Cornelius’s Vision

10 There was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment.(A) He was a devout man and feared God along with his whole household. He did many charitable deeds for the Jewish people and always prayed to God.(B) About three in the afternoon[a] he distinctly saw in a vision an angel of God who came in and said to him, “Cornelius!”(C)

Looking intently at him, he became afraid and said, “What is it, lord?”

The angel told him, “Your prayers and your acts of charity have come up as a memorial offering before God.(D) Now send men to Joppa and call for Simon, who is also named Peter. He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.”(E)

When the angel who spoke to him had gone, he called two of his household slaves and a devout soldier, who was one of those who attended him. After explaining everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

Peter’s Vision

The(F) next day, as they were traveling and nearing the city, Peter went up to pray on the housetop(G) about noon.[b] 10 Then he became hungry and wanted to eat, but while they were preparing something, he went into a visionary state. 11 He saw heaven opened(H) and an object that resembled a large sheet coming down, being lowered by its four corners to the earth. 12 In it were all the four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth, and the birds of the sky. 13 Then a voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat!”

14 “No, Lord!” Peter said. “For I have never eaten anything common[c] and ritually unclean!”(I)

15 Again, a second time, a voice said to him, “What God has made clean, you must not call common.”(J) 16 This happened three times, and then the object was taken up into heaven.

Peter Visits Cornelius

17 While Peter was deeply perplexed about what the vision he had seen might mean, the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked directions to Simon’s house, stood at the gate. 18 They called out, asking if Simon, who was also named Peter, was lodging there.

19 While Peter was thinking about the vision, the Spirit told him, “Three men are here looking for you.(K) 20 Get up, go downstairs, and accompany them with no doubts at all, because I have sent them.”(L)

21 Then Peter went down to the men and said, “Here I am, the one you’re looking for. What is the reason you’re here?”

22 They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who has a good reputation with the whole Jewish nation, was divinely directed by a holy angel to call you to his house and to hear a message from you.”(M) 23 Peter then invited them in and gave them lodging.

The next day he got up and set out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went with him.(N) 24 The following day he entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and worshiped him.

26 But Peter helped him up and said, “Stand up! I myself am also a man.”(O) 27 While talking with him, he went on in and found that many had come together there. 28 Peter said to them, “You know it’s forbidden for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a foreigner.(P) But God has shown me that I must not call any person common or unclean.(Q) 29 That’s why I came without any objection when I was sent for. So I ask: Why did you send for me?”

30 Cornelius replied, “Four days ago at this hour, at three in the afternoon,[d] I was[e] praying in my house. Just then a man in a dazzling robe stood before me(R) 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your acts of charity have been remembered in God’s sight. 32 Therefore send someone to Joppa and invite Simon here, who is also named Peter. He is lodging in Simon the tanner’s house by the sea.’[f] 33 Therefore I immediately sent for you, and you did the right thing in coming. So we are all present before God, to hear everything you have been commanded by the Lord.”

Good News for Gentiles

34 Then Peter began to speak: “Now I really understand that God doesn’t show favoritism,(S) 35 but in every nation the person who fears Him and does righteousness is acceptable to Him. 36 He sent the message to the Israelites, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all.(T) 37 You know the events[g] that took place throughout Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John preached: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were under the tyranny of the Devil, because God was with Him.(U) 39 We ourselves are witnesses of everything He did in both the Judean country and in Jerusalem, yet they killed Him by hanging Him on a tree.(V) 40 God raised up this man on the third day and permitted Him to be seen, 41 not by all the people, but by us, witnesses appointed beforehand by God, who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead.(W) 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to solemnly testify that He is the One appointed by God to be the Judge of the living and the dead.(X) 43 All the prophets testify(Y) about Him that through His name(Z) everyone who believes in Him will receive forgiveness of sins.”(AA)

Gentile Conversion and Baptism

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came down(AB) on all those who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers[h] who had come with Peter were astounded because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.(AC) 46 For they heard them speaking in other languages and declaring the greatness of[i] God.

Then Peter responded, 47 “Can anyone withhold water and prevent these people from being baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”(AD) 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.(AE) Then they asked him to stay for a few days.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 10:3 Lit About the ninth hour
  2. Acts 10:9 Lit about the sixth hour
  3. Acts 10:14 Perhaps profane, or non-sacred; Jews ate distinctive food according to OT law and their traditions, similar to modern kosher or non-kosher foods.
  4. Acts 10:30 Lit at the ninth hour
  5. Acts 10:30 Other mss add fasting and
  6. Acts 10:32 Other mss add When he arrives, he will speak to you.
  7. Acts 10:37 Or word; lit thing
  8. Acts 10:45 Jewish Christians who stressed circumcision; Ac 11:2; 15:5; Gl 2:12; Col 4:11; Ti 1:10
  9. Acts 10:46 Or and magnifying

Visión de Cornelio en Cesarea

10 Había en Cesarea cierto hombre llamado Cornelio, que era centurión de la compañía llamada la Italiana. Era piadoso y temeroso de Dios, junto con toda su casa. Hacía muchas obras de misericordia para el pueblo y oraba a Dios constantemente. Como a las tres de la tarde, él vio claramente en visión a un ángel de Dios que entró hacia él y le dijo:

—Cornelio.

Con los ojos puestos en el ángel y espantado, él dijo:

—¿Qué hay, Señor?

Y le dijo:

—Tus oraciones y tus obras de misericordia han subido como recordatorio ante la presencia de Dios. Ahora, pues, envía hombres a Jope y haz venir a cierto Simón, que tiene por sobrenombre Pedro. Este se hospeda con un tal Simón, curtidor, quien tiene su casa junto al mar.

En cuanto se fue el ángel que hablaba con él, Cornelio llamó a dos de sus criados y a un soldado piadoso de entre sus asistentes, y después de haberles contado todo esto, los envió a Jope.

La visión de Pedro en Jope

Al día siguiente, mientras ellos iban viajando por el camino y llegaban cerca de la ciudad, Pedro subió a la azotea para orar, como al mediodía. 10 Sintió mucha hambre y deseaba comer; pero mientras preparaban la comida, le sobrevino un éxtasis. 11 Vio el cielo abierto y un objeto que descendía como un gran lienzo, bajado por sus cuatro extremos a la tierra. 12 En el lienzo había toda clase de cuadrúpedos y reptiles de la tierra y aves del cielo. 13 Y le vino una voz:

—Levántate, Pedro; mata y come.

14 Entonces Pedro dijo:

—¡De ninguna manera, Señor! Porque ninguna cosa común o inmunda he comido jamás.

15 La voz volvió a él por segunda vez:

—Lo que Dios ha purificado, no lo tengas tú por común.

16 Esto ocurrió tres veces, y de repente el objeto fue elevado al cielo.

Pedro y los enviados de Cornelio

17 Mientras Pedro estaba perplejo dentro de sí acerca de lo que pudiera ser la visión que había visto, he aquí los hombres enviados por Cornelio, habiendo preguntado por la casa de Simón, llegaron a la puerta. 18 Entonces llamaron y preguntaron si un Simón que tenía por sobrenombre Pedro se hospedaba allí. 19 Como Pedro seguía meditando en la visión, el Espíritu le dijo: “He aquí, tres hombres te buscan. 20 Levántate, pues, y baja. No dudes de ir con ellos, porque yo los he enviado”.

21 Entonces Pedro bajó para recibir a los hombres[a] y dijo:

—Heme aquí. Yo soy el que buscan. ¿Cuál es la causa por la que han venido?

22 Ellos dijeron:

—Cornelio, un centurión, hombre justo y temeroso de Dios, como bien lo testifica toda la nación de los judíos, ha recibido instrucciones en una revelación por medio de un santo ángel, para hacerte venir a su casa y oír tus palabras.

23 Entonces les hizo entrar y los alojó. Al día siguiente, se levantó y fue con ellos. También le acompañaron algunos de los hermanos de Jope.

Pedro predica en casa de Cornelio

24 Al día siguiente, entraron en Cesarea. Cornelio los estaba esperando, habiendo invitado a sus parientes y a sus amigos más íntimos. 25 Cuando Pedro iba a entrar, Cornelio salió para recibirle, se postró a sus pies y le adoró. 26 Pero Pedro le levantó diciendo:

—¡Levántate! Yo mismo también soy hombre.

27 Mientras hablaba con él, entró y halló que muchos se habían reunido. 28 Y les dijo:

—Ustedes saben cuán indebido le es a un hombre judío juntarse o acercarse a un extranjero, pero Dios me ha mostrado que a ningún hombre llame común o inmundo. 29 Por esto, al ser llamado, vine sin poner objeciones. Así que pregunto: ¿Por qué razón mandaron por mí?

30 Entonces dijo Cornelio:

—Hace cuatro días como a esta hora, como las tres de la tarde, yo estaba orando[b] en mi casa. Y he aquí, un hombre en vestiduras resplandecientes se puso de pie delante de mí 31 y dijo: “Cornelio, tu oración ha sido atendida, y tus obras de misericordia han sido recordadas ante la presencia de Dios. 32 Envía, por tanto, a Jope y haz venir a Simón, que tiene por sobrenombre Pedro. Él está alojado en casa de Simón el curtidor, junto al mar”. 33 Así que, inmediatamente envié a ti; y tú has hecho bien en venir. Ahora, pues, todos nosotros estamos aquí en la presencia de Dios, para oír todo lo que el Señor[c] te ha mandado.

34 Entonces Pedro, abriendo su boca, dijo:

—De veras, me doy cuenta de que Dios no hace distinción de personas, 35 sino que en toda nación le es acepto el que le teme y obra justicia. 36 Dios ha enviado un mensaje a los hijos de Israel, anunciando el evangelio de la paz por medio de Jesucristo. Él es el Señor de todos. 37 Ustedes saben el mensaje que ha sido divulgado por toda Judea, comenzando desde Galilea, después del bautismo que predicó Juan. 38 Me refiero a Jesús de Nazaret, y a cómo Dios le ungió con el Espíritu Santo y con poder. Él anduvo haciendo el bien y sanando a todos los oprimidos por el diablo, porque Dios estaba con él. 39 Y nosotros somos testigos de todas las cosas que él hizo, tanto en la región de Judea como en Jerusalén. A él le mataron colgándole sobre un madero, 40 pero Dios le levantó al tercer día e hizo que apareciera, 41 no a todo el pueblo, sino a los testigos que Dios había escogido de antemano, a nosotros que comimos y bebimos con él después que resucitó de entre los muertos. 42 Él nos ha mandado a predicar al pueblo y a testificar que él es el que Dios ha puesto como Juez de los vivos y de los muertos. 43 Todos los profetas dan testimonio de él, y de que todo aquel que cree en él recibirá perdón de pecados por su nombre.

44 Mientras Pedro todavía hablaba estas palabras, el Espíritu Santo cayó sobre todos los que oían la palabra. 45 Y los creyentes de la circuncisión que habían venido con Pedro quedaron asombrados, porque el don del Espíritu Santo fue derramado también sobre los gentiles; 46 pues les oían hablar en lenguas y glorificar a Dios. 47 Entonces Pedro respondió:

—¿Acaso puede alguno negar el agua, para que no sean bautizados estos que han recibido el Espíritu Santo, igual que nosotros?

48 Y les mandó que fueran bautizados en el nombre de Jesucristo. Entonces le rogaron que se quedara por algunos días.

Footnotes

  1. Hechos 10:21 Algunos mss. antiguos incluyen que fueron enviados a él por Cornelio.
  2. Hechos 10:30 Algunos mss. antiguos tienen yo estaba ayunando y orando.
  3. Hechos 10:33 Algunos mss. antiguos tienen Dios.

Cornelius Calls for Peter

10 At Caesarea(A) there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing;(B) he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three in the afternoon(C) he had a vision.(D) He distinctly saw an angel(E) of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”

Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked.

The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering(F) before God.(G) Now send men to Joppa(H) to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. He is staying with Simon the tanner,(I) whose house is by the sea.”

When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.(J)

Peter’s Vision(K)

About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof(L) to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.(M) 11 He saw heaven opened(N) and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”

14 “Surely not, Lord!”(O) Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”(P)

15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”(Q)

16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

17 While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision,(R) the men sent by Cornelius(S) found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. 18 They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.

19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision,(T) the Spirit said(U) to him, “Simon, three[a] men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”(V)

21 Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”

22 The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man,(W) who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.”(X) 23 Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.

Peter at Cornelius’s House

The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers(Y) from Joppa went along.(Z) 24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea.(AA) Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26 But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”(AB)

27 While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people.(AC) 28 He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile.(AD) But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.(AE) 29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”

30 Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes(AF) stood before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32 Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”

34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism(AG) 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.(AH) 36 You know the message(AI) God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news(AJ) of peace(AK) through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.(AL) 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed(AM) Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing(AN) all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.(AO)

39 “We are witnesses(AP) of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross,(AQ) 40 but God raised him from the dead(AR) on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people,(AS) but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate(AT) and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people(AU) and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.(AV) 43 All the prophets testify about him(AW) that everyone(AX) who believes(AY) in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”(AZ)

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on(BA) all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter(BB) were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out(BC) even on Gentiles.(BD) 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues[b](BE) and praising God.

Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water.(BF) They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”(BG) 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.(BH) Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 10:19 One early manuscript two; other manuscripts do not have the number.
  2. Acts 10:46 Or other languages