Acts 10 9

Acts 10:9 kjv

On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:

Acts 10:9 nkjv

The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour.

Acts 10:9 niv

About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray.

Acts 10:9 esv

The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray.

Acts 10:9 nlt

The next day as Cornelius's messengers were nearing the town, Peter went up on the flat roof to pray. It was about noon,

Acts 10 verses

Acts 10 9 Meaning

Acts 10:9 describes a significant moment when the Apostle Peter, while staying in Joppa, went up to the flat rooftop of the house around noon for prayer. This specific timing and setting were divinely orchestrated as messengers from the devout Gentile Cornelius were nearing the city, setting the stage for Peter's transformative vision and the momentous inclusion of Gentiles into the early Christian community, thereby breaking down traditional barriers.

Acts 10 9 Context

Acts chapter 10 recounts a pivotal event in early Christianity: the inclusion of Gentiles into the Christian faith, specifically through the conversion of Cornelius, a Roman centurion, and his household. The narrative begins with Cornelius receiving a divine vision, instructing him to send for Peter. Acts 10:9 serves as a bridge, describing Peter's prayer time that providentially coincides with the arrival of Cornelius's messengers. Peter is currently residing in Joppa with Simon the tanner. This moment sets the scene for God to reveal to Peter that the gospel is not exclusively for the Jews, and that the long-standing Mosaic purity laws, particularly those related to food and association with Gentiles, are to be superseded by the New Covenant. The chapter details God's initiation of the breakthrough, using Peter, a key Jewish apostle, to break traditional barriers and signify a major expansion of the Gospel "to the ends of the earth," fulfilling the mandate of Acts 1:8.

Acts 10 9 Word analysis

• The next day (τῇ ἐπαύριον, tē epaurion): A temporal marker signifying the narrative's progression, directly linking Peter's activities to the unfolding divine plan that began with Cornelius's vision. It underscores God's precise orchestration of events.
• as they were on their journey (ὁδευόντων αὐτῶν, hodeuontōn autōn): Refers to the two servants and the devout soldier dispatched by Cornelius from Caesarea (Acts 10:7-8). This indicates they were actively traveling, emphasizing their continuous movement towards Joppa and the impending divine rendezvous. The journey was approximately 30-35 miles.
• and approaching the city (ἐγγιζόντων τῇ πόλει, engizōntōn tē polei): Specifically refers to Joppa (modern Jaffa), where Peter was staying (Acts 9:43). This detail creates suspense and highlights the synchronous divine timing, with Peter's vision commencing just as the Gentile visitors draw near.
• Peter (Πέτρος, Petros): The primary apostle to the Jews (Gal 2:7), whose understanding of clean/unclean and Jewish/Gentile distinctions is about to be radically challenged and transformed by God, signifying a crucial shift in the early church's mission.
• went up (ἀνέβη, anebē): Indicates a deliberate ascent. This physical movement mirrors a spiritual seeking and elevation, preparing Peter for divine communication.
• on the housetop (ἐπὶ τὸ δῶμα, epi to doma): The doma (δῶμα) refers to the flat roof, a common feature of houses in the ancient Middle East. Rooftops served various purposes: sleeping, storing items, drying, and importantly, providing a secluded, elevated space for prayer, meditation, and quiet contemplation away from household activity. It offered solitude and an unimpeded view, conducive to spiritual reflection. (See Deut 22:8, Neh 8:16 for examples of rooftop use).
• about the sixth hour (περὶ ὥραν ἕκτην, peri hōran hektēn): Refers to noon, or 12:00 PM, according to Roman time reckoning. This aligns with one of the traditional daily Jewish prayer times (the "sixth hour" was observed by devout Jews for prayer, along with the third and ninth hours – 9 AM and 3 PM). This detail emphasizes Peter's adherence to his Jewish customs even as God prepares to transcend those customs. It also sets up the element of hunger (Acts 10:10).
• to pray (προσεύξασθαι, proseuxasthai): Peter's purpose for ascending to the housetop. This underlines his devoutness and readiness for divine communication. It highlights the fundamental role of prayer as the means by which God often reveals His will and draws believers into His purposes.

• The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city: This phrase group meticulously establishes the divine synchronicity. While the messengers fulfill Cornelius's human command to travel, God's providential hand is aligning their arrival with Peter's moment of readiness. It paints a picture of two converging paths – human initiative guided by divine foresight – all coming to a head at a precisely chosen time and place.
• Peter went up on the housetop: This indicates Peter's intentional action of seeking a private and conducive environment for spiritual communion. The act of ascending physically suggests an intent to rise above daily distractions, creating an atmosphere receptive to heavenly messages. The "housetop" serves as a private altar or prayer closet for Peter.
• about the sixth hour to pray: This conjunction highlights the intersection of Peter's consistent spiritual discipline with God's imminent revelation. His practice of traditional Jewish prayer at noon positions him perfectly for God to challenge and expand his understanding, particularly through a vision related to food, cleanliness, and Gentile inclusion that interrupts his hunger. His hunger for food will be superseded by God’s hunger for all to know Him.

Acts 10 9 Bonus section

• The specific setting in Joppa, a coastal town, is significant. Joppa was a port city, naturally exposed to various cultures, including Gentiles, making it a fitting geographical location for God to broaden Peter's understanding of Gentile inclusion. Peter's stay with Simon the tanner (Acts 9:43) already signals a boundary being tested, as tanners dealt with dead animal skins, which rendered them ceremonially unclean to many strict Jews.
• Peter's state of hunger, explicitly mentioned in Acts 10:10 immediately following this verse, provides a crucial context for the ensuing vision involving animals, food, and the re-evaluation of dietary laws. His physical need (hunger) aligns perfectly with the symbolic nature of the vision (food on a sheet), highlighting how God often meets us in our everyday experiences and needs to deliver deeper spiritual truth.
• This verse, preceding the detailed vision, demonstrates the active preparedness of Peter for the revelation. He wasn't idle; he was engaged in the spiritual practice of prayer, showing his receptiveness to God's voice and guidance, even if it meant challenging his deeply ingrained cultural and religious paradigms.

Acts 10 9 Commentary

Acts 10:9 marks the divine convergence of human piety and providential timing, setting the scene for one of the New Testament's most revolutionary events. Peter's ascent to the housetop for his noon prayer exemplifies his ongoing Jewish devotion, adhering to established customs of prayer. It is within this disciplined context that God initiates a profound expansion of Peter's (and the early church's) understanding regarding who can enter God's family. The synchronized arrival of Cornelius's Gentile messengers underscores God's sovereign control, bringing His agents into alignment for a revelation that would break down centuries of social and religious barriers. This moment of personal prayer directly leads to a public breakthrough, showing that spiritual discipline prepares the heart for divine instruction and participation in God's broader redemptive plan for all humanity.