Acts 10:17-33 Lesson 242

Acts 10:17-33
Lesson 242

Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

In this lesson:

Peter does the unthinkable; he enters a Gentiles home (10:28).

Peter meets Cornelius and his guests (10:24).
(Artist unknown)

Study Tip:

It helps to study more than one Bible translation. As you read each lesson, scroll back and forth between the "King James Version" and the "New Living Translation."

Also, check the Margin Notes in blue and click on the links.

The Acts of the Apostles

The King James Bible

Acts 10:17-33
Peter and Cornelius meet

17 Now 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,

18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

21 Then 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?

22 And 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.

23 Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.

26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.

28 And 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.

29 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?

30 And 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,

31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

32 Send 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.

33 Immediately 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.

Margin notes:

"Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean." (10:17) - "Peter was puzzled about what the vision meant."

"Made enquiry for Simon's house." (10:17) - "Asked directions to Simon's house." Remember, these are the three men sent by Cornelius to find Peter (Acts 10:7-8).

"While Peter thought on the vision." (10:19) - Peter gave the vision much thought. He was having difficulty sorting out its meaning.

"What is the cause wherefore ye are come?" (10:21) - "What is the reason you've come."

"Was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee." (10:22) - Via an angel, God told Cornelius to send for Peter (Acts 10:1-6).

"Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends." (10:24) - Cornelius was excited about Peter's visit and wanted his family and friends to hear what he had to say (10:33).

"As Peter was coming in." (10:25) - Jews wouldn't enter a Gentiles home for fear of being defiled. But beginning with the vision of the "unclean food" (lesson 241), God was changing Peter's attitude towards Gentiles.

"He went in, and found many that were come together." (10:27) - Peter went in Cornelius' house and saw all the guests.

"God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean." (10:28) - God showed Peter in his vision (Acts 10:15).

"Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying." (10:29) - "Therefore I came without objecting."

"Thine alms." (10:31) - "Your charity."

"Thou hast well done that thou art come." (10:33) - Means, "You're very kind to come."

New Living Translation

Acts 10:17-33

17 Peter was very perplexed. What could the vision mean? Just then the men sent by Cornelius found Simon's house. Standing outside the gate,

18 they asked if a man named Simon Peter was staying there.

19 Meanwhile, as Peter was puzzling over the vision, the Holy Spirit said to him, "Three men have come looking for you.

20 Get up, go downstairs, and go with them without hesitation. Don't worry, for I have sent them."

21 So Peter went down and said, "I'm the man you are looking for. Why have you come?"

22 They said, "We were sent by Cornelius, a Roman officer. He is a devout and God-fearing man, well respected by all the Jews. A holy angel instructed him to summon you to his house so that he can hear your message."

23 So Peter invited the men to stay for the night. The next day he went with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa.

24 They arrived in Caesarea the following day. Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends.

25 As Peter entered his home, Cornelius fell at his feet and worshiped him.

26 But Peter pulled him up and said, "Stand up! I'm a human being just like you!"

27 So they talked together and went inside, where many others were assembled.

28 Peter told them, "You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean.

29 So I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. Now tell me why you sent for me."

30 Cornelius replied, "Four days ago I was praying in my house about this same time, three o'clock in the afternoon. Suddenly, a man in dazzling clothes was standing in front of me.

31 He told me, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been noticed by God!

32 Now send messengers to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter. He is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner who lives near the seashore.'

33 So I sent for you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here, waiting before God to hear the message the Lord has given you."

This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."

Today's Question:

1. Was it "unlawful" for a Jew to "keep company" with a Gentile? (10:28)

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Answer: (Do you agree?)

1. No, as mentioned in lesson 241, the Old Testament does not forbid Jews and Gentiles from associating with each other. The "law" Peter refers to was a man-made tradition laid down by the Jewish high council.

The animosity between Jews and Gentiles was an obstacle to overcome if the Gospel was to spread. In Peter's vision of the "unclean food," God showed that those old traditions had to change. By teaching Peter that animals, once considered unclean, should be judged clean, God told Peter that the people he thought were unclean (Gentiles) were
clean. However, Peter was a work in progress and still harbored some negative feelings towards Gentiles (Galatians 2:11-14).

Application thought for the day:

If it weren't for the vision of the "unclean food" (10:10-16), Peter's negative attitude towards Gentiles would have stopped him from reaching out to Cornelius. Once he met the religious Cornelius and his family, Peter saw that the "God of Israel" wasn't just for Jews, but for everyone. Don't let preconceived notions keep you from sharing your faith with others. Someone you know is waiting for you to introduce them to God.

Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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