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. 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 (T)fell down at his feet and (U)worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, (V)“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 (W)to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but (X)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, (Y)“Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at (Z)the ninth hour,[c] and behold, (AA)a man stood before me in bright clothing 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, (AB)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.’

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 10:9 That is, noon
  2. Acts 10:20 Or accompany them, making no distinction
  3. Acts 10:30 That is, 3 p.m.

Peter’s Vision(A)

About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof(B) to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.(C) 11 He saw heaven opened(D) 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!”(E) Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”(F)

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

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,(H) the men sent by Cornelius(I) 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,(J) the Spirit said(K) 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.”(L)

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,(M) 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.”(N) 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(O) from Joppa went along.(P) 24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea.(Q) 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.”(R)

27 While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people.(S) 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.(T) But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.(U) 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(V) 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.’

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Footnotes

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