Acts 10 13

Acts 10:13 kjv

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

Acts 10:13 nkjv

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

Acts 10:13 niv

Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat."

Acts 10:13 esv

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

Acts 10:13 nlt

Then a voice said to him, "Get up, Peter; kill and eat them."

Acts 10 verses

Acts 10 13 Meaning

Acts 10:13 records a direct command from a heavenly voice to Peter during a profound vision: "Rise, Peter; kill and eat." This divine instruction signifies God's radical redefinition of dietary purity laws under the New Covenant, setting the stage for the inclusion of Gentiles into the Christian faith. It communicates that traditional distinctions, especially those preventing fellowship and shared meals with "unclean" people (symbolized by unclean animals), were no longer to be observed by God's people.

Acts 10 13 Context

Acts chapter 10 marks a pivotal moment in the early church's development, bridging the initial focus on Jewish converts to the full embrace of Gentile inclusion. Prior to this verse, Peter is staying in Joppa with Simon, a tanner, which itself was an unconventional living arrangement for a devout Jew due to the uncleanness associated with the trade. While praying, Peter falls into a trance (Acts 10:10). The vision presents a sheet descending from heaven, filled with all types of animals, many of which were deemed "unclean" under Mosaic Law (Acts 10:12). Acts 10:13 is the direct divine command that initiates Peter's challenge and subsequent transformation in understanding God's will regarding fellowship with those outside traditional Jewish purity. This visionary preparation directly precedes Peter's historic encounter with Cornelius, a God-fearing Roman centurion, and the subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Gentile believers.

Acts 10 13 Word analysis

• And there came (Καὶ ἐγένετο - Kai egeneto): A common Greek narrative connector, signaling the initiation of an event or the start of a new part of the story. It denotes the happening or occurring of something significant, specifically, the emergence of a divine message.

• a voice (φωνὴ - phōnē): Refers to an auditory perception. In biblical narratives, "a voice from heaven" often denotes direct divine communication, establishing the pronouncement's authority and origin from God Himself (e.g., at Jesus' baptism or transfiguration). Its presence here immediately signals a significant revelation from the divine.

• to him (πρὸς αὐτὸν - pros auton): Clearly indicates Peter as the specific recipient of the message. This command is directed personally to him, preparing him for a unique role in extending the Gospel.

• Rise, (Ἀναστάς - Anastas): An imperative verb meaning "to stand up" or "to get up." It's not merely a physical command but often a spiritual summons to action, to ready oneself for a task or to change one's posture, both literally and figuratively, in response to a divine directive.

• Peter; (Πέτρε - Petre): A direct and personal address, reinforcing the specific and personal nature of the divine command. By calling his name, God establishes intimacy and certainty, ensuring Peter knows the instruction is specifically for him, not a general announcement.

• kill (θῦσον - thyson): An imperative verb from thyō, which can mean to slaughter, sacrifice, or kill. While often used in sacrificial contexts, here it denotes the action of taking life for the purpose of consumption. This command directly confronts Peter's deeply ingrained Jewish laws regarding clean and unclean animals.

• and eat. (καὶ φάγε - kai phage): An imperative verb from phagō, meaning "to eat." Paired with "kill," it forms a clear instruction for consumption. This challenges Peter not just to touch but to incorporate these forbidden foods, symbolically breaking down long-held purity barriers concerning both food and by extension, fellowship with people.

• "And there came a voice to him": This phrase establishes the divine origin and authoritative nature of the ensuing command. It immediately sets the context as a supernatural communication, demanding attention and obedience.

• "Rise, Peter;": This combined command and personal address underscore the urgency and directness of the divine instruction to Peter specifically, calling him to active engagement. It signifies a profound shift from a state of waiting (in trance/prayer) to active participation in God's plan.

• "kill and eat": This stark, dual imperative directly challenges Peter's religious understanding and adherence to Mosaic Law concerning ritual purity. It signifies the abolition of certain aspects of the old covenant distinctions, particularly regarding food laws, which carried profound social and theological implications for interaction between Jews and Gentiles. The instruction implies that what God declares clean is no longer to be considered unclean.

Acts 10 13 Bonus section

The vision's significance is amplified by its repetition three times, as noted in Acts 10:16. This triplication emphasizes divine certainty and prepares Peter's heart against resistance, underscoring that this was not a mere suggestion or fleeting thought, but a firm and weighty decree from God. Furthermore, the selection of Peter, the chief apostle to the Jews, to inaugurate the Gentile mission powerfully demonstrates that the inclusion of Gentiles was a divine imperative, originating directly from God's plan for redemption rather than a mere pragmatic decision by the early church. This vision effectively dismantles the theological foundations of Jewish ethnocentricity, setting the stage for a truly catholic (universal) church. The narrative carefully connects this visionary experience to Peter's subsequent encounter with Cornelius, providing immediate divine validation and practical application for the dramatic theological shift represented in the command to "kill and eat."

Acts 10 13 Commentary

Acts 10:13 serves as a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, illustrating God's initiative in dismantling human-made and now obsolete religious barriers. The command "Rise, Peter; kill and eat" is far more than a simple instruction about diet; it represents God's declaration that the old covenant's ritual distinctions, particularly concerning food and, by extension, people groups, no longer applied. Peter, a devout Jew who strictly observed the Law, was directly commanded by God to violate core purity codes, a theological earthquake in his world. This radical re-education was necessary to prepare him for evangelizing Gentiles like Cornelius, demonstrating that God shows no partiality and that salvation in Christ is open to all humanity, without requiring adherence to specific Mosaic rituals. The passage fundamentally broadens the scope of the Christian mission, making way for the universal church, united not by law but by grace.

• Just as Peter had to re-evaluate what was "clean," believers today may be challenged to break down their own biases or preconceived notions about who is worthy of receiving the Gospel.
• It illustrates that obedience to God may sometimes involve stepping outside of deeply ingrained cultural or traditional comfort zones.