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

Acts 10:17 depicts a pivotal moment where Peter, still deeply perplexed by the vision of the sheet containing unclean animals, experiences the synchronized arrival of messengers sent by Cornelius. The verse highlights Peter's internal theological struggle immediately juxtaposed with an external, divinely orchestrated event, signaling the precise timing of God's unfolding plan for Gentile inclusion.

Acts 10 17 Context

Acts chapter 10 marks a monumental turning point in the early Christian church: the formal opening of the Gospel to the Gentiles. Up until this point, the mission was primarily, though not exclusively, directed towards Jews (Acts 1-9). The narrative strategically interweaves two simultaneous, divine initiatives. First, Cornelius, a devout Roman centurion, receives an angelic vision instructing him to send for Peter in Joppa (Acts 10:1-8). Second, Peter, lodged at the house of Simon the tanner, experiences a vision of a sheet filled with ritually "unclean" animals, accompanied by a divine command to "kill and eat" (Acts 10:9-16). This vision deeply troubled Peter, whose Jewish upbringing ingrained strict dietary laws and the concept of ritual purity. Verse 17 bridges these two divinely orchestrated events, presenting Peter in a state of internal debate, grappling with the meaning of his vision, precisely at the moment Cornelius's messengers arrive. This perfect synchronization emphasizes divine providence and sets the stage for Peter's unprecedented ministry to the Gentiles, directly challenging centuries of Jewish tradition and exclusive identity. The historical-cultural context for the original audience, predominantly Jewish or Jewish proselytes, would immediately recognize Peter's internal conflict regarding ritual purity and interaction with Gentiles as a direct confrontation with the Mosaic Law (Lev 11, Deut 14) and deeply ingrained societal norms, forming a polemic against the strict segregation and ethno-religious exclusivity of the era.

Acts 10 17 Word analysis

• Now while Peter doubted in himself:

  • Peter (Πέτρος, Petros): Simon Peter, a foundational apostle. His perplexity highlights that even a key leader required divine teaching to overcome ingrained theological and cultural biases, demonstrating that personal convictions can be challenged by new revelation.
  • doubted (διηπορουμένου, diaporoumenou): A participle in the Greek, signifying a continuous state of being utterly perplexed, in deep inner debate, or severely agitated mentally. It's more than simple questioning; it's a wrestling with the profound implications. This deep perplexity shows Peter was seriously considering the vision's meaning rather than immediately rejecting it, but struggled greatly with its departure from tradition.
  • in himself (ἐν ἑαυτῷ, en heautō): Emphasizes Peter's internal processing, his personal struggle before any external communication or resolution. It signifies a profound, private theological reflection and a deeply challenged worldview.

• what this vision which he had seen should mean:

  • vision (ὅραμα, horama): Refers to the divine encounter Peter just experienced with the sheet descending from heaven. The term signifies a supernatural appearance or revelation, not merely a dream.
  • should mean (τί ἂν εἴη, ti an eiē): Expresses Peter's quest for hermeneutical understanding. He's not doubting the vision's reality but struggling with its interpretive significance, especially in light of established Jewish law concerning clean and unclean. His understanding was limited by his prior cultural and religious framework.

• behold:

  • behold (καὶ ἰδού, kai idou): An interjection signaling suddenness and calling attention to a new, unexpected, and significant event. It dramatically shifts the narrative from Peter's internal struggle to an external, crucial development, highlighting divine synchronicity.

• the men which were sent from Cornelius made enquiry for Simon’s house:

  • the men which were sent from Cornelius: Directly linking this event to the earlier command to Cornelius. These men represent the direct consequence of Cornelius's faith and obedience, underscoring God's responsiveness to prayer (Acts 10:4).
  • made enquiry for (ἐπυθοντο, eputhonto): They "inquired," "asked about," or "sought for." It indicates a determined search to fulfill Cornelius's command, demonstrating diligence.
  • Simon’s house: Specifically Simon the tanner's house (Acts 9:43, 10:6). The tanner's trade involved working with dead animals, making it an ritually "unclean" profession according to some interpretations of Jewish law, providing subtle foreshadowing of the breaking down of purity barriers Peter was about to embrace.

• and stood before the gate:

  • stood before the gate (ἐπέστησαν ἐπὶ τὸν πυλῶνα, epestēsan epi ton pulōna): Their physical presence at the entrance marks the direct confrontation between Peter's internal wrestling and the external divine plan. It represents them seeking access, poised at the threshold, awaiting the invitation to enter, symbolizing the Gentile world's approach to the Gospel, previously barred.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean": This entire phrase describes Peter's theological conundrum. The vision was a divine communication, but its radical implications were an intellectual and spiritual crisis for Peter, challenging deeply ingrained cultural and religious norms. It prepares the reader for the revolutionary shift in thinking Peter must undergo.

• "behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius made enquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate": This simultaneous event is presented as divinely arranged synchronicity. The precise timing of the messengers' arrival while Peter is still wrestling with the vision is crucial. It transitions Peter's theological puzzle from an abstract internal question into an immediate, practical demand, requiring him to act on the very implications he was struggling to grasp. The "gate" symbolizes the boundary Peter must now cross.

Acts 10 17 Bonus section

The immediate perplexity of Peter after the threefold vision, leading right into the arrival of Cornelius's men, showcases a significant principle of divine revelation: God reveals truth and then provides immediate opportunities to apply it. Peter's profound internal struggle, despite receiving a direct vision from God, highlights the power of deeply ingrained traditions and prejudices. His need to 'think about' (Acts 10:19) the vision's meaning demonstrates that transformation isn't always instant but can be a process involving mental and spiritual reorientation. The fact that the men were at the "gate" implies an unspoken waiting, a humble request for entry that directly corresponded with Peter's vision to not call anyone common or unclean. This dynamic interaction emphasizes God's sovereign control over seemingly coincidental events, guiding His servants and unfolding His universal redemptive plan with perfect timing and strategic intent.

Acts 10 17 Commentary

Acts 10:17 serves as the climactic interlude, brilliantly portraying the convergence of divine intention with human processing. Peter's internal, "utter perplexity" (διηπορουμένου) regarding the profound meaning of his vision underscores the magnitude of the theological shift about to occur. It wasn't simple doubt, but a deep intellectual and spiritual wrestling with ideas that directly contradicted centuries of Jewish law and tradition regarding clean/unclean distinctions and interaction with Gentiles. This honest depiction of Peter's struggle ensures that his eventual acceptance of the Gentiles isn't presented as thoughtless obedience, but as a hard-won conviction.

The strategic placement of "behold" (ἰδού) signifies the abrupt and divine synchronization. As Peter wrestles with the symbolic meaning of "clean and unclean" food, literal Gentiles arrive at his doorstep. This is God's timing, connecting the spiritual revelation (vision) to its practical application (Cornelius's men), transforming Peter's abstract question into a tangible reality. The presence of Gentile messengers at "Simon's house" (a tanner, often regarded as ritually impure) further amplifies the thematic resonance of boundaries being challenged and ultimately dissolved by God's inclusive grace. It illustrates that God often uses concrete events to solidify the understanding gained from abstract revelations. The scene functions as a dramatic pivot, transitioning from preparation to encounter, leading directly to the Gentile Pentecost and forever changing the trajectory of Christian missions.