Acts 11 7

Acts 11:7 kjv

And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.

Acts 11:7 nkjv

And I heard a voice saying to me, 'Rise, Peter; kill and eat.'

Acts 11:7 niv

Then I heard a voice telling me, 'Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.'

Acts 11:7 esv

And I heard a voice saying to me, 'Rise, Peter; kill and eat.'

Acts 11:7 nlt

And I heard a voice say, 'Get up, Peter; kill and eat them.'

Acts 11 verses

Acts 11 7 Meaning

Acts 11:7 recounts a specific moment from Peter's divine vision in Joppa, as he later explains it to the believers in Jerusalem. In this verse, a voice from heaven directly commands Peter to "Rise, Peter; kill and eat." This command challenged Peter's deeply ingrained Jewish identity and adherence to the dietary laws of the Old Covenant, which strictly prohibited the consumption of unclean animals. The meaning of this verse is foundational to understanding the New Covenant's inclusiveness: it signifies the abolition of ceremonial dietary restrictions, and by extension, symbolizes God's acceptance of Gentiles into the Christian community, declaring all people, like all foods, now "clean" through faith in Christ.

Acts 11 7 Context

Acts 11:7 is part of Peter's defense before the Jerusalem church elders and apostles, who are challenging his decision to fellowship and baptize Gentiles. To explain his unprecedented actions, Peter recounts his vision on the rooftop in Joppa (originally described in Acts 10:9-16) and his subsequent encounter with Cornelius and his household (Acts 10:17-48). The verse is precisely the divine command given to Peter in this repeated vision. This event is a crucial turning point in early Christianity, signaling the gospel's transition from being exclusively for Jews to being universally accessible to all, irrespective of their ethnic or ritualistic background. Historically, Jewish Christians rigorously adhered to the Mosaic Law, including dietary regulations, viewing them as intrinsic to their covenant identity. Peter's vision directly challenged this ingrained theological and cultural understanding, opening the door for Gentile inclusion without requiring them to become Jewish proselytes. This encounter laid the groundwork for future apostolic decisions, particularly at the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15.

Acts 11 7 Word analysis

• And I heard (Greek: Κἀγὼ ἤκουσα, Kagō ēkousa): "Kagō" combines kai (and) with egō (I), emphasizing Peter's personal, direct experience of hearing the voice. It stresses that Peter was a direct recipient of this divine communication, not just an observer. This personal hearing adds weight and authority to the revelation he received, vital for convincing the skeptical audience in Jerusalem.
• a voice (Greek: φωνῆς, phōnēs): This indicates a clear auditory phenomenon, not merely a thought or impression. In the biblical narrative, a "voice" often signifies divine communication or revelation, reinforcing the authoritative nature of the message. The repetition of this voice throughout the vision underscores its divine origin and significance.
• saying to me (Greek: λεγούσης μοι, legousēs moi): This signifies direct and personal instruction. The present participle "legousēs" emphasizes the ongoing nature of the communication within the vision. Peter is being directly addressed and given a command, not an option.
• Rise, Peter; (Greek: ἀναστάς, Πέτρε, anastas, Petre):
  • Rise (anastas): An imperative verb. It suggests immediate action and readiness. The act of "rising" also carries symbolic weight of moving from a state of rest or contemplation to activity. It implies preparation for what is to come, an urgent call to overcome existing habits or perceptions. In the context of vision, it may imply preparing for a significant revelation.
  • Peter (Petre): A direct vocative address. Using his specific name reinforces the personal nature of the command and his apostolic commission. This highlights that God is specifically calling him to this particular and challenging task, implying it is part of his unique ministry.
• kill (Greek: θῦσον, thyson): An imperative verb derived from thýō. While it primarily means "to slaughter" or "kill," this word also frequently carried the connotation of "to sacrifice" in Hellenistic Greek. In this context, it is a straightforward command to slay animals for consumption. This command directly clashes with Peter's long-standing obedience to the Levitical laws, especially considering the unclean animals present in the vision, highlighting the radical nature of the divine instruction.
• and eat (Greek: καὶ φάγε, kai phages): A simple imperative, "eat." This command completes the action, directly telling Peter to consume the very animals Jewish law forbade. The combination of "kill and eat" is the central, provocative act, designed to challenge Peter's, and the wider Jewish church's, deep-seated theological and cultural norms concerning ritual purity and who constitutes God's acceptable people.

Acts 11 7 Bonus section

The vision Peter experiences in Acts 10-11, where this verse originates, is shown to him thrice, a biblical motif that often emphasizes divine confirmation, certainty, and supreme importance (cf. Pharoah's dream in Gen 41:32 or Jesus asking Peter "Do you love me?" thrice in John 21). This repetition ensured Peter understood the divine authority behind the unprecedented command, leaving no room for doubt that God was indeed behind this revolutionary change. The sheet descending from heaven containing all types of animals signifies God's complete ownership and authority over all creation, implying that His decision to cleanse extends to all categories of people, regardless of their past "unclean" status in Jewish tradition. The setting on a rooftop at lunchtime indicates a mundane, human need (hunger) being used as the context for profound spiritual revelation, showing how God meets individuals where they are. This shift wasn't a human invention but a divine directive that reshaped the mission and identity of the early Church.

Acts 11 7 Commentary

Acts 11:7 encapsulates a pivotal moment in the expansion of Christianity, detailing Peter's direct divine instruction to disregard Jewish dietary laws. This verse isn't merely about food; it's a symbolic dismantling of the barrier separating Jews from Gentiles, reflecting God's impartial grace. Peter's experience of hearing a clear, authoritative voice commanding him to "kill and eat" the previously unclean animals underscores the divine origin and irreversible nature of this new revelation. It forced Peter to confront deeply ingrained traditions and prejudices. The command challenged Peter’s piety and revealed that God's people were no longer defined by external rituals or ethnicity but by faith in Christ. This vision paved the way for the church to understand that salvation was universally offered, leading directly to the inclusion of Cornelius's household and the subsequent growth of the multi-ethnic Christian community. This principle extends to our understanding today that legalistic adherence to external rules does not determine one's spiritual standing; instead, inner transformation through Christ is paramount, and unity in faith transcends cultural and historical boundaries.