1Cornelius, a devout centurion, being commanded by an angel, sendeth for Peter; 9who in the meantime is prepared by an heavenly vision: 17and, receiving a command from the Spirit, goeth with the messengers to Caesarea. 25Cornelius receiveth him with great respect, and sheweth the occasion of his sending for him. 34Peter preacheth Christ to him and his company: 44the Holy Ghost falleth on them, whereupon they are baptized.
1THERE was a certain man in 1Cæsarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the 2band called 3the Italian band,
1 There were at that time more cities by this name; but here is spoken of Cæsarea Palestine, before called the Tower of Strato, and, in honor of Emperor Augustus, Herod re-named Cæsarea; situated on the Mediterranean Sea, about a day and a half’s journey from Joppa; being one of the principal and strongest cities of Palestine, where the Romans kept commonly a garrison. See Josephus, de bello Jud. lib. 1, cap. 16, and lib. 3, cap. 14.
2 Gr. speira, that is, colonelship, or regiment, of which this company was laid by the Roman Emperor for the keeping of this city.
3 Each regiment had its name, and this one was called the Italian because it consisted of Italian soldiers.
2 A 4devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
4 As such he was already a believer and regenerate, having a right knowledge of the true God of Israel, and of the Messiah Whom the Jews expected, without which these virtues can be in no man. See the following verses 15, 22 and 43.
3He saw 5in a vision evidentlya about 6the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
5 That is, in an apparition before the eyes of his body, as appears from the following and 31st verse. For, at other times the angels have appeared unto men in assumed bodies.
a plainly, clearly.
6 That is, the third hour in the afternoon, which was an ordinary hour of prayer with the Jews, Acts 3:1, when the evening sacrifice began daily to be offered in the temple at Jerusalem, Exod. 29:39.
4And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, 7What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for 8a memorial before God.
7 Namely, that thou desiredst of me.
8 Or, in remembrance. A similitude taken from the sacrifices of the Old Testament, and especially from the offering of incense; whereby the acceptableness of his prayers and alms is given to understand, seeing they are fruits of a true faith, without which neither we nor our works can please God, Rom. 10:14; Heb. 11:6; 1 Peter 2:5.
5And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:
6He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
7And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;
8And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
9¶On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter wentb up 9upon the housetop to pray about 10the sixth hour:
b 2 Kings 4:33; Mat. 6:6.
9 Namely, on the roof, forasmuch as the Jews’ houses were flat on the top; namely, to be alone, and so to pray the more freely.
10 That is, about noon, which was also an accustomed hour of prayer with the Jews. See Psalm 55:17; Dan. 6:10.
10And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into 11a trance,
11 Gr. ecstasis; that is, standing out, when a man is out of himself; and was a vision of the spirit, without means of the outward senses, which then stood still, and had no use. Such visions the prophets had often. See Isa. 6:1; Ezek. 1:1, and in the Revelation of John throughout.
11And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four 12corners, and let down to the earth:
12 Gr. beginnings.
12Wherein were 13all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
13 That is, all manner of, or of all sorts.
13And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
14But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for Ic have never eaten any thing 14that is common or unclean.
c Lev. 11:4; Deut. 14:7.
14 That is, anything which God had forbidden to use for food in the Old Testament. See Lev. 11:4; Deut. 14:7.
15And the voice spake unto him again the second time, Whatd God hath cleansed, that call not thou 15common.
d Mat. 15:11; Rom. 14:17, 20; 1 Tim. 4:4; Titus 1:15.
15 That is, esteem, or name.
16This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
17Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,
18And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
19¶While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit 16said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.
16 Namely, by an internal speaking, as the vision had been inward. See Acts 11:12.
20Arisee17therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, 18doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
e Acts 15:7.
17 Gr. nevertheless.
18 Namely, whether you may do so or not, seeing they are Gentiles.
21Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?
22And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the 19nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear 20words of thee.
19 Namely, with whom he had communion, and in whose law he was instructed, as appears from verse 43, that he believed the prophets.
20 Or, things, matters; namely, which concern salvation, as is expounded by Peter, Acts 11:14.
23Then called he them in, and 21lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and 22certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
21 Or, entertained them, received them.
22 Namely, six in number, as is expressed in Acts 11:12.
24And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and 23near friends.
23 Gr. necessary.
25And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and 24worshipped him.
24 Namely, giving him civil reverence. For, seeing Cornelius knew and feared the true God of Israel, therefore it is not credible that he would have honored Peter as God; but because the honor that he gave him exceeded the (due) measure, and had some show of Divine honor, therefore Peter justly blamed him for it, as the angel also reproves John in a similar case in Rev. 22:9.
26But Peter took him up, saying, Standf up; I myself also am a man.
f Acts 14:14; Rev. 19:10; 22:9.
27And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.
28And he said unto them, Yeg know how that it is an 25unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one 26of another nation; buth God hath shewed me that I should not 27call any man common or unclean.
g Exod. 23:32; 34:15; Deut. 7:2; John 4:9; 18:28; Acts 11:3.
25 Although we find no clear prohibition hereof in the Old Testament, nevertheless this was an ordinance and custom among the Jews, grounded upon good reason, that they might not hold too near communion with the Gentiles and other profane men, that they might not be tempted by them to idolatry, or other of their sins. See Exod. 23:32; Joshua 23:7, 12; 2 Cor. 6:14; 2 John verse 10; Rev. 18:4, etc.
26 Gr. allophylos, that is, he who is of another people or generation, namely, estranged from the generation of the Jews, and consequently from the promises of God, Eph. 2:12.
h Acts 15:8; Eph. 3:6.
27 Gr. say. See of this matter in verses 34, 35.
29Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I 28was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?
28 Gr. being sent for.
30And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting 29until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, 30a man stood before me ini bright clothing,
29 Namely, of that day. See verse 3.
30 That is, an angel in the shape of a man, verse 3.
i Mat. 28:3; Mark 16:5; Luke 24:4.
31And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had 31in remembrance in the sight of God.
31 See the annotation on verse 4.
32Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.
33Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.
34¶Then Peter opened his 32mouth, and said, Of a truth 33I perceive thatj God is 34no respecter of persons:
32 Of this phrase see the annotation at Mat. 5 on verse 2.
33 That is, I find, comprehend.
j Deut. 10:17; 2 Chron. 19:7; Job 34:19; Rom. 2:11; Gal. 2:6; Eph. 6:9; Col. 3:25; 1 Peter 1:17.
34 That God does not look upon the outward condition of man, that anyone would be acceptable to Him because he is a Jew or Greek, poor or rich, noble or ignoble, Gal. 5:6 and 6:15; Col. 3:11. And here it is especially referred to the times of the New Testament, in which the difference, between the Jews and Gentiles and consequently also of the working of the Holy Ghost in the one people more than in the other, is taken away by the coming of Christ, as appears from the following verse.
35Butk in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
k Isa. 56:6.
3635The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, 36preachingl37peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
35 Or, according to the word that; or, concerning the word.
36 Gr. evangelizing.
l Isa. 9:6; 52:7; John 16:33; Rom. 5:1; Col. 1:20.
37 Namely, with God, and all other nations with one another. See Eph. 2:13.
37That word, I say, ye 38know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and beganm from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
38 Namely, by the rumors and testimonies of those who have heard and seen it, Mat. 4:24.
m Isa. 9:1, 2; Mat. 4:12; Mark 1:14, 38, 39; Luke 4:14.
38Hown God 39anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for 40God was with him.
n Psalm 45:7; Isa. 61:1; Luke 4:18.
39 That is, abundantly endowed, John 3:34.
40 Namely, the Father was with Christ; not only by His gifts according to the human nature, but also by the same Essence and the same power, according to His Divine nature, whereby He did all these miracles. See John 10:30, 38, and 14:9, 10.
39And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
40Himo God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
o Mark 16:14; Luke 24:34; John 20:19; Acts 2:24; 1 Cor. 15:5.
41Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen 41before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
41 The Greek word cheirotonein, which is used here, signifies properly by lifting up of hands to choose or to ordain; and is hereafter, in Acts 14:23, used concerning the choosing of ordinary ministers by the approval and assent of the church, to which this extraordinary choosing of the apostles here is opposed, as being done by lifting up or stretching forth of God’s hand alone.
42Andp he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained ofq God to be the Judge of 42quick and dead.
p Mat. 28:19; Mark 16:15; John 15:16.
q Acts 17:31.
42 That is, of those who shall yet be alive at the last day, 1 Cor. 15:51, 52; 1 Thes. 4:15, 17.
43Tor him give all the prophets witness, thats43through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
r Gen. 3:15; 22:18; 26:4; 49:10; Deut. 18:15; Psalm 132:11; Isa. 4:2; 7:14; 9:6; 40:10; Jer. 23:5; 33:14; Ezek. 34:23; 37:24; Dan. 9:24; Micah 7:20.
s Acts 15:9.
43 That is, through Him, or for His sake, as Who became a Sacrifice for our sins, and thereby has brought about an eternal reconciliation for all who believe in Him, Heb. 5:9 and 9:12.
44¶Whilet Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost 44fell on all them which heard the word.
t Acts 8:17.
44 That is, came upon them, by His extraordinary gifts and operations. See verse 46.
45And they of 45the circumcision which believed were 46astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
45 That is, who were of the Jews, Rom. 4:12.
46 Namely, thinking that this promise belonged only to the house of Israel, from certain prophecies of the prophets, which they understood amiss, which Paul expounds in Romans 9; 10; 11.
46Foru they heard them speak 47with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
u Mark 16:17; Acts 2:4.
47 Or, with foreign languages.
47Canv any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
v Acts 8:36; 11:17.
48And 48he commanded them 49to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
48 Namely, either that all things would be made ready, in order that he himself might baptize them; or, he thus commanded others who were come with him, and were teachers also, as the apostles had almost always some with them, who did this ministration. See 1 Cor. 1:17.
49 Namely, for approval and confirmation of their faith, and of the gifts which they had already received; as Paul speaks of circumcision administered to Abraham, Rom. 4:11.