Acts 11 13

Acts 11:13 kjv

And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;

Acts 11:13 nkjv

And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, 'Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter,

Acts 11:13 niv

He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, 'Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter.

Acts 11:13 esv

And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, 'Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter;

Acts 11:13 nlt

He told us how an angel had appeared to him in his home and had told him, 'Send messengers to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter.

Acts 11 verses

Acts 11 13 Meaning

Acts 11:13 details Peter's recounting of Cornelius's angelic vision to the Jerusalem church. The angel instructed Cornelius to send for Simon Peter in Joppa, who would deliver a message leading to salvation for Cornelius and his entire household. This verse highlights divine intervention, the instrumental role of God's chosen messenger, and the universal scope of the Gospel's salvific power, extending beyond Jewish boundaries to Gentiles and their families.

Acts 11 13 Context

Acts chapter 11 records Peter's defense to the Jewish believers in Jerusalem, who had heard that he entered and ate with uncircumcised men. His actions were radical within Jewish society, as association with Gentiles rendered one ritually unclean. Peter meticulously recounts the entire sequence of events from Acts 10 – his vision of the clean and unclean animals, the Spirit's direct instruction to go with Cornelius's messengers, his preaching in Cornelius's house, and crucially, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles as they heard the word. Verse 13 is part of this detailed recounting, where Peter relays Cornelius's account of the angelic vision and command to summon Peter. This specific detail provides the divine authorization for Peter's unconventional actions, justifying the inclusion of Gentiles into the Christian community to the skeptical Jewish-Christian audience. The historical/cultural context involves the deeply ingrained segregation between Jews and Gentiles, the Jewish adherence to purity laws derived from the Torah, and their exclusive understanding of God's covenant blessings.

Acts 11 13 Word analysis

• He reported (ἀπήγγειλεν - apēngeilen): Peter is relaying information, specifically Cornelius's account. This signifies testimony and factual communication to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem, aiming to convince them. It is presented as an objective report of an experience.
• how he had seen (πῶς εἶδεν - pōs eiden): Emphasizes that Cornelius's experience was a genuine, personal vision, a divine manifestation. This wasn't hearsay but a direct encounter with a heavenly being, lending significant authority to the instruction.
• the angel (τὸν ἄγγελον - ton angelon): From Greek angelos, meaning "messenger." This refers to a divine messenger from God, implying direct divine communication and authority behind the instructions given to Cornelius. Angels often serve as intermediaries in biblical history between God and humanity.
• standing in his house: Suggests a visible, tangible presence, not a dream. The domestic setting makes the appearance particularly personal and impactful for Cornelius and his household.
• and saying: The angel's appearance was accompanied by specific, spoken instructions. This indicates a direct command and not a mere vision to be interpreted, removing ambiguity about the required action.
• 'Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter': This is a direct command from the angel to Cornelius, providing a very specific instruction: go to a particular city (Joppa) and fetch a specific individual (Simon Peter). This shows God's sovereign hand orchestrating the encounter and designating Peter as His chosen vessel.
• who will declare to you words (ὃς λαλήσει ῥήματα - hos lalēsei rhēmata): "Words" (ῥήματα - rhēmata) here signify a message, particularly a divine revelation or gospel truth. Peter is not just a visitor; he is a divinely appointed spokesperson who will communicate specific truths essential for salvation. It implies that these are not just human words but words endowed with divine power and authority.
• by which you and all your household will be saved: This is the profound purpose and promise. "Saved" (σωθήσῃ - sōthēsē) refers to spiritual salvation, deliverance from sin, and the attainment of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. The inclusion of "all your household" is highly significant, reflecting the biblical pattern of corporate salvation, where the faith of the head of the house often opens the door for the entire family unit. This extends the promise beyond the individual to the whole family, emphasizing the Gospel's inclusive reach.

Acts 11 13 Bonus section

• The detail of "standing in his house" underscores the accessibility and directness of God's communication to Cornelius, a Gentile, prior to the arrival of any human preacher. This pre-gospel encounter demonstrates God's prior work in preparing hearts even outside traditional Israelite covenant structures.
• The repetitive nature of Peter recounting Cornelius's story (Acts 10, then Acts 11) indicates the crucial importance of establishing the divine authority behind Gentile inclusion. Luke, the author of Acts, uses this literary device to impress upon his readers the significance of this shift in the early church's mission.
• The angel tells Cornelius to send for Peter, but Peter is the one who declares the words. This distinction highlights the complementary roles in evangelism: divine preparation and orchestration, followed by human instrumentality in delivering the message of salvation.

Acts 11 13 Commentary

Acts 11:13 serves as a pivotal point in Peter's defense before the Jewish leadership in Jerusalem. By recounting Cornelius's angelic vision, Peter meticulously demonstrates that the initiative for reaching Gentiles came directly from God. The specific instruction to "bring Simon who is called Peter" highlights Peter's divine appointment as the evangelist to the first Gentile converts, echoing his role on Pentecost for the Jews. The core of the angelic message is that Peter would speak "words," emphasizing the primacy of the preached Gospel for salvation. The profound promise that Cornelius "and all your household will be saved" shatters the existing religious and social barriers. It affirms that God's plan of salvation, rooted in Abrahamic promises, was never exclusive but always intended to bless all nations. This divine validation compelled the skeptical Jewish believers to acknowledge God's inclusive grace, paving the way for the broader mission to the Gentiles. It is a testament to God's careful orchestration of salvation history, breaking down deep-seated prejudices through clear revelation and the power of His Spirit-empowered word.