Acts 10 18

Acts 10:18 kjv

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

Acts 10:18 nkjv

And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there.

Acts 10:18 niv

They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.

Acts 10:18 esv

and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there.

Acts 10:18 nlt

they asked if a man named Simon Peter was staying there.

Acts 10 verses

Acts 10 18 Meaning

Acts 10:18 describes the moment the three men sent by Cornelius arrived at Simon the tanner's house in Joppa and inquired about Peter. Having called out, they were asking whether Simon, who was also known as Peter, was lodged as a guest at that particular location. This direct inquiry marks a critical point, confirming their successful navigation by divine guidance to the specific place where God had prepared Peter for the next phase of the gospel's spread to the Gentiles.

Acts 10 18 Context

Acts chapter 10 marks a pivotal turning point in the early Church's mission—the formal opening of the gospel to the Gentiles. The chapter begins with Cornelius, a devout Roman centurion, receiving a vision to send for Peter in Joppa. Concurrently, Peter, who is staying in Joppa at the house of Simon a tanner, receives his own vision of a sheet containing all kinds of ritually unclean animals, with a divine command to eat. The vision challenges his Jewish dietary and purity laws, reiterating three times, "What God has made clean, do not call common."

The very house Peter is lodging in—that of Simon the tanner—is culturally significant. Tanners worked with dead animal skins, a profession that rendered them ceremonially unclean by Jewish law, and thus they typically lived outside city walls. For Peter, a devout Jew, to be staying there already signified a breaking down of conventional purity barriers. Verse 18 details the precise moment the men sent by Cornelius, guided by an angel, arrive at this very house, making the critical inquiry that will bridge two worlds: Jew and Gentile. Their specific and detailed question about "Simon, surnamed Peter" confirms divine orchestrating, bringing Peter face-to-face with the Spirit's new directive.

Acts 10 18 Word analysis

• And (καί - kai): A simple conjunctive, it serves to link the arrival of Cornelius's men at the door (Acts 10:17) directly with their subsequent action of seeking information. It implies a smooth, logical progression of events directed by providence.
• called (φωνήσαντες - phōnēsantes): This is the aorist participle of φωνέω (phōneō), meaning "to call out, make a sound, summon." Here, it signifies that upon arriving at the house, they audibly hailed or shouted, drawing attention to themselves from inside. It implies a public and direct seeking.
• and asked (ἐπυνθάνοντο - epynthanonto): The imperfect active indicative of πυνθάνομαι (pynthanomai), meaning "to inquire, ask, learn by inquiry." The imperfect tense suggests a continuous or repeated action; they were persistent in their questioning or making a clear inquiry, not just a casual one-time statement. It indicates a focused search for verification.
• whether (εἰ - ei): A particle used to introduce an indirect question, similar to "if" or "whether" in English. It sets up the following phrase as the content of their inquiry.
• Simon (Σίμων - Simōn): The original Jewish name of the apostle, derived from the Hebrew/Aramaic Shim'on, meaning "he has heard" or "hearing." It anchors Peter's identity in his Jewish heritage.
• which was surnamed (ὁ ἐπικαλούμενος - ho epikaloumenos): A present passive participle meaning "the one being called by a different name," "the one surnamed," or "who has the additional name." It highlights that Peter was commonly known by his second name, given by Jesus. This shows the messengers were specific and recognized Peter's dual identity.
• Peter (Πέτρος - Petros): The Greek name given to him by Jesus, meaning "rock" or "stone." (cf. Cephas, Aramaic for "rock," in Jn 1:42). This name signified his new identity and foundational role within the Christian community, pointing to his future mission beyond merely his Jewish context.
• were lodged there (ξενίζεται - xenizetai): The present passive indicative of ξενίζω (xenizō), meaning "to be a guest," "be hosted," "to stay as a stranger." It describes Peter's status as a temporary resident or guest in a private home, rather than at an inn. The specificity of being "lodged there" emphasizes the particular location and implies hospitality being extended. The current setting, a tanner's house, is a significant detail implicitly questioned by the very request.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "And called, and asked": This phrase describes a focused, purposeful action. The men were not just passively looking; they actively engaged, indicating the urgency and directedness of their mission, aligning with divine instruction.
• "Simon, which was surnamed Peter": This precise identification shows an understanding of Peter's dual naming, indicating the widespread recognition of his apostolic identity alongside his original name. It provides certainty for the inquiry, ensuring the correct individual is sought. It also subtly emphasizes Peter's journey from his Jewish identity (Simon) to his Christ-given role (Peter), a journey central to the Acts narrative.
• "were lodged there": This phrase directly asks for Peter's current guest status. It emphasizes the concept of hospitality and underscores the divine leading to the exact location. The very idea of Peter, a devout Jew, "lodged" in a tanner's house (a place generally considered impure) to then be sought by Gentiles is a subtle yet profound prefiguration of the spiritual boundaries about to be transcended.

Acts 10 18 Bonus section

The city of Joppa, where Peter was staying, is symbolically significant. It was a bustling port city on the Mediterranean coast. In the Old Testament, Joppa was the city from which Jonah attempted to flee God's command to preach to the Gentile city of Nineveh (Jon 1:3). Here, centuries later, another prophet (Peter) is called from the same city not to flee but to actively embrace the command to preach to Gentiles, representing a dramatic reversal of prophetic response to God's mission to all nations. This location highlights God's unwavering intention for global salvation.

Acts 10 18 Commentary

Acts 10:18, though seemingly a simple logistical query, is profoundly significant. It is the earthly intersection point of two distinct divine preparations: Cornelius's readiness to hear the gospel from Peter, and Peter's vision-induced re-evaluation of ritual purity. The meticulousness of Cornelius's men, "calling and asking" for "Simon, surnamed Peter," underscores the divine precision guiding this moment. Peter's dual name points to his evolving identity and role, moving from his Jewish roots (Simon) to his apostolic mission (Peter) encompassing Gentiles. The fact they seek him precisely at a tanner's house, a place challenging Jewish purity norms, foreshadows the radical inclusivity of the Gospel that is about to unfold. This moment, more than mere inquiry, is a testament to God's orchestrating of seemingly disparate events to fulfill His universal redemptive plan.