Peter's Vision

The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, (A)Peter went up (B)on the housetop about (C)the sixth hour[a] to pray. 10 And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into (D)a trance 11 and saw (E)the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; (F)for I have never eaten anything that is (G)common or (H)unclean.” 15 And the voice came to him again a second time, (I)“What God has made clean, do not call common.” 16 This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.

17 Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what (J)the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, (K)the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood at the gate 18 and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. 19 And while Peter was pondering (L)the vision, (M)the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 Rise and go down and (N)accompany them without hesitation,[b] for I have sent them.” 21 And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” 22 And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and (O)God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by (P)a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and (Q)to hear what you have to say.” 23 So he invited them in to be his guests.

The next day he rose and went away with them, and (R)some of (S)the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 10:9 That is, noon
  2. Acts 10:20 Or accompany them, making no distinction

At noon on the following day, as their journey brought them close to the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted to eat. While others were preparing the meal, he had a visionary experience. 11 He saw heaven opened up and something like a large linen sheet being lowered to the earth by its four corners. 12 Inside the sheet were all kinds of four-legged animals, reptiles, and wild birds.[a] 13 A voice told him, “Get up, Peter! Kill and eat!”

14 Peter exclaimed, “Absolutely not, Lord! I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”

15 The voice spoke a second time, “Never consider unclean what God has made pure.” 16 This happened three times, then the object was suddenly pulled back into heaven.

17 Peter was bewildered about the meaning of the vision. Just then, the messengers sent by Cornelius discovered the whereabouts of Simon’s house and arrived at the gate. 18 Calling out, they inquired whether the Simon known as Peter was a guest there.

19 While Peter was brooding over the vision, the Spirit interrupted him, “Look! Three people are looking for you. 20 Go downstairs. Don’t ask questions; just go with them because I have sent them.”

21 So Peter went downstairs and told them, “I’m the one you are looking for. Why have you come?”

22 They replied, “We’ve come on behalf of Cornelius, a centurion and righteous man, a God-worshipper who is well-respected by all Jewish people. A holy angel directed him to summon you to his house and to hear what you have to say.” 23 Peter invited them into the house as his guests.

The next day he got up and went with them, together with some of the believers from Joppa.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 10:12 Or birds in the sky