. Acts 10:27 tn Grk “And he”; the referent (Peter) has been specified in the translation for clarity. Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
  70. Acts 10:27 tn Or “many people assembled.”
  71. Acts 10:28 tn Here ὡς (hōs) is used like ὅτι (hoti) to introduce indirect discourse (cf. BDAG 1105 s.v. ὡς 5).
  72. Acts 10:28 tn This term is used of wanton or callously lawless acts (BDAG 24 s.v. ἀθέμιτος).
  73. Acts 10:28 tn Grk “a Jewish man” (ἀνδρὶ ᾿Ιουδαίῳ, andri Ioudaiō).
  74. Acts 10:28 tn Grk “a foreigner,” but in this context, “a non-Jew,” that is, a Gentile. This term speaks of intimate association (BDAG 556 s.v. κολλάω 2.b.α). On this Jewish view, see John 18:28, where a visit to a Gentile residence makes a Jewish person unclean.
  75. Acts 10:28 tn This is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos).
  76. Acts 10:28 tn Possibly there is a subtle distinction in meaning between κοινός (koinos) and ἀκάθαρτος (akathartos) here, but according to L&N 53.39 it is difficult to determine precise differences in meaning based on existing contexts.sn God has shown me…unclean. Peter sees the significance of his vision as not about food, but about open fellowship between Jewish Christians and Gentiles.
  77. Acts 10:29 tn Grk “Therefore when I was sent for.” The passive participle μεταπεμφθείς (metapemphtheis) has been taken temporally and converted to an active construction which is less awkward in English.
  78. Acts 10:29 tn Grk “ask for what reason.”
  79. Acts 10:30 tn Grk “And Cornelius.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
  80. Acts 10:30 tn Grk “said.”
  81. Acts 10:30 tn Grk “at the ninth hour.” Again, this is the hour of afternoon prayer.
  82. Acts 10:30 tn Grk “and behold.” The interjection ἰδού (idou) is difficult at times to translate into English. Here it has been translated as “suddenly” to convey the force of Cornelius’ account of the angel’s appearance.
  83. Acts 10:31 tn Or “your gifts to the needy.”
  84. Acts 10:31 sn This statement is a paraphrase rather than an exact quotation of Acts 10:4.
  85. Acts 10:32 tn Or “with a certain Simon Berseus.” Although most modern English translations treat βυρσεῖ (bursei) as Simon’s profession (“Simon the tanner”), it is possible that the word is actually Simon’s surname (“Simon Berseus” or “Simon Tanner”). BDAG 185 s.v. βυρσεύς regards it as a surname.
  86. Acts 10:33 tn Grk “you have done well by coming.” The idiom καλῶς ποιεῖν (kalōs poiein) is translated “be kind enough to do someth.” by BDAG 505-6 s.v. καλῶς 4.a. The participle παραγενόμενος (paragenomenos) has been translated as an English infinitive due to the nature of the English idiom (“kind enough to” + infinitive).
  87. Acts 10:33 tn The translation “we are here in the presence of God” for ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ πάρεσμεν (enōpion tou theou paresmen) is given by BDAG 773 s.v. πάρειμι 1.a.
  88. Acts 10:33 tn Or “to hear everything.”
  89. Acts 10:33 tn The words “to say to us” are not in the Greek text, but are implied. Cornelius knows Peter is God’s representative, bringing God’s message.
  90. Acts 10:34 tn Grk “Opening his mouth Peter said” (a Semitic idiom for beginning to speak in a somewhat formal manner). The participle ἀνοίξας (anoixas) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
  91. Acts 10:34 tn Grk “God is not one who is a respecter of persons,” that is, “God is not one to show partiality” (cf. BDAG 887 s.v. προσωπολήμπτης). L&N 88.239 translates this verse “I realize that God does not show favoritism (in dealing with people).” The underlying Hebrew idiom includes the personal element (“respecter of persons”) so the phrase “in dealing with people” is included in the present translation. It fits very well with the following context and serves to emphasize the relational component of God’s lack of partiality. The latter is a major theme in the NT: Rom 2:11; Eph 2:11-22; Col 3:25; Jas 2:1; 1 Pet 1:17. This was the lesson of Peter’s vision.
  92. Acts 10:35 sn See Luke 24:47.
  93. Acts 10:35 tn Or “shows reverence for him.”
  94. Acts 10:35 tn Grk “works righteousness”; the translation “does what is right” for this phrase in this verse is given by L&N 25.85.sn Note how faith and response are linked here by the phrase and does what is right.
  95. Acts 10:36 tn The subject and verb (“you know”) do not actually occur until the following verse, but have been repeated here because of the requirements of English word order.
  96. Acts 10:36 tn Grk “the word.”
  97. Acts 10:36 tn Grk “to the sons.”
  98. Acts 10:36 sn Peace is a key OT concept: Isa 52:7; Nah 1:15; also for Luke: Luke 1:79; 2:14; Acts 9:31. See also the similar phrase in Eph 2:17.
  99. Acts 10:36 tn Or “by.”
  100. Acts 10:36 tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”
  101. Acts 10:36 sn He is Lord of all. Though a parenthetical remark, this is the theological key to the speech. Jesus is Lord of all, so the gospel can go to all. The rest of the speech proclaims Jesus’ authority.
  102. Acts 10:37 tn Or “proclaimed.”
  103. Acts 10:38 sn The somewhat awkward naming of Jesus as from Nazareth here is actually emphatic. He is the key subject of these key events.
  104. Acts 10:38 tn Or “how.” The use of ὡς (hōs) as an equivalent to ὅτι (hoti) to introduce indirect or even direct discourse is well documented. BDAG 1105 s.v. ὡς 5 lists Acts 10:28 in this category.
  105. Acts 10:38 tn Grk “power, who.” The relative pronoun was replaced by the pronoun “he,” and a new sentence was begun in the translation at this point to improve the English style, due to the length of the sentence in Greek.
  106. Acts 10:38 tn The translation “healing all who were oppressed by the devil” is given in L&N 22.22.sn All who were oppressed by the devil. Note how healing is tied to the cosmic battle present in creation. Christ’s power overcomes the devil and his forces, which seek to destroy humanity.
  107. Acts 10:38 sn See Acts 7:9.
  108. Acts 10:39 tn Grk “And we.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
  109. Acts 10:39 tn Grk “the land of the Jews,” but this is similar to the phrase used as the name of the province of Judea in 1 Macc 8:3 (see BDAG 1093-94 s.v. χώρα 2.b).
  110. Acts 10:39 tn Grk “in Jerusalem, whom they killed.” The relative pronoun was replaced by the pronoun “him” and a new sentence was begun in the translation at this point to improve the English style, due to the length of the sentence in Greek.
  111. Acts 10:39 tn Or “by crucifying him” (“hang on a tree” is by the time of the 1st century an idiom for crucifixion). The allusion is to the judgment against Jesus as a rebellious figure, appealing to the language of Deut 21:23. The Jewish leadership has badly “misjudged” Jesus.
  112. Acts 10:40 tn The conjunction “but” is not in the Greek text, but the contrast is clearly implied in the context. This is technically asyndeton, or lack of a connective, in Greek.
  113. Acts 10:40 tn Grk “and granted that he should become visible.” The literal Greek idiom is somewhat awkward in English. L&N 24.22 offers the translation “caused him to be seen” for this verse.
  114. Acts 10:41 tn Or “the witnesses God had previously chosen.” See Acts 1:8.
  115. Acts 10:41 sn Ate and drank. See Luke 24:35-49.
  116. Acts 10:42 tn Grk “and he.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
  117. Acts 10:42 tn The verb διαμαρτύρομαι (diamarturomai) can mean “warn,” and such a meaning is highly probable in this context where a reference to the judgment of both the living and the dead is present. The more general meaning “to testify solemnly” does not capture this nuance.
  118. Acts 10:42 tn The word “them” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.
  119. Acts 10:42 tn Grk “that this one is the one,” but this is awkward in English and has been simplified to “that he is the one.”
  120. Acts 10:42 tn Or “designated.” BDAG 723 s.v. ὁρίζω 2.b has “the one appointed by God as judge” for this phrase.
  121. Acts 10:42 sn Jesus has divine authority as judge over the living and the dead: Acts 17:26-31; Rom 14:9; 1 Thess 5:9-10; 1 Tim 4:1; 1 Pet 4:5.
  122. Acts 10:43 tn Or “All the prophets testify about him.” Although modern English translations tend to place “about him” after “testify” (so NIV, NRSV) the phrase “about him” has been left at the beginning of v. 43 for emphatic reasons.
  123. Acts 10:43 sn Forgiveness of sins. See Luke 24:47; also Acts 14:23; 19:4; 9:42; 11:17; 16:31. The gospel is present in the prophetic promise, Rom 1:1-7. The message is in continuity with the ancient hope.
  124. Acts 10:44 tn Or “came down on.” God now acted to confirm the point of Peter’s speech.
  125. Acts 10:44 tn Or “word.”
  126. Acts 10:45 tn Grk “And the.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
  127. Acts 10:45 tn Or “The Jewish Christians”; Grk “The believers from the circumcision.”
  128. Acts 10:45 sn The Jewish Christians who were with Peter were greatly astonished because they thought the promise of the Spirit would be limited only to those of Israel. God’s plan was taking on fresh dimensions even as it was a reflection of what the prophets had promised.
  129. Acts 10:45 tn Or “because.”
  130. Acts 10:45 tn That is, the gift consisting of the Holy Spirit. Here τοῦ πνεύματος (tou pneumatos) is a genitive of apposition; the gift consists of the Spirit.
  131. Acts 10:45 sn The gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out. Cf. the account in Acts 2, especially 2:33. Note also Joel 2:17-21 and Acts 11:15-18.
  132. Acts 10:46 tn Or “extolling,” “magnifying.”
  133. Acts 10:47 tn Grk “just as also we.” The auxiliary verb in English must be supplied. This could be either “have” (NIV, NRSV) or “did” (NASB). “Did” is preferred here because the comparison Peter is making concerns not just the fact of the present possession of the Spirit (“they received the Spirit we now possess”), but the manner in which the Gentiles in Cornelius’ house received the Spirit (“they received the Spirit in the same manner we did [on the day of Pentecost]”).
  134. Acts 10:47 tn The Greek construction anticipates a negative reply which is indicated in the translation by the ‘tag’ question, “can he?” The question is rhetorical. Peter was saying these Gentiles should be baptized since God had confirmed they were his.
  135. Acts 10:48 tn The Greek construction (passive infinitive with accusative subject) could be translated either “he ordered them to be baptized” or “he ordered that they be baptized,” but the implication in English in either case is that Peter was giving orders to the Gentiles in Cornelius’ house, telling them to get baptized. It is much more likely in the context that Peter was ordering those Jewish Christians who accompanied him to baptize the new Gentile converts. They would doubtless have still had misgivings even after witnessing the outpouring of the Spirit and hearing the tongues. It took Peter’s apostolic authority (“ordered”) to convince them to perform the baptisms.
  136. Acts 10:48 tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.” Jesus’ right to judge as the provider of forgiveness is highlighted here.