Acts 10

There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.

And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:

He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;

And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:

And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,

And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:

Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.

But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

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 inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,

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

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

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

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?

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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?

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,

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

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.

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.

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:

Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

What does Acts 10:39 mean?

Explanation

Acts 10:39 offers a critical testimony to the ministry, death, and the means of execution of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the role of the apostles as witnesses.

The verse speaks to followers and non-believers, asserting that the acts of Jesus were public and observed by many, including the speaker and his companions, who are the apostles.

The verse identifies Jesus' work in "the land of the Jews" (mostly encompassing Judea and Galilee) and "in Jerusalem," which was the religious and cultural center of Jewish life.

The term "hanged on a tree" is a Semitic idiom used to describe crucifixion, associating it with the cursed one in Deuteronomy 21:22-23, which states that anyone hanged is cursed by God.

This phrase signifies both the method of Jesus' death and its perceived shame, yet contrasts with the apostles' message of this event as part of God's redemptive plan.

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Acts 10:39 was written by Luke the Evangelist, who is traditionally understood to be the author of both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles.

The Acts of the Apostles is believed to have been written around 63-70 AD, and it provides a historical account of the early Church and the spread of Christianity from Jerusalem to Rome.

This verse is part of the narrative of Peter's interaction with Cornelius, a Roman centurion.

Peter's speech in the home of Cornelius marks a pivotal moment where the Christian message is explicitly extended to Gentiles, signifying a sweeping change in the early Christian mission, which initially focused on Jews.

Theological Insights

This verse is rich with theological significance from various perspectives:

From a traditional Christian standpoint, the verse affirms that Jesus' ministry was public and verifiable.
The apostles' role as witnesses corroborates the historicity of the events of Jesus' life and death.
The reference to Jesus being "hanged on a tree" connects the manner of Jesus' death to the curse of the Law, suggesting that He took upon Himself the curse meant for humanity.
This verse is part of the larger narrative showing God's acceptance of Gentiles into the faith, highlighting the universal reach of salvation.

Practical Applications

Acts 10:39 offers several practical applications for daily life:

Encourages believers to be witnesses of their faith, emphasizing that personal testimony can be powerful.
It serves as a reminder of the humility and sacrifice that were part of Jesus' life and should be emulated.
It highlights the need for inclusiveness in sharing one's faith, as exemplified by the opening of the Gospel to the Gentiles.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 21:22-23: "And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree [...]."
Galatians 3:13: "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree."
Luke 24:48: "And ye are witnesses of these things."
1 Corinthians 15:3-8: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; [...]."

Language Study

In the original Greek text of Acts 10:39, "ἐξηγγείλαμεν" (exēngeilamen) is often translated as "declare," "preach," or "proclaim," and stems from "ἐξαγγέλλω" (exaggellō), which means "to proclaim thoroughly and extensively." The term 'ἀνείλαν" (aneilan) means "they killed," connoting a violent taking of life. "ξύλου" (xylou) translates to "wood" or "tree," which in the context of crucifixion implies the cross.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparisons can be made with ancient myths where a god or hero undergoes a form of humiliation or sacrificial death but rarely do these myths parallel the Christian claim of the deity's purposeful self-sacrifice for the redemption of humanity.

The notion of a god or a divine figure being executed as a criminal is generally foreign to other ancient religions and myths.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspectives generally don't contribute to the understanding of Bible verses in religious contexts.

However, forensic science does offer insights into the physical realities of crucifixion as a form of execution, detailing the severe pain and suffering involved.

Commentaries

Different biblical commentaries underscore the significance of the apostles as eyewitnesses, enhancing the credibility of the Christian message. They also see the apostles' proclamation as a fulfillment of Jesus' command to be His witnesses "unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

Many scholars focus on "hanged on a tree" as a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and an integral part of the narrative that describes the redemptive death of Jesus from a theological standpoint, making a connection between Jesus’ crucifixion and the curse of the Law which He overcomes through resurrection.

Acts 10

Acts 10

What does Acts 10:39 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Acts 10:39 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?