Acts 10 23

Acts 10:23 kjv

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

Acts 10:23 nkjv

Then he invited them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

Acts 10:23 niv

Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along.

Acts 10:23 esv

So he invited them in to be his guests. The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.

Acts 10:23 nlt

So Peter invited the men to stay for the night. The next day he went with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa.

Acts 10 verses

Acts 10 23 Meaning

This verse describes Peter and the other Jewish believers who accompanied him, numbering about six. They arrived at Cornelius' house, met Cornelius, and found many of his relatives and close friends already gathered. This encounter marked a pivotal moment in the early church, signifying the acceptance of Gentiles into the fold of Christianity.

Acts 10 23 Context

The preceding verses detail Peter's vision, which was given by the Holy Spirit to prepare him for this very encounter. He saw a vision of a sheet filled with all sorts of animals, including those considered unclean by Jewish law. A voice commanded him to kill and eat. Peter’s refusal, citing his adherence to the Mosaic Law, led to a repeated vision and the divine declaration, "What God has made clean, do not call common." This vision prepared Peter to overcome his own religious prejudices and to accept Cornelius' invitation. Cornelius, a devout Roman centurion, also had a vision instructing him to send for Peter. This entire narrative serves as God's direct intervention to break down the spiritual and social barriers between Jews and Gentiles, demonstrating that salvation through Jesus Christ is for all people, regardless of ethnicity or adherence to the ritual aspects of the Mosaic Law.

Acts 10 23 Word Analysis

• Peter: (Greek: Πέτρος, Petros) — Name means "stone" or "rock," given by Jesus himself. Signifies his foundational role in the early church.

• And: (Greek: καὶ, kai) — A conjunction connecting clauses, indicating a continuation of the action.

• The other: (Greek: οἱ ἄλλοι, hoi alloi) — Refers to the specific Jewish believers who accompanied Peter, numbering six as stated in Acts 10:23.

• Apostles: (Greek: ἀπόστολοι, apostoloi) — Literally "those sent forth." Primarily the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus, but sometimes used for others like Barnabas and Paul who were specifically commissioned by the church or the Holy Spirit. Here, it likely refers to the brethren accompanying Peter, implying they were leaders or significant figures.

• Being with him: (Greek: παρ᾽ αὐτῷ, par' autō) — Emphasizes their close association and shared journey with Peter.

• When he came: (Greek: ἐλθόντος δὲ, elthonos de) — A participial phrase indicating the arrival.

• Into the house: (Greek: εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν, eis tēn oikian) — Refers to the residence of Cornelius.

• Of the man: (Greek: τοῦ ἀνδρός, tou andros) — The possessive "of" links the house to Cornelius.

• Cornelius: (Latin origin) — A Roman centurion. The inclusion of his name is significant as he represents the Gentile audience being reached.

• When: (Greek: ὅτε, hote) — Temporal conjunction.

• He had called together: (Greek: προσκαλεσάμενος, proskalesamenos) — Means to call to oneself, to invite. Cornelius had proactively gathered his household.

• His relatives: (Greek: τοὺς συγγενεῖς, tous syngeneis) — His kin by blood.

• And: (Greek: καὶ, kai) — Connecting conjunction.

• His near friends: (Greek: τοὺς ἀναγκαίους φίλους, tous anankaious philous) — Close, necessary, or essential friends. Those whom Cornelius held in high regard and who were important to him.

• Words Group Analysis: "Peter and the other apostles being with him" establishes Peter's leadership and the presence of others who would witness and validate his actions. "When he had called together his relatives and his near friends" highlights Cornelius' intentionality and the gathered assembly awaiting Peter, creating anticipation for the message.

Acts 10 23 Bonus Section

The number "six" companions of Peter (Acts 10:23) is noteworthy. This is a significant minority for an apostle, suggesting Peter perhaps did not fully understand the breadth of the vision yet and brought a small group to witness, possibly for validation or because he anticipated only a simple visit. The subsequent account shows his Jewish companions' astonishment at the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles (Acts 10:45), underscoring how groundbreaking this event was for the early Jewish Christian community. This incident, directly preceded by Peter’s vision of clean and unclean foods, is the turning point where the church universally recognized that the Gospel was for all people, not just Jews. It directly fulfills prophecies and Jesus’ own teachings about the kingdom extending to the nations.

Acts 10 23 Commentary

This verse shows divine orchestration. God moved on both Peter and Cornelius. Peter was hesitant due to Jewish law and tradition regarding Gentiles. Cornelius, though a God-fearing man, was not a Jew. God's intervention via visions and the Holy Spirit removed these barriers. The presence of Peter's six companions validates his extraordinary actions to the Jewish believers. The assembly at Cornelius' house demonstrates a readiness to receive the Gospel, prepared by both Cornelius' faith and God's prior work in their lives. This event underscores the universal nature of the Gospel, explicitly initiated by God Himself, before the formal missionary strategies were fully established. It signifies a major step in the Gentile mission, expanding the church's reach beyond its Jewish origins.