Acts 10 5

Acts 10:5 kjv

And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:

Acts 10:5 nkjv

Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter.

Acts 10:5 niv

Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter.

Acts 10:5 esv

And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter.

Acts 10:5 nlt

Now send some men to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter.

Acts 10 verses

Acts 10 5 Meaning

Acts 10:5 records the direct command given by God, through an angelic messenger, to Cornelius, a Roman centurion in Caesarea. He is instructed to send for Simon Peter, who is currently residing in Joppa. This seemingly simple directive is a pivotal moment, orchestrating the meeting that would lead to the widespread inclusion of Gentiles into the Christian faith. It signifies divine initiation for the spread of the Gospel beyond Jewish boundaries.

Acts 10 5 Context

Acts chapter 10 marks a pivotal moment in the expansion of the Gospel from its Jewish roots to the Gentile world. Before this verse, Cornelius is introduced as a devout Roman centurion, a "God-fearer" (one who reverenced God but had not fully converted to Judaism). While he was praying and giving alms, an angel appeared to him, assuring him that his prayers and gifts had been noticed by God. The angelic messenger then gives this specific command in Acts 10:5. This sets in motion a series of divinely orchestrated events, including Peter's own challenging vision (Acts 10:9-16), that would bridge the deeply ingrained cultural and religious divides between Jews and Gentiles in the early church, leading to the first significant Gentile conversion and baptism in the book of Acts.

Acts 10 5 Word analysis

• Now (καὶ νῦν - kai nyn): The particle "καὶ" (kai, and/also) here often emphasizes sequence or consequence. "Νῦν" (nyn), translated as "now," signifies immediacy and urgency. It marks a decisive shift in the divine directive, moving from reassurance (v.4) to concrete instruction. This immediate command underlines God's precise timing and the importance of prompt obedience for the unfolding of His redemptive plan.
• send (πέμψον - pempson): This is an aorist active imperative verb from pempō, meaning "to send" or "to dispatch." The imperative mood signifies a direct, authoritative command, requiring immediate action from Cornelius. It highlights divine initiative, where God directs human agents to fulfill His will.
• men (ἄνδρας - andras): The accusative plural of anēr, referring to adult males. This detail emphasizes that Cornelius is to send specific human messengers, capable of travel and communication. It underlines the physical, tangible steps required in response to a spiritual command, and implies the serious nature of the mission.
• to Joppa (εἰς Ἰόππην - eis Ioppēn): "Εἰς" (eis) indicates direction "to" or "into." Joppa (modern-day Jaffa) was a well-known ancient seaport city on the Mediterranean coast, about 35 miles northwest of Caesarea (where Cornelius was). Its inclusion here provides a precise geographical detail, demonstrating the exactitude of God's instructions. It was also a place where Peter had recently ministered and performed miracles, notably raising Tabitha (Acts 9:36-43), suggesting divine foresight in Peter's prior placement.
• and bring back / send for (καὶ μεταπέμψασθαι - kai metapempsasthai): "Καὶ" (kai) connects this action to the previous one. "Μεταπέμψασθαι" (metapempsasthai) is an aorist middle infinitive from metapempō, meaning "to send for," "to summon," or "to call to oneself." The middle voice implies the action is performed by the subject for their own benefit or at their own instance. Here, it signifies Cornelius's act of summoning Peter to him, reinforcing his role in initiating the contact, albeit at God's command. This emphasizes the desired outcome: not just sending men, but bringing Peter to Caesarea.
• a man named Simon (Σίμωνα τινά - Simōna tina): "Σίμωνα" (Simōna) is the accusative of Simon, a common Jewish name. "Τινά" (tina) is an indefinite pronoun, here meaning "a certain" or "a man named." This specificity is crucial for identification. It humanizes Peter, even in this divine command, pointing to the practical need to find a particular individual.
• who is called Peter (ὃς ἐπικαλεῖται Πέτρος - hos epikaleitai Petros): "Ὃς" (hos) is the relative pronoun "who." "Ἐπικαλεῖται" (epikaleitai) is the present passive indicative of epikaleō, "to call upon" or "to be called." "Πέτρος" (Petros), "Peter," is the Greek form of the Aramaic Kephas, meaning "rock" (Jn 1:42). The inclusion of both "Simon" and his commonly known appellation "Peter" removes any ambiguity. This dual naming points to his identity as an ordinary man ("Simon") chosen for an extraordinary, divinely appointed role ("Peter," the Rock of the Church; cf. Mt 16:18-19), highlighting his apostolic authority and unique significance in the early Christian movement.

Acts 10 5 Bonus section

• Divine Precision: The meticulous detail provided by the angelic messenger—including the exact location (Joppa) and precise identification of Peter (Simon, who is called Peter, and even his host's name and profession in verse 6)—highlights God's absolute knowledge and intentionality. It's a blueprint for obedience, leaving no room for guesswork and emphasizing God's careful design in expanding His Kingdom.
• Preparedness: The narrative often shows God preparing both sides of a divine encounter. Here, Cornelius's devoutness and open heart prepared him to receive the vision, just as Peter's earlier ministry in Joppa (raising Tabitha, Acts 9) and his lodging with Simon the tanner (Acts 10:6, an unusual arrangement for a Jew, implying a prior softening to less conventional associations) had prepared him, unbeknownst to him, for this exact summons.
• The Power of Prayer and Alms: This command is a direct response to Cornelius's prayers and alms (Acts 10:4), emphasizing that sincere devotion from any background can move God to action and open doors to divine revelation and salvation.

Acts 10 5 Commentary

Acts 10:5, while brief, is profound in its theological implications. It illustrates God's proactive nature in salvation history, initiating a connection between a Gentile God-fearer and a key apostle, Peter. This divine intervention bypasses conventional Jewish-Gentile segregation, demonstrating God's impartiality and His desire to include all nations. The precision of the command—specifying messengers, location, and the exact individual by both common and apostolic names—underscores God's sovereign control and meticulous planning. It's a testament to God's careful orchestration of events to fulfill His eternal purposes, ensuring the Gospel reaches the uttermost parts of the earth, as promised in Acts 1:8. This directive isn't merely an administrative order; it is a catalyst for radical theological shift, setting the stage for Peter's own conversion in understanding the breadth of God's grace and love for all humanity. This passage affirms that when God commands, He provides the necessary details, and obedience is crucial for His plan to unfold.