Acts 10 45

Acts 10:45 kjv

And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 10:45 nkjv

And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.

Acts 10:45 niv

The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles.

Acts 10:45 esv

And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.

Acts 10:45 nlt

The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too.

Acts 10 verses

Acts 10 45 Meaning

Acts 10:45 reveals the profound amazement of Jewish believers witnessing the direct outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon uncircumcised Gentiles. This event dramatically confirms that God's salvific grace and the full blessings of the New Covenant, including the gift of the Holy Spirit, are freely extended to all nations through faith in Christ, without the prerequisite of adhering to the Mosaic Law or undergoing Jewish proselytization rites like circumcision. It signifies a pivotal moment in the early church's understanding of its universal mission and the breaking down of ethnic barriers.

Acts 10 45 Context

Acts chapter 10 marks a watershed moment in early Christianity, depicting the Spirit-led inclusion of Gentiles into the burgeoning church. Prior to this, salvation was largely perceived as for the Jews, with Gentiles expected to first proselytize to Judaism (including circumcision and adherence to the Law). The chapter details divine orchestrations: a devout Gentile, Cornelius, receives a vision instructing him to send for Peter (Acts 10:1-8). Simultaneously, Peter receives a vision of unclean animals, commanding him to eat, declaring, "What God has made clean, do not call common" (Acts 10:9-16). This prepares Peter to overcome deeply ingrained Jewish prejudices against Gentiles. Upon arriving at Cornelius's house (Acts 10:24-33), Peter begins to preach, declaring God's impartiality (Acts 10:34-43). While Peter is still speaking, the Holy Spirit dramatically falls upon all the Gentile hearers (Acts 10:44), validating their faith and God's acceptance even before they are baptized in water. Verse 45 captures the Jewish believers' astonished reaction to this unprecedented event.

Acts 10 45 Word analysis

• And (Καὶ - Kai): A simple conjunction indicating continuation from the preceding verse, but here connecting a cause (Spirit falling) with a reaction (amazement). It subtly emphasizes the immediate impact of the event.
• the believers (οἱ πιστοὶ - hoi pistoi): Refers to those who have faith in Jesus Christ, distinguishing them as disciples. In this context, it specifies Jewish Christians who had already come to faith in the Messiah.
• from among the circumcised (ἐκ περιτομῆς - ek peritomēs): This phrase is a crucial identifier. "Περιτομή" (peritomē) literally means "circumcision" and here stands for those of Jewish origin, who observed the sign of the Mosaic Covenant. This highlights their background as orthodox Jews who became followers of Christ, contrasting them sharply with the uncircumcised Gentiles.
• who had come with Peter (ὅσοι συνῆλθον τῷ Πέτρῳ - hosoi synēlthon tō Petrō): Specifies that these were not random bystanders, but Peter's traveling companions from Joppa (Acts 10:23). Their direct witness was vital for validating the event to the broader Jewish Christian community.
• were amazed (ἐξίσταντο - existanto): This strong Greek verb means "they were astonished," "were astounded," "were out of their minds," or "were utterly perplexed." It conveys a shock so profound that it challenged their established understanding and worldview. It speaks to the utterly unexpected and revolutionary nature of the event.
• because (ὅτι - hoti): A causal conjunction, providing the reason for their astonishment.
• the gift (ἡ δωρεὰ - hē dōrea): Refers to a free, unearned gift, emphasizing that God's grace, manifested in the Spirit, is bestowed unconditionally, not earned through human effort or ritual adherence.
• of the Holy Spirit (τοῦ ἁγίου Πνεύματος - tou hagiou Pneumatos): Identifies the specific gift. The Third Person of the Trinity, the Spirit of God, understood as the divine presence and power fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and empowering the New Covenant community.
• was poured out (ἐκκέχυται - ekkechytai): The Greek verb is in the perfect indicative, signaling a completed action with continuing results. "Ἐκχέω" (ekcheō) implies an abundant, lavish, and spontaneous outpouring, consistent with the prophecy in Joel 2 and its fulfillment at Pentecost (Acts 2). This imagery emphasizes the richness and generosity of God's blessing.
• even on the Gentiles (καὶ ἐπὶ τὰ ἔθνη - kai epi ta ethnē): This is the crux of their amazement. "Ἔθνη" (ethnē) refers to the nations, i.e., non-Jews. The "καὶ" (kai), translated as "even," underscores the shocking nature of this fact from a Jewish perspective, who considered Gentiles religiously 'unclean' and outside God's direct covenant. It signals a dramatic paradigm shift, as the Spirit, the very stamp of God's presence, was given to those without Jewish prerequisites.

• "the believers from among the circumcised": This group represents the theological stronghold of Jewish Christianity. Their conversion to Christ did not immediately eradicate their deeply ingrained Jewish cultural and religious identity markers, especially concerning purity laws and the perception of Gentiles.
• "were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles": This phrase captures the magnitude of the theological crisis and reorientation taking place. The Spirit's universal outpouring defied Jewish exclusive understandings, confirming that God Himself initiated and validated the inclusion of non-Jews without requiring them to become Jews first. This direct divine action bypassed centuries of tradition and became irrefutable evidence for the inclusion of the nations.

Acts 10 45 Bonus section

This verse is central to understanding the "Gentile Pentecost," a theological counterpart to the Jewish Pentecost in Acts 2. It reinforces that the Holy Spirit is the agent of unity, breaking down the ancient wall of partition between Jews and Gentiles. The fact that the Spirit was poured out before baptism for these Gentiles actually served a critical apologetic function for Peter and the early apostles. It was direct, incontrovertible proof that God had truly accepted these Gentiles just as they were, demonstrating that the covenant sign of circumcision was replaced by the spiritual circumcision of the heart brought by the Holy Spirit. This divinely-initiated action minimized any human involvement or traditional ritual as a prerequisite for salvation and full membership in God's people.

Acts 10 45 Commentary

Acts 10:45 provides a critical eyewitness account to a paradigm-shifting event. The profound amazement of Peter's Jewish companions signifies the magnitude of the theological boundary that God had just crossed. For them, receiving the Holy Spirit was intricately linked with Jewish identity and, at the very least, a conversion to Judaism for Gentiles. However, the Spirit's spontaneous outpouring upon uncircumcised Gentiles while Peter was still preaching, and before water baptism or any command for circumcision, directly challenged these deep-seated assumptions. This was God's unmediated act, serving as an undeniable validation of Gentile inclusion by grace through faith in Christ, independently of the Mosaic Law. This moment confirmed Peter's earlier vision of inclusivity, demonstrating God's impartiality and establishing the foundation for the Church's universal mission. It directly prefigures the apostolic decree in Acts 15 and emphasizes that the presence of the Holy Spirit is the ultimate evidence of God's acceptance and a true mark of salvation, available to all without distinction.