Acts 11 6

Acts 11:6 kjv

Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

Acts 11:6 nkjv

When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air.

Acts 11:6 niv

I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles and birds.

Acts 11:6 esv

Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air.

Acts 11:6 nlt

When I looked inside the sheet, I saw all sorts of tame and wild animals, reptiles, and birds.

Acts 11 verses

Acts 11 6 Meaning

Acts 11:6 details Peter's visual engagement with the sheet of animals descending from heaven, emphasizing his careful observation and categorization of the diverse creatures presented before him. This verse recounts a specific part of the pivotal vision that challenged his deep-seated Jewish convictions regarding dietary laws and, more broadly, the separation between Jew and Gentile. Peter explicitly notes that he diligently stared at the scene, thoughtfully considered its contents, and identified distinct categories of animals: four-footed beasts, wild beasts, creeping things, and fowls of the air. This meticulous description highlights that Peter fully comprehended the variety of animals, many of which were deemed unclean under Mosaic Law, thus setting the stage for the divine command that followed in the vision.

Acts 11 6 Context

Acts 11:6 is part of Peter's defense to the Jewish believers and apostles in Jerusalem, explaining why he entered the home of uncircumcised Gentiles (Cornelius and his household) and ate with them. Reports of his actions had reached Jerusalem (Acts 11:1-3), causing consternation among those "of the circumcision" who maintained strict separation from Gentiles. In Acts 11:4-17, Peter provides a step-by-step account of the entire supernatural event from Acts 10, beginning with his prayer on the rooftop in Joppa. Verse 6 specifically recounts his detailed observation of the sheet filled with diverse animals, emphasizing his meticulous perception before the voice instructed him to "Arise, Peter; slay and eat" (Acts 10:13, 11:7). This thorough description reinforces that Peter's change in behavior was not arbitrary but a direct consequence of a divine revelation, compelling him to re-evaluate his understanding of cleanliness, defilement, and God's expansive plan of salvation for all humanity.

Acts 11 6 Word analysis

• Upon which: (Gr. ἐφ᾽ ὅ) - Indicating a transition, meaning "upon what" or "at which point." It links the previous statement (the descending sheet) directly to Peter's subsequent actions of observation.

• when I had looked diligently: (Gr. ἀτενίσας - atenisas, from ἀτενίζω atenizō) - This verb means "to fix one's gaze, stare intently, look earnestly." It implies sustained and focused attention, not a casual glance. Peter was not mistaken about what he saw; he thoroughly scrutinized it. This highlights the weight and clarity of the vision, making its challenging implications unmistakable to him.

• I considered: (Gr. κατενόουν - katenooun, from κατανοέω katanoéō) - Means "to observe carefully, perceive, consider, understand, discern." This is more than mere seeing; it's active mental processing and reflection. Peter wasn't just visually scanning; he was trying to comprehend or make sense of the variety presented to him, perhaps in relation to the Law. The imperfect tense suggests an ongoing act of considering.

• and saw: (Gr. εἶδον - eidon, from ὁράω horaō) - A more general term for "to see," simply noting the visual perception. Its inclusion alongside "looked diligently" and "considered" emphasizes that after focused observation and thought, the actual act of seeing the specific types of animals became evident and certain.

• four-footed beasts of the earth: (Gr. τετράποδα τῆς γῆς - tetrapoda tēs gēs) - Refers to quadrupeds, land animals with four feet. This category includes both "clean" and "unclean" animals under Mosaic Law (Leviticus 11:2-8).

• and wild beasts: (Gr. θηρία - thēría) - Denotes beasts, especially fierce, dangerous, or untamed animals. Many would be ritually unclean. This distinguishes them from domesticated or ordinary four-footed beasts.

• and creeping things: (Gr. ἑρπετά - herpetá) - Refers to crawling creatures, including reptiles (snakes, lizards) and various insects. This category overwhelmingly consists of animals strictly forbidden by Mosaic dietary laws (Leviticus 11:29-30, 41-44).

• and fowls of the air: (Gr. πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ - peteiná tou ouranou) - Birds of the sky or winged creatures. This category also included both clean and unclean birds according to the Law (Leviticus 11:13-19).

• "looked diligently, I considered, and saw": This phrase progression emphasizes Peter's deliberate, thoughtful, and comprehensive engagement with the vision. It was not a fleeting glimpse but a thorough assessment. This intentionality confirms that he knew exactly what was presented, making his immediate refusal and subsequent divine instruction a profound challenge to his deeply ingrained beliefs.

• "four-footed beasts... wild beasts... creeping things... fowls of the air": These are comprehensive categories, effectively encompassing virtually all types of terrestrial and avian creatures, specifically highlighting that many, if not most, of them would have been considered ritually "unclean" according to the Mosaic Law. The very sight of them presented a profound challenge to Peter's Jewish identity and religious understanding, as the vision contained a collection that embodied defilement from his perspective.

Acts 11 6 Bonus section

• The repetition of the vision (three times) in Acts 10, and Peter recounting it in Acts 11, underscores its crucial importance for the early church's understanding of salvation for Gentiles and the abrogation of ceremonial laws. This redundancy is a literary device highlighting divine emphasis.
• The types of animals presented symbolize all of humanity outside the chosen people, those traditionally seen as "unclean" or "common" by Jewish standards. The vision fundamentally dismantled the concept of human categories based on ritual purity or ethnicity, extending the boundaries of God's covenant.
• The meticulous detailing by Peter also serves as a pedagogical tool for the Jerusalem believers, patiently leading them through his transformative experience, inviting them to consider how God was acting outside their preconceived boundaries.

Acts 11 6 Commentary

Acts 11:6 serves to reinforce the overwhelming and undeniable nature of Peter's vision. By meticulously listing the diverse categories of animals – many of which were anathema under Jewish dietary laws – Peter impresses upon his Jerusalem audience that he fully grasped the challenging implications of what he was seeing. His "diligent looking" and "considering" confirm that the vision's contents were unmistakable; he understood perfectly well that he was confronted with a vast array of ritually "unclean" creatures. This specificity in his account pre-empts any argument that he might have misinterpreted or been unclear about the nature of the vision. It was precisely because these animals represented everything a devout Jew avoided that the subsequent command to "slay and eat" (Acts 11:7) would have been so jarring and utterly counter-intuitive to Peter, preparing the ground for the radical theological shift revealed in the vision's ultimate message of Gentile inclusion. This verse, therefore, establishes the gravity of the challenge to Peter's ingrained theological understanding, making the revelation of God's universal love all the more potent.