Acts 10:28 kjv
And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
Acts 10:28 nkjv
Then he said to them, "You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
Acts 10:28 niv
He said to them: "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.
Acts 10:28 esv
And he said to them, "You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.
Acts 10:28 nlt
Peter told them, "You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean.
Acts 10 28 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 10:15 | "What God has made clean, do not call common." | Prohibition of certain foods |
| Gal 2:12 | Before certain men came from James, he ate with the Gentiles. | Peter's practice |
| John 4:9 | Jews do not associate with Samaritans. | Historical Jew-Gentile divide |
| Lev 20:23 | Do not follow the customs of the nations. | Old Testament prohibition |
| Ex 23:32 | Do not make a covenant with them or their gods. | Separation from Canaanites |
| Rom 15:12 | "...the Root of Jesse will stand, and He who rises to rule the Gentiles; In Him will the Gentiles hope." | Prophecy of Gentile inclusion |
| Eph 2:14 | He is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility. | Breaking down division |
| 1 Cor 9:20 | To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. | Paul's adaptability |
| 1 Cor 10:27 | If one of them invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is set before you. | Eating with unbelievers |
| Matt 15:11 | It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a man, but what comes out of the mouth that defiles a man. | Defilement from within |
| Mark 7:15 | Nothing outside the body can defile him. | Inner purity emphasized |
| 1 Sam 16:7 | Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. | God's perspective |
| Deut 7:6 | You are a people holy to the LORD your God. | Israel's chosen status |
| Isa 49:6 | "I will make you light for the Gentiles." | Servant Songs prophecy |
| Acts 11:3 | "You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them." | Peter's explanation |
| Acts 15:9 | "...he made no distinction between us and them, for by faith he purified their hearts." | Purity of heart |
| Rom 3:22 | This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. | Faith as unifying factor |
| Rom 10:12 | For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all. | Unity in Christ |
| Gal 3:28 | "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." | Abolition of distinctions |
| Acts 28:28 | "Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it." | Gentile salvation declared |
Acts 10 verses
Acts 10 28 Meaning
It is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or visit a foreigner. This law was instituted to prevent the spread of idolatry among the Jews. This verse states that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or visit a foreigner, referring to Cornelius the Gentile. This highlights a significant shift in the early church's understanding and practice regarding inclusion of non-Jews. The primary concern was ritual impurity and the avoidance of practices associated with idolatry, which were pervasive in gentile cultures. Peter's statement reflects the deeply ingrained traditions and the law of Moses.
Acts 10 28 Context
This verse occurs in Acts chapter 10, which details Peter's vision and subsequent visit to the house of Cornelius, a Roman centurion. Previously, Jews and Gentiles were distinctly separated by religious and cultural barriers, with strict prohibitions against close association to maintain ritual purity and prevent the assimilation of pagan practices. Peter's reluctance stemmed from these deep-seated Jewish customs and the Mosaic Law, which forbade close contact and dining with Gentiles, viewing them as ritually unclean. This event marks a pivotal moment, signifying God's dismantling of these barriers and the opening of salvation through Christ to all nations.
Acts 10 28 Word Analysis
- ‘It is unlawful’ (oỦk ἔstin, ouk estin): Means "it is not possible" or "it is not permitted." This reflects a perceived divine prohibition or established custom.
- ‘for a man’ (ảnqrṓpōi, anthrōpōi): Refers to any human being, specifically a Jewish man in this context.
- ‘to keep company’ (koinōnẽin, koinōnein): Means "to have fellowship with" or "to associate with." This implies more than mere casual interaction; it suggests sharing in meals and close fellowship.
- ‘or to come unto’ (éd’ ércĕsthai prós, ē’ erchesthai pros): Means "or to approach" or "to go to." This further emphasizes the prohibition of entering the dwelling of a foreigner.
- ‘a foreigner’ (allóphulon, allophylon): Literally "another tribe" or "of another nation," referring to a non-Jew (Gentile).
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- ‘It is unlawful for a man to keep company or to come unto a foreigner’: This entire phrase encapsulates the legalistic and cultural barriers that separated Jews and Gentiles, stemming from the Mosaic Law and reinforced by centuries of practice and interpretation to preserve Jewish distinctiveness and prevent assimilation into gentile paganism. It represents the established religious and social order prior to this divine revelation to Peter.
Acts 10 28 Bonus Section
This incident with Peter and Cornelius is a landmark event in early Christianity, often described as the "Gentile Pentecost." It illustrates a direct divine intervention to correct human prejudice and expand the gospel’s reach. The vision of the sheet filled with unclean animals and the command to "kill and eat" symbolizes that what God has cleansed, humans should no longer deem unclean. This is paralleled by the spiritual cleansing of Gentiles through faith in Jesus Christ. The emphasis shifts from external ritual purity to internal purity of heart through faith, a theme echoed throughout Paul's epistles, particularly his arguments in Romans and Galatians about justification by faith apart from works of the law. The willingness of both Peter and Cornelius to embrace this new revelation underscores their commitment to God's unfolding plan.
Acts 10 28 Commentary
Peter's declaration in this verse reveals the profound impact of Jewish tradition and law on his understanding of divine will. His initial reaction to Cornelius’ invitation reflects a deeply ingrained Jewish aversion to associating intimately with Gentiles, whom they considered ritually unclean and separate from God’s covenant people. This reluctance highlights the tension between the old covenant’s requirements for separation and the new covenant’s universal inclusivity revealed through Christ. God intervenes with a vision to overturn Peter’s preconception, demonstrating that salvation is not limited by ethnicity or ritual status, but is available to all who believe.