Acts 10 17

Acts 10:17 kjv

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,

Acts 10:17 nkjv

Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate.

Acts 10:17 niv

While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon's house was and stopped at the gate.

Acts 10:17 esv

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

Acts 10:17 nlt

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

Acts 10 verses

Acts 10 17 Meaning

The verse describes Peter's state of confusion and uncertainty following the supernatural vision of unclean animals presented to him by God. It highlights his obedience to God's directive to go with the men from Joppa, despite the unsettling nature of the vision.

Acts 10 17 Context

This verse occurs within Acts chapter 10, a pivotal moment in early Christian history. Peter, the Apostle to the circumcision (Jews), is having a supernatural vision at Joppa, being shown a sheet of various animals, including those considered unclean by Jewish law. He is thrice told by God to "kill and eat." Concurrently, in Caesarea, a devout Roman centurion named Cornelius, who feared God but was not a Jew, receives a vision instructing him to send for Peter. This verse highlights the immediate aftermath of Peter's vision, as he is internally processing its meaning while Cornelius' men arrive at his location, setting the stage for Peter's groundbreaking visit to Cornelius' household and the first significant influx of Gentiles into the Christian faith.

Acts 10 17 Word Analysis

• Ὡς (Hos): "While," "As." Connects the state of Peter's thinking with the arrival of the men.
• δὲ (de): "But," "And." A conjunction indicating a sequence or contrast.
• Πέτρος (Petros): "Peter." The subject of the sentence.
• διελογίζετο (dielogizeto): "Was reasoning," "was considering," "was deliberating." This is an imperfect passive indicative verb from dialogizomai. It implies an ongoing process of internal debate or mental exploration regarding the vision's meaning. It conveys Peter's deep thought and perhaps a struggle to comprehend the implications.
• ἐν ἑαυτῷ (en heautō): "Within himself," "with himself." Emphasizes that his deliberation was an internal, personal struggle or thought process.
• ποταπὸς (potapos): "Of what sort," "what kind of." An interrogative adjective asking about the nature or quality of the vision.
• εἴη (eiē): "Might be," "would be." A subjunctive verb, suggesting possibility or a question of meaning.
• τὸ ὅραμα (to horama): "The vision." The direct object of his consideration.
• ὃ (ho): "Which," "that." A relative pronoun introducing the subordinate clause describing the vision.
• εἶδεν (eiden): "Had seen." The perfect active indicative of horaō, indicating a completed action in the past with a present result (the vision is still vivid in his mind).
• ἰδοὺ (idou): "Behold," "look!" An interjection to draw attention, highlighting the suddenness and significance of the next event. It adds a sense of immediate, divine intervention or crucial timing.
• οἱ ἄνδρες (hoi andres): "The men." The subject of the following clause.
• οἱ ἀπὸ Κορνηλίου (hoi apo Kornēliou): "Those from Cornelius." Identifying the origin or sender of the men.
• ἀπεσταλμένοι (apestalmenoi): "Sent." Perfect passive participle of apostellō, indicating they were commissioned and dispatched by Cornelius.
• ἀναζητήσαντες (anazētēsantes): "Having sought," "having searched for." Aorist active participle of anazēteō, implying they had actively located Peter.
• τὴν οἰκίαν (tēn oikian): "The house." The object of their search.
• τοῦ Κορνηλίου (tou Kornēliou): "Of Cornelius." Possessive genitive.
• εὑρόντες (heurontes): "Having found." Aorist active participle of heuriskō, further confirming their successful search.
• παρεστηκότες (parestēkotest): "Standing by," "standing at." Perfect active participle of paristēmi, indicating their present position outside the house.
• πρὸ τῆς πυλῆς (pro tēs pulēs): "Before the gate." Specifying their location.

Group Analysis:

• "Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen meant...": This phrase encapsulates Peter's internal struggle. Dielogizeto combined with en heautō clearly portrays a thoughtful, yet possibly hesitant or confused, state of mind. The imperfect tense suggests the deliberation was ongoing.
• "...behold, the men which had been sent by Cornelius had found out Cornelius’ house, and stood before the gate,": This is a sequence of actions, marked by the emphatic idou and the perfect participles anazētēsantes and heurontes, followed by thestēkotest. It shows God's perfect timing in bringing Cornelius' representatives to Peter precisely when Peter was wrestling with the vision's implications, linking the vision directly to the coming of these men.

Acts 10 17 Bonus Section

The arrival of Cornelius' men serves as an immediate, practical key to unlock the mystery of Peter's vision. Peter's careful deliberation rather than immediate dismissal underscores his respect for Jewish law and tradition, while his willingness to engage with the vision shows his underlying commitment to obeying God. The detailed description of the men's successful search and positioning at the gate highlights the providential nature of their arrival. This encounter is a significant step in the Gospel’s expansion beyond Jewish boundaries, as recorded in Acts, directly fulfilling prophecy regarding Gentiles receiving salvation through the Messiah.

Acts 10 17 Commentary

Peter's internal conflict, indicated by his "doubting in himself" (dielogizeto en heautō), is a crucial element. He is not disbelieving God, but grappling with how to understand a vision that challenges deeply ingrained Jewish dietary laws and customs. The vision implied that what God has cleansed, Peter should not call "common" (Acts 10:15). His reasoning is interrupted by the arrival of Cornelius' men, who have successfully located him. The divine timing of their arrival, heralded by "behold" (idou), emphasizes that this encounter is orchestrated by God to move Peter towards fulfilling the vision's intent. The arrival of the men, who were "sent by Cornelius" and "had sought out," and "found" Peter's house, and "stood before the gate," signifies the outward manifestation of the inward revelation Peter was pondering. God works simultaneously on Peter's understanding (through the vision) and by external means (the arrival of the messengers).