Acts 10 26

Acts 10:26 kjv

But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

Acts 10:26 nkjv

But Peter lifted him up, saying, "Stand up; I myself am also a man."

Acts 10:26 niv

But Peter made him get up. "Stand up," he said, "I am only a man myself."

Acts 10:26 esv

But Peter lifted him up, saying, "Stand up; I too am a man."

Acts 10:26 nlt

But Peter pulled him up and said, "Stand up! I'm a human being just like you!"

Acts 10 26 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Acts 10:34"Peter began to speak: 'Now I truly understand that God does not show favoritism...'"Peter's realization of God's impartiality
John 3:16"'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son...'"Universal scope of God's love and salvation
Romans 10:12"For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all..."Equality in salvation for Jew and Gentile
Galatians 3:28"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female..."Unity in Christ, breaking down barriers
Ephesians 2:14"For Christ himself has brought peace by making the two groups one..."Christ uniting Jew and Gentile
Isaiah 56:7"'...my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.'"Old Testament prophecy of inclusion
Mark 16:15"'Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.'"The Great Commission's universal scope
John 1:12"'Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.'"Belief in Jesus as the basis for sonship
Acts 11:18"When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, 'So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance that leads to life.'"Wider acceptance of Gentile conversion
Acts 4:12"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."Jesus as the sole source of salvation
Romans 1:16"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes..."The gospel's power for all believers
Titus 2:11"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all people."Grace of God offered to all
1 Corinthians 12:13"For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles..."Spiritual unity in the body of Christ
Acts 13:46"Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: 'We had to speak the word of God to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.'"Turning to the Gentiles when rejected
1 Peter 2:9"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."Identity of believers as God's possession
Psalm 67:2"May your ways be known on the earth, your saving acts among all nations."Prayer for God's salvation to be known
Isaiah 42:6"I will give you as a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles."Christ as a light for the Gentiles
Matthew 28:19"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..."Mandate to disciple all nations
Romans 11:25"I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be wise in your own sight: that at least in part has hardening in Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in."God's plan involving both Israel and Gentiles
Ephesians 3:6"this mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus."Gentiles as co-heirs through the gospel

Acts 10 verses

Acts 10 26 Meaning

This verse marks a pivotal moment where Peter, guided by the Holy Spirit, proclaims that salvation is not exclusive to Jewish people but is available to all who fear God and believe in Jesus Christ, regardless of their ethnicity. This declaration signifies a radical shift in the early church's understanding and mission, opening the doors of the gospel to the Gentiles.

Acts 10 26 Context

Chapter 10 of Acts describes Peter's vision and his subsequent encounter with Cornelius, a devout Roman centurion. The vision at Joppa challenged Peter's ingrained Jewish dietary laws and his perception of Gentiles. By God's explicit instruction, Peter traveled to Caesarea and entered the house of Cornelius, an act previously forbidden to a devout Jew. This encounter was instrumental in demonstrating to Peter and the early Jewish believers that God’s salvation was not limited to ethnic Israel but was extended to all people who feared God and believed. This verse, therefore, serves as Peter's explicit theological explanation for why he, a Jew, is preaching the gospel to uncircumcised Gentiles.

Acts 10 26 Word Analysis

  • But (ἀλλά - alla): A conjunction indicating a strong contrast or opposition to a previous idea or implication. It signifies a turn in thought.
  • Peter (Πέτρος - Petros): The apostle, the same rock upon which Christ would build His church. Here, Peter is the spokesman.
  • opened his mouth (ἤνοιξεν τὸ στόμα - anoixen to stoma): A idiomatic expression indicating a willingness to speak, often with significance or authority. It implies that what follows is important.
  • and said (εἶπεν - eipen): The simple past tense of the verb "to say," indicating Peter spoke.
  • Of a truth (ἀληθῶς - alethos): An adverb meaning "truly," "indeed," "certainly." It emphasizes the reality and truth of his statement.
  • I perceive (καταλαμβάνω - katalambano): A Greek verb with a rich meaning, here conveying "to grasp," "to understand," "to apprehend." It suggests a dawning realization or a clear comprehension.
  • that God (ὅτι ὁ Θεὸς - hoti ho Theos): A clause introducing the object of his perception—God.
  • is no respecter (οὐκ ἔστιν προσωπολήπτης - ouk estin prosopoleptes): A direct statement rejecting favoritism.
    • προσώπου - prosopou: Literally "face."
    • λήμπτης - lemptes: "taker" or "receiver."
    • προσωπολήπτης (prosopoleptes): A compound word meaning "one who takes faces," i.e., a partial or respecter of persons. This term is used in the New Testament to describe someone who favors one person over another based on outward appearances or status. It is directly opposed to God's character as revealed.
  • of persons (προσώπων - prosopon): The plural of prosopon, referring to faces or persons.
  • But (ἀλλά - alla): Again, a conjunction of contrast.
  • in every nation (ἐν παντὶ ἔθνει - en panti ethnei): In all nations, among every people. This emphasizes the universality of God's favor.
    • ἔθνει (ethnei): The dative case of ἔθνος (ethnos), meaning a nation, a people, or a Gentile group.
  • he that feareth (ὁ φοβούμενος - ho phoboumenos): The one who reveres, esteems, or is in awe of God. It implies reverence and submission.
    • φοβούμενος (phoboumenos): The present participle of φοβέω (phobeō), meaning "to fear," but in this context, it implies a reverent fear, a wholesome awe, and obedience stemming from respect for God's authority.
  • him (αὐτὸν - auton): Refers to God.
  • and (καὶ - kai): A conjunction connecting two conditions.
  • worketh (ἐργαζόμενος - ergazomenos): Working, doing. The present participle indicates an ongoing state or action.
  • righteousness (δικαιοσύνην - dikaiosunen): The state of being right with God; justice, uprightness, righteousness. In this context, it refers to deeds done in accordance with God's will.

Acts 10 26 Bonus Section

This verse directly counters the exclusive religious framework that often characterized Israel. It is a declaration of the gospel's boundless reach, anticipating the inclusion of Gentiles fully into the covenant community through Christ. This opened the floodgates for the worldwide expansion of Christianity. The concept of "no respecter of persons" is foundational to the unity of the Body of Christ, transcending cultural and ethnic divisions, as seen in later teachings regarding the church as one new humanity (Ephesians 2:15).

Acts 10 26 Commentary

Peter’s statement here is groundbreaking. Previously, adherence to the Mosaic Law, particularly circumcision, was seen as the defining mark of inclusion in God’s covenant people. However, through the extraordinary circumstances orchestrated by the Holy Spirit, Peter articulates a theological shift: genuine piety and righteous living, accompanied by faith in Christ, are the criteria for God's acceptance. This verse establishes a core principle for the universal church – salvation is offered freely to all humanity, without ethnic or social bias. The fear of God and righteous actions are coupled with faith, underscoring that true righteousness is rooted in a right relationship with God and is demonstrated through obedience.