May 19, 2026
When Expectations Break
Acts 10:1-33
Key Verse | Acts 10:10-12
And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air.
Today's Focus
Interpretation
Interpretation answers the question: “What does the text mean?” It’s first discovering what the author intended the passage to mean for the original audience and then relating this interpretation to life today. To interpret the text, look at your observations, consider the context as well as the whole of Scripture, and use reliable resources to confirm your conclusions. This is when additional resources like study Bibles or commentaries come into play.
Acts 10:1-33
Chapter 10
Peter and Cornelius
1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. 3 About the ninth hour of the day 1 10:3 That is, 3 p.m. he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” 4 And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 7 When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, 8 and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.
Peter's Vision
9 The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour 2 10:9 That is, noon to pray. 10 And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance 11 and saw 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; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” 15 And the voice came to him again a second time, “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 the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, 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 the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, 3 10:20 Or accompany them, making no distinction 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 God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and 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 some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. 24 And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. 28 And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.”
30 And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, 4 10:30 That is, 3 p.m. and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”
Table of Contents
Introduction to Acts
Timeline
Author and Date
Acts is a sequel to the Gospel of Luke. Both were written by Luke, a physician who traveled with the apostle Paul. Acts ends with Paul under house arrest, awaiting trial before Caesar, c. A.D. 62. Many scholars assume Acts was written then because it does not record Paul’s defense, release, and further gospel preaching.
Theme
The Holy Spirit empowers believers to declare the gospel among both Jews and Gentiles. In doing so they establish the church. The church is the fulfillment of God’s promises from the beginning of time.
Purpose
Luke’s purpose for writing his Gospel (see Luke 1:3–4) applies to Acts as well: to give an “orderly” account of the early church after Christ’s resurrection. Dedicating the two-volume work to Theophilus, Luke wanted him to have “certainty” about what he had been taught.
Key Themes
Acts tells of the witness of the early church to the truth of the gospel—a theme first introduced in 1:8:
- The witness is worldwide—Judea, Samaria, the “end of the earth” (1:8).
- The witness includes all kinds of people (chs. 2–5; 10:1–11:18; 14:8–18; 16:11–15, 25–34; 17:22–31).
- God guides the church’s witness (4:5–22; 23:12–22; 24:1–23; 27:21–26).
- Faithful witnesses must be prepared to suffer and even die because of their testimony to Christ (5:41–42; 7:54–60).
- The Holy Spirit empowers the witness (1:8; 2:1–13; 8:17; 13:2–12; 19:6).
- Effective witness demands unity in the church (2:42–47; 4:32–37; 5:12–14).
- Jesus’ resurrection is a key part of the witness (1:22; 2:22–36; 17:30–31).
- Acceptance of the message depends both on human response and on God’s sovereign will (2:47; 11:18; 13:48).
- The witness to the gospel calls for a response (26:27–29). It requires repenting of one’s sins in the name of Christ. This brings forgiveness of sins (e.g., 2:38).
- Witnesses must always maintain integrity before the world (18:12–15; 23:29; 25:18; 26:31–32).
- Christian witnesses continue the ministry that Christ “began” (1:1).
- Faithful witness can bring great results (4:4; 13:48–49; 17:4; 28:30–31).
Outline
- Preparation for Witness (1:1–2:13)
- The Witness in Jerusalem (2:14–5:42)
- The Witness beyond Jerusalem (6:1–12:25)
- The Witness in Cyprus and Southern Galatia (13:1–14:28)
- The Jerusalem Council (15:1–35)
- The Witness in Greece (15:36–18:22)
- The Witness in Ephesus (18:23–21:16)
- The Arrest in Jerusalem (21:17–23:35)
- The Witness in Caesarea (24:1–26:32)
- The Witness in Rome (27:1–28:31)
The Setting of Acts
Fact: Who wrote Luke?
Who wrote Luke? Luke wrote both this Gospel account and Acts. He probably traveled with Paul and participated in his ministry (see Col. 4:14; 2 Tim. 4:11; Philem. 24). Luke was also a physician (Col. 4:14).
Fact: The speeches in Acts
The speeches in Acts are an important part of Luke’s historical account. They make up nearly a third of the book. Ten of these are extended speeches: three by Peter, one by Stephen, and six by Paul.
Fact: Ananias
Ananias. There are three different men named Ananias in the book of Acts (see 5:1; 9:10; 24:1). The Ananias who was apparently the first believer to welcome Paul after his conversion is a positive example of obedience to the Lord (9:10–19).
Fact: What is “the Way?”
What is “the Way?” In Acts, “the Way” appears six times (9:2; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22). People who belonged to the Way were followers of Christ. It means the way of salvation (16:17) and/or the true way of life in relation to God (see 18:25–26).
Fact: What happens next?
What happens next? Acts ends with Paul serving Christ from within a Roman prison. During this time, he wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. According to the church historian Eusebius, Paul was released, then arrested a second time, and eventually martyred in Rome.
Fact: Greeks
The Greeks who came to see Jesus (12:20–21) were not necessarily from Greece. The term could refer to any Gentile in the Greek-speaking world. Like other Greek people such as the centurion in Luke 7:5 or Cornelius in Acts 10, they were attracted to the teachings of the Jewish Scriptures. Now, they wanted to hear more from this man who claimed to be the Messiah.
The Setting of 1 Timothy
c. A.D. 62–64
Paul likely wrote 1 Timothy during a fourth missionary journey not recorded in the book of Acts. Writing from an unknown location, Paul wrote to Timothy at Ephesus to instruct him on how to lead the church there. Ephesus was a wealthy and highly influential port city in the Roman province of Asia, renowned for its temple of Artemis (Diana).
The Setting of 2 Timothy
c. A.D. 64–67
Paul probably wrote 2 Timothy during a second imprisonment in Rome following a fourth missionary journey that is not recorded in Acts. Expecting that death would come soon, Paul wrote this “farewell” letter to Timothy, who was at Ephesus, urging him to stand firm and asking him to come for one final visit.
The Setting of Titus
c. A.D. 62–64
Paul likely wrote Titus during a fourth missionary journey not recorded in the book of Acts. Writing from an unknown location, he instructed Titus in how to lead the churches on the island of Crete. The churches there had apparently been founded by Paul.
New Testament Timeline
The following chart provides a detailed New Testament timeline. Most of the dates can be determined precisely by correlating biblical events with extensive historical documents and archaeological evidence. Dates with an asterisk denote approximate or alternative dates. The extensive external confirmation of New Testament dates and events encourages great confidence in the truth and historicity of both the Old and New Testaments.
| 5 B.C.* | Jesus is born in Bethlehem. |
| 4 B.C. | Jesus’ family flees to Egypt to escape from Herod’s plan to kill Jesus (Matt. 2:13–18); Herod dies; Judas (of Sepphoris) and others rebel, requiring the Syrian Governor Varus to intervene throughout Palestine; Sepphoris, a city four miles from Nazareth, is destroyed by Roman soldiers; Judea, Samaria, and Idumea are given to Herod’s son, Archelaus; Galilee and Perea are given to his son Antipas; Jesus’ family, after returning from Egypt, resides in Nazareth (Matt. 2:19–23), a small village in southern Galilee. |
| A.D. 6 | Archelaus is exiled for incompetence; Judea becomes a Roman province; Judas the Galilean (of Gamla) leads a revolt against the tax census; the governor of Syria, Quirinius (A.D. 6–7), appoints Annas high priest (6–15). |
| 8* | Jesus (age 12) interacts with the teachers in the temple (Luke 2:41–50). |
| 8*–28/30 | Jesus works as a carpenter in Nazareth (Matt. 13:55; Mark 6:3) and probably in neighboring villages and Sepphoris, which was being rebuilt. |
| 28–29* | John the Baptist begins his ministry around the Jordan River (John 1:19). |
| 28–30* | Jesus begins his ministry in Judea, but soon focuses his efforts in Galilee. In Jerusalem, Pharisees (like Gamaliel) train disciples (like Paul) in their tradition. They send a delegation to Galilee, but the delegation rejects Jesus’ teaching. In Alexandria, Philo (20 B.C.–A.D. 50) attempts to unify Greek philosophy with Hebrew Scripture. |
| 33 (or 30) | Jesus returns to Judea, is crucified, and resurrected. James the brother of Jesus becomes a believer after witnessing the resurrected Jesus (1 Cor. 15:7; Acts 12:17). Jesus ascends to the Father’s right hand (Acts 1). Jesus’ first followers receive the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and begin to proclaim the gospel (Acts 2). |
| 33/34* | Paul witnesses the resurrected Lord on the way to Damascus and is commissioned as an apostle to the nations (Acts 9; Gal. 1:15–16). |
| 34–37 | Paul ministers in Damascus and Arabia (Acts 9:19–22; 26:20; Gal. 1:16–18). |
| 36 | Pilate loses his position for incompetence. |
| 36/37* | Paul meets with Peter in Jerusalem (Acts 9:26–30; Gal. 1:18). |
| 37–45 | Paul ministers in Syria, Tarsus, and Cilicia (Acts 9:30; Gal. 1:21). |
| 38* | Peter witnesses to Cornelius (Acts 10). |
| 39 | Antipas is exiled. |
| 40–45* | James writes his letter to believers outside Palestine (see James 1:1). |
| 41–44 | Agrippa, Herod the Great’s grandson, rules Palestine; he kills James the brother of John (Acts 12:2) and imprisons Peter (Acts 12:3). |
| 42–44 | Paul receives his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor. 12:7). |
| 44 | Peter leaves Jerusalem; Agrippa is killed by an “angel of the Lord” (Acts 12:23). |
| 44–46 | Theudas persuades many Jews to sell their possessions and follow him into the wilderness where he claimed he would miraculously divide the Jordan River; Roman procurator Fadus dispatches his cavalry and beheads the would-be messiah. |
| 44–47* | Paul’s Second Visit to Jerusalem; time of famine (Acts 11:27–30; Gal. 2:1–10). |
| 46–47 | Paul’s First Missionary Journey (with Barnabas) from Antioch to Cyprus, Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, and Lystra (Acts 13:4–14:26). |
| 46–48 | Roman procurator Tiberius Alexander crucifies two sons (Jacob and Simon) of Judas the Galilean. |
| 48* | Paul writes Galatians, perhaps from Antioch (see Acts 14:26–28). |
| 48–49* | Paul and Peter return to Jerusalem for the Apostolic Council, which, with the assistance of James, frees Gentile believers from the requirement of circumcision in opposition to Pharisaic believers (Acts 15:1–29); Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch (Acts 15:30) but split over a dispute about John Mark (Acts 15:36–40). |
| 48/49–51* | Paul’s Second Missionary Journey (with Silas) from Antioch to Syria, Cilicia, southern Galatia, Macedonia, notably Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea; and then on to Achaia, notably Athens and Corinth (Acts 15:36–18:22). |
| 49 | Claudius expels Jews from Rome because of conflicts about Jesus (Acts 18:2); Paul befriends two refugees, Priscilla and Aquila, in Corinth (Acts 18:2–3). |
| 49–51* | Paul writes 1–2 Thessalonians from Corinth (Acts 18:1, 11; also compare Acts 18:5 with 1 Thess. 1:8). |
| 51 | Paul appears before Gallio, proconsul of Achaia (Acts 18:12–17). |
| 50–54* | Peter comes to Rome. |
| 52–57* | Paul’s Third Missionary Journey from Antioch to Galatia, Phrygia, Ephesus, Macedonia, Greece (Acts 18:23–21:17). |
| 52–55 | Paul ministers in Ephesus (Acts 19:1–20). |
| 53–55* | Mark writes his Gospel, containing Peter’s memories of Jesus; perhaps within a decade, Matthew publishes his Gospel, which relies on Mark and other sources. Paul writes 1 Corinthians from Ephesus (Acts 19:10). |
| 54 | Claudius dies (edict exiling Jews repealed); Priscilla and Aquila return to Rome and host a church in their home (see Rom. 16:3–5). |
| 54–68 | Nero reigns. |
| 55–56* | Paul writes 2 Corinthians from Macedonia (Acts 20:1, 3; 2 Cor. 1:16; 2:13; 7:5; 8:1; 9:2, 4; see 1 Cor. 16:5). |
| 57* | Paul winters in Corinth and writes Romans (Acts 20:3; see Rom. 16:1–2; also see Rom. 16:23 with 1 Cor. 1:14); travels to Jerusalem (Acts 21:1–16), visits with James the brother of Jesus (Acts 21:17–26), and is arrested (Acts 21:27–36; 22:22–29). |
| 57–59 | Paul is imprisoned and transferred to Caesarea (Acts 23:23–24, 33–34). |
| 60 | Paul begins voyage to Rome (Acts 27:1–2); he is shipwrecked for three months on the island of Malta (Acts 27:39–28:10). |
| 60–70* | Letter to the Hebrews is written. |
| 62 | James the brother of the Lord is executed by the Sadducean high priest Ananus. |
| 62–63* | Peter writes his first letter (1 Peter) from Rome (1 Pet. 5:13). |
| 62* | Paul arrives in Rome and remains under house arrest (Acts 28:16–31); he writes Ephesians (see verses for Colossians), Philippians (Phil. 1:7, 13, 17; 4:22), Colossians (Col. 4:3, 10, 18; see Acts 27:2 with Col. 4:10), Philemon (see Philem. 23 with Col. 1:7; Philem. 2 with Col. 4:17; Philem. 24 with Col. 4:10; also see Col. 4:9). Luke, Paul’s physician and companion (see Col. 4:14), writes Luke and Acts. |
| 62–64 | Paul is released, extends his mission (probably reaching Spain), writes 1 Timothy from Macedonia (see 1 Tim. 1:3) and Titus from Nicopolis (Titus 3:12); he is rearrested in Rome (2 Tim. 1:16–17). |
| 63–64 | Work on the temple complex is completed. |
| 64 (July 19) | Fire in Rome; Nero blames and kills many Christians. |
| 64–67* | Peter writes his second letter ( 2 Peter). Jude writes his letter. Paul writes 2 Timothy (see 2 Tim. 4:6–8). Paul and Peter are martyred in Rome. |
| 66 | First Jewish-Roman War begins with a riot between Greeks and Jews at Caesarea; Roman procurator Gesius Florus (A.D. 64–66) is murdered and a Roman garrison wiped out; Menahem, son or grandson of Judas the Galilean, murders the high priest Ananias and seizes control of the temple; Nero dispatches Vespasian with three legions. |
| 67* | Romans destroy the Qumran community, who beforehand hid the so-called Dead Sea Scrolls in nearby caves; the church in Jerusalem flees to Pella (Matt. 24:15–16; Mark 13:14; Luke 21:20–22); John migrates to Ephesus with Mary, Jesus’ mother. |
| 68 | Nero commits suicide; year of the three emperors. |
| 69 | Rebellion quelled in Galilee and Samaria; Vespasian summoned back to Rome to become emperor. |
| 70 (Aug. 30) | Titus, Vespasian’s son, after a five-month siege of Jerusalem, destroys the temple after desecrating it; the temple’s menorah, Torah, and veil are removed and later put on display in a victory parade in Rome; the influence of the Sadducees ends; the Pharisee Johanan ben Zakkai escapes and convinces the Romans to allow him and others to settle in Jamnia, where they found a school. |
| 73 (May 2)* | Before Roman general Silva breaches the fortress atop Masada following a two-year siege, 936 Jewish rebels commit suicide. |
| 75 | Titus has an affair with the Jewish princess Berenice, sister of Agrippa II (Acts 25:13, 23), whom he later abandons because of the scandal. |
| 77 | Pliny the Elder writes Natural History. |
| 77–78 | Josephus publishes Jewish War in Rome. |
| 79 | Pompeii and Herculaneum are destroyed by eruption of Vesuvius; Pliny the Elder dies attempting to investigate. |
| 81 | The Arch of Titus, celebrating his destruction of the temple, is erected in Rome. |
| 81–96 | Domitian, Titus’s brother, persecutes Christians among the Roman nobility, including his own relatives Clemens and Domitilla. |
| 85–95* | John writes his letters (1–3 John), probably in Ephesus. |
| 89–95* | John writes his Gospel, probably in Ephesus. |
| 93–94 | Josephus publishes Jewish Antiquities in Rome. |
| 94 | Domitian exiles philosophers from Rome. |
| 95* | Amidst persecution, Clement, a leader in the Roman church, writes his Letter to the Corinthians (1 Clement) appealing for peace between the young men and elders. |
| 95–96* | Exiled by Domitian to Patmos, John writes Revelation (Rev. 1:9). |
| 96–98 | Nerva, the first of five “good” emperors, ends official persecution. |
* denotes approximate date; / signifies either/or
Parallels in the Ministries of Jesus, Peter, and Paul in Luke–Acts
Luke shows Peter and Paul continuing the ministry of Jesus in the book of Acts. Representative examples are cited on the chart below.
| Type of Ministry | Jesus | Peter | Paul |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preaching that the OT is fulfilled in Jesus the Messiah | Luke 4; 24 | Acts 2; 3 | Acts 13; 17 |
| Casting out unclean spirits | Luke 4:31–37 | Acts 5:16 | Acts 16:16–18 |
| Healing the lame | Luke 6:6–11 | Acts 3:1–10 | Acts 14:8–10 |
| Raising the dead | Luke 7:11–17 | Acts 9:36–43 | Acts 20:7–12 |
| Healing by a touch, a shadow, or cloths | Luke 8:42–48 | Acts 5:15 | Acts 19:11–12 |
God’s Sovereignty in Salvation as Seen in Acts
| God ordained the cross | God calls, adds, and appoints many to eternal life | God gives faith and repentance; God cleanses and opens hearts |
|---|---|---|
|
2:23 “Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God”
3:18 “what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled” 4:27–28 “there were gathered together . . . Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, to do whatever your hand . . . had predestined to take place” |
2:39 “the promise is to . . . everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself ”
2:41 “there were added that day about three thousand souls” 2:47 “the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved” 5:14 “believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women” 11:24 “a great many people were added to the Lord” 13:48 “as many as were appointed to eternal life believed” |
3:16 “the faith that is through Jesus”
5:31 “God exalted him . . . to give repentance to Israel” 11:18 “to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life” 15:8–9 “God . . . having cleansed their hearts by faith” 16:14 “The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul” 18:27 “those who through grace had believed” |
Major Sermons in Acts
| Speaker | Text | Audience |
|---|---|---|
| Peter | 2:14–36 | Jews in Jerusalem |
| 3:11–26 | Jews in Jerusalem | |
| 10:34–43 | Cornelius’s household | |
| Stephen | 7:1–53 | Jews in Jerusalem |
| Paul | 13:16–47 | Jews in Pisidian Antioch |
| 17:22–31 | Greeks in Athens | |
| 20:18–35 | Church elders in Ephesus | |
| 22:1–21 | Jews in Jerusalem | |
| 24:10–21 | Felix and his court | |
| 26:1–29 | Agrippa and his court |
Luke
Luke was a doctor (Col. 4:14) and a faithful companion of Paul, accompanying him on several journeys. He was with Paul throughout his two-year imprisonments in both Caesarea and Rome. He is the author of the Gospel bearing his name and the book of Acts, where he records his travels with Paul. Little else is known about Luke. Most scholars believe that he was a Gentile. This is based in part on the fact that Paul does not include Luke among the “men of the circumcision” who were his fellow workers (Col. 4:10–11). How Luke came to know Christ is not revealed, though his thorough acquaintance with the OT suggests that he may have been a “God-fearer” like Cornelius before becoming a Christian. (Acts 21:1–8)
Cornelius
Cornelius was a Roman centurion and a “God-fearer”—a Gentile who worshiped Israel’s God. As a centurion, Cornelius would have been a socially prominent and wealthy man. The Bible says that he “gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God” (10:2), and that he was held in high regard “by the whole Jewish nation” (10:22). An angel of the Lord appeared to Cornelius in a vision and instructed him to send for the apostle Peter. When Peter arrived, he preached the gospel to Cornelius and his friends and family. While he was still speaking, the Holy Spirit was poured out on these Gentile seekers. Cornelius and his household were baptized, and their conversion convinced the early church that God’s promises were for Gentiles as well as for Jews. (Acts 10:30–33)
Acts 10:1 Cornelius resided at Caesarea (see note on 8:40). He was a centurion, a commander of 100 men. A Cohort usually consisted of 600 men under the command of six centurions. In remote areas such as Judea a cohort might have as many as 1,000 men. Centurions were paid as much as five times the pay of an ordinary soldier, so Cornelius would have been socially prominent and wealthy.
Acts 10:2 devout man who feared God. A “God-fearer” (compare v. 22; 8:26–27; 13:16, 26) was a Gentile who worshiped Israel’s God but who had not submitted to Jewish conversion rites. Cornelius followed two of the primary expressions of Jewish religion—prayer and almsgiving. alms. See note on 3:2.
Acts 10:3–4 The ninth hour is 3:00 P.M. This was a set hour of prayer for Jews according to later tradition.
Acts 10:4 memorial. His deeds were equal to sacrifice (compare Lev. 2:2, 9, 16).
Acts 10:9 housetop. Houses in Judea typically had flat roofs, used as living space.
Acts 10:12 all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds. Both clean and unclean animals. Jewish law forbade eating unclean animals (see Lev. 11:2–47).
Acts 10:13–16 kill and eat. God was overturning the old clean/unclean distinctions and dietary laws in general, along with all other “ceremonial” laws in the Mosaic covenant (including laws about sacrifices, festivals and special days, and circumcision). Peter was treating Gentiles as unclean, following later tradition rather than the OT. Israel was supposed to minister to other nations (Ex. 19:5–6) and teach them to follow God. God corrects Peter’s behavior.
Acts 10:28 unlawful. Not in terms of violating OT commands but in the sense of not following later Jewish traditions. God has shown me refers to the vision of vv. 10–16.
Unclean Animals and Hope for Gentiles
Cornelius was a wealthy and socially connected Roman. Being a centurion, he would've been paid up to five times the pay of a regular soldier. Yet we see him described as a devout man, who gave alms and prayed to God. As a “God-fearer,” he was a Gentile connected to a synagogue. He practiced praying and giving to the poor, but he didn't submit to circumcision or fully convert to Judaism.
Nevertheless, we see God show up in a huge way in response to his prayers. God sent an angel and essentially told Cornelius, “I have heard you, and I have seen you.” And the angel told him to send for Peter, who was staying in Joppa. Cornelius obeyed right away and sent another “devout” soldier, who more than likely was also a God-fearer, to go and find Peter.
Now Peter was in prayer the next day. While waiting for food afterward, he fell into a trance and received a vision from the Lord. We see in his vision a great sheet descend upon the earth. On it were all kinds of animals, clean and unclean. The Lord says, “Rise, . . . kill and eat,” but Peter refused. Why? Peter gives us his reason in the next statement: “I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.”
Where was Peter getting this practice from? As we study the passage further, entering to the interpretation step, we have to look back to Leviticus 11, which identifies the clean and unclean animals. It had everything to do with the Old Testament laws, and this vision the Lord gave Peter with the authority of heaven tells him, “No more of this.” Does this mean we can eat lobster and bacon guilt free now? Is that the good news? Not quite! It's much more than just food that God has in mind.
He had in mind the inclusion of the Gentiles and bringing together all people under Jesus. But Peter was genuinely confused. It was, in one vision, repeated three times, undoing everything he thought he knew about relating to God. Thankfully, Peter understood this change and shared the gospel with Cornelius, his household, and witnessed the Spirit indwelling the Gentiles (Acts 10:44-45). Everyone was shocked and amazed.
Deeper Study
For today, the interpretation step is simple. Because we've been moving very quickly through Acts 9 and 10, find time today to listen to today's Join The Journey podcast. On today's episode we'll rewind and spend some time diving deeper into chapter 9. We'll cover chapter 10 at greater length throughout the week, and even next week on the podcast!
Broken Expectations are Actually Invitations:
What would it be like if, for an entire day, you viewed every time your expectations weren't met as an invitation from the Lord to be present with him. And then, you asked, “Considering this interruption or unexpected moment, what would you like me to do, Lord?”
Pause and pray now, something like, “Lord, allow me to be interruptible, teachable, and sensitive to your Spirit, and I pray for divine interruptions today to be with you and to share you in whatever way you want.”
Peter didn't expect the O.T. “clean/unclean” laws to be done away with because of Jesus, and he and other Jews were shocked at the moment when the Gentiles received the Spirit. We never know what God wants to do, how God wants to do it, and who he wants to do it through.
Spend time in prayer asking God to help you be more interruptible and flexible so that you can be available to be used by him to spread the gospel.
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