Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 10:23
Then called he them in, and lodged [them.] And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
23. Then called he them in, and lodged them ] This was the first step towards laying aside the scruples to which the Jews were so much attached.
And on the morrow Peter went away with them ] The best texts read “And on the morrow he arose and went forth with them.”
and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him ] In Act 11:12 we are told they were six in number, and in Act 10:45 of this chapter they are called “they of the circumcision which believed.” So these men were Jews, and Peter took them for his companions that he might, if need were, afterwards appeal to them for testimony of what was done, and to explain why he had acted as he did. No doubt they were informed by him of the message which the servants of Cornelius had brought, and the good repute of this devout man would weigh with them and make them ready to go.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And lodged them – They remained with him through the night. Four days were occupied before Peter met Cornelius at Caesarea. On the first the angel appeared to Cornelius. On the second the messengers arrived at Joppa, Act 10:9. On the third, Peter returned with them, Act 10:23; and on the fourth they arrived at Caesarea, Act 10:24, Act 10:30.
And certain brethren – Some Christians. They were six in number, Act 11:12. It was usual for the early Christians to accompany the apostles in their journeys. See Rom 15:24; Act 15:3; 3Jo 1:6; 1Co 16:6, 1Co 16:11. As this was an important event in the history of the church – the bearing of the gospel to a Gentile – it was more natural and proper that Peter should be attended with others.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 23. Then called he them in, c.] They had already walked a long journey in a short time, and needed refreshment and it was thought expedient they should rest that night with Simon the tanner.
Certain brethren from Joppa] They were six in number, as we learn from Ac 11:12. It was necessary that there should be several witnesses of the important transactions which were about to take place; as on no slight evidence would even the converted Jews believe that repentance unto life, and the Holy Spirit, should be granted to the Gentiles.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
And on the morrow Peter went away with them; he delays not to obey the heavenly vision; but as Abraham took his journey the very next morning after that he had received the command, Gen 22:3, so did Peter here, and bis dat qui cito dat, he doubles his obedience that obeys speedily and cheerfully.
And certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him; these brethren were six in number, as Act 11:12; who might undertake this journey,
1. Out of respect to Peter, to accompany him.
2. Being moved at the extraordinary visions that were spoken of. But especially:
3. Disposed by the providence of God to accompany St. Peter, that they might testify the grace of God that was come unto the Gentiles, when it might be afterwards questioned.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
23. called them in and lodgedthemthus partially anticipating this fellowship with Gentiles.
Peter went . . . with them,and certain brethrensix in number (Ac11:12).
from Joppaas witnessesof a transaction which Peter was prepared to believe pregnant withgreat consequences.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Then called he them in,…. Into Simon’s house; not “into his own house”, as the Ethiopic version adds; as yet they stood without, before the gate of the house; he took them in, no doubt, with the leave of Simon, his host, and set provisions before them, and lodged them that night:
and in the morning Peter went away with them; the next morning he set out with them towards Caesarea:
and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him; there were six of them, as appears from Ac 11:12 these went with him, not only to bear him company, and out of respect to him; but to be witnesses of what might be seen, heard, said, or done, and for Peter, should there be any occasion for it, as there afterwards was.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Lodged them (). Active voice here rather than passive as in 10:6.
Accompanied him ( ). Associative instrumental case after verb. The wisdom of having these half dozen Jewish Christians from Joppa with Peter in the house of Cornelius in Caesarea becomes manifest in Jerusalem (11:12).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “Then called he them in, and lodged them,” (eiskalesamenos oun autous eksenisen) “Therefore he called them in (for the night) and lodged them,” paid for their lodging or extended Christian hospitality to them, to the three Gentiles from Cornelius’ house, Heb 13:2; whom he once considered unclean, Act 10:13-15.
2) “And on the morrow Peter went away with them,” (te de epaurion anastas ekselthen sun autois) “And on the next day he arose and went out and away in company with them,” first commissioned by the church and apostles from Jerusalem and second, called by the Spirit of God and an angel from God for this special mission to the Gentile house of Cornelius, Act 8:14; Act 10:5; Act 10:19-20.
3) “And certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him,” (kai tines adelphon ton apo loppa sunelthon auto) “And some of the brethren (of the Joppa brethren) went In church company with him,” to go down to Cornelius’ house, at least six of the church brethren, Act 11:12; Act 10:45-47.
They went as friends, witnesses to the truth of what he had to say, and as missionary helpers in any way they could be used in Caesarea with Peter, 1Co 3:8-9.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
23. And Peter also, being overcome with the authority of God, deliberateth no longer, but lodgeth the men, that he may go with them forthwith. So we must meekly submit ourselves to God; and there remaineth nothing after that we know his will, but that we run speedily thither whither he calleth us. There is no difficulty in the rest.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(23) Then called he them in.As it was about noon when Peter went up to the house-top to pray, the arrival of the messengers, allowing an adequate interval for the trance and the vision, may be placed at some time in the afternoon.
Certain brethren from Joppa.We learn from Act. 11:12, that they were six in number. They were obviously taken that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word might be established (Deu. 17:6; Deu. 19:15), that they might report to the Church at Joppa what had been done by the Apostle whom they had learnt to reverence.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
23. Certain brethren Six in number, (Act 11:12,) for the purpose doubtless of being witnesses to testify and defend, if Peter were arraigned for being too free with Gentiles.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘So he called them in and lodged them. And on the morrow he arose and went forth with them, and certain of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him.’
So Peter, still puzzling over his vision, and thinking that the two strange events may be connected, said that he would accompany them, meanwhile offering them hospitality for the night. There was no difficulty in this except to the most strict of Jews, especially in a tanner’s house. The niceties would still be observed, along with Jewish scruples. And accordingly next day he did accompany them, taking with him a number of Jewish Christians from Joppa (six in all – Act 11:12 – making with himself the perfect number seven and hopefully sufficient if the three men intended mischief to combat it).
The taking of six fellow-Christians may have been because he felt that their support in prayer might be helpful, or because he was a little apprehensive about going to see a Roman centurion alone in case he was arrested and disappeared without trace. (If a Roman centurion from the provincial capital called for you to go and see him it was usually a good idea to do so, but it could also carry unpleasant consequences). Or he may have felt that they might be known to the centurion, or at least be looked on as ‘locals’, and might thus make the visit easier. After all Cornelius was supposed to be known to the Jews of the area. Or he may already have in mind that he might need witnesses to combat any false rumours. The witness of seven men would be indisputable. He had no doubt learned from past experience that witnesses could be valuable when something controversial was happening. Indeed he may have had a mixture of such reasons.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
The meeting of Peter and Cornelius:
v. 23. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
v. 24. And the morrow after they entered in to Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.
v. 25. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshiped him.
v. 26. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
v. 27. And as he talked with him, he went in and found many that were come together.
v. 28. And he said unto’ them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
v. 29. Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for. I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me. It was not possible for Peter to leave Joppa at once, principally because he wanted some of the brethren from Joppa to accompany him on this trip. But the next morning the messengers set out with Peter, and some of the members of the congregation at Joppa went with them. Since they did not travel quite so fast as the servants with the soldier had in coming down, they were on the road all day and did not reach Caesarea until the next morning. But Cornelius, versed in military matters, had figured out with considerable exactness when be might look for them. He was confidently expecting them on that morning, and had therefore called together his relatives and his intimate friends, such upon whose discretion he could depend, and who were probably of a like mind with him concerning the worship of the true God. The state of mind in which Cornelius found himself on this morning may be pictured from his behavior when Peter finally entered his house. Acting upon the idea, no doubt, that the servant and messenger of the Lord, whose very coming was directed by an angel, must be worthy of extraordinary relevance, he advanced to meet Peter and fell down at his feet to worship him, to honor God in him. But Peter wanted nothing of such worship. He lifted Cornelius to his feet, gently chiding him meanwhile, by bidding him get up, since he himself was only a man. Note: This plain statement of Peter ought to discourage every idea of saint worship; for if he refuses to accept such adoration while he could hear the prayers that might be directed to him, how much more must it be considered foolish and harmful to address prayers to him now that he is removed from the presence of the Christian congregation! Immediately after this greeting the two men started a conversation and, while they were conversing together, entered into the inner room, the atrium, where Peter found many people assembled, all waiting, in interested expectation, for the words which Peter was to speak to them. The apostle first of all addressed a few words to the assembly to make the situation clear; for they were very well aware how “unlawful,” how much at variance with the Law as understood by the Jews, his behavior must be, since he, a Jew, was here coming to, and intermingling with, Gentiles, people of a foreign race, in any way becoming intimate with them. Note the tact of Peter in using the word “of foreign race” instead of the harsher “heathen. ” There was no express prohibition of such behavior by Moses, but the traditions of the rabbis carried the principle of separation to such an extreme. But Peter here declares, not only that God had told him, but that He had distinctly and unmistakably shown him, that he should not speak of nor call any person common and unclean. The men present in the house of Cornelius may not have been members of the Jewish Church by virtue of circumcision, but they belonged to the people for whose sake the Messiah had come, and were therefore entitled to the preaching of the Gospel. Knowing this, Peter had come to them without contradiction or resistance, in simple obedience to the word of the Lord, when they had’ sent for him. And now his question was for what purpose they had sent for him, what object they had in making him travel this distance and appear before them.
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Act 10:23. And lodged them Or hospitably entertained them that night, . The next day St. Peter went along with them, and six Jewish Christians from Joppa accompanied him. It is probable that the apostle himself desired them to go along with him, that they might be witnesses of what happened, as this was an affair in which some difficulties might arise, and some censure be incurred from the Jewish converts, and such as were not apprised of his divine direction. How pleasing a mixture of prudence and humility!sufficient to teach us, on all proper occasions, to express at once a becoming deference to our brethren, and a prudent caution in our own best intended actions; that even our good may not be evil spoken of, when it lies in our power to prevent it. See Rom 14:16.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
23 Then called he them in, and lodged them . And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
Ver. 23. Certain brethren from Joppa ] Who were well paid for their courteous pains, when (for confirmation of their faith) they beheld the kingdom of Christ propagated and preached to the Gentiles also.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
23. ] This was his first consorting with men uncircumcised and eating with them (ch. Act 11:3 ): though perhaps this latter is not necessarily implied.
. ] Six , ch. Act 11:12 ; in expectation of some weighty event to which hereafter their testimony might be required, as indeed it was, ib.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 10:23 . .: only used here in N.T., so . in Act 10:32 ; both verbs are also frequent in medical writers, as Hobart urges, but both are found in classical Greek, and the latter three times in LXX, although the former not at all. , recepit hospitio , Vulgate, cf. Heb 13:2 , and Westcott, l.c. ; verb used six times in Acts in this sense, but nowhere else in N.T.; cf. Sir 29:25 . In this Christian hospitality to Gentile strangers Peter had taken another step towards understanding what the will of the Lord was. = Act 11:12 .
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Act 10:23-29
23bAnd on the next day he got up and went away with them, and some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him. 24On the following day he entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell at his feet and worshiped him. 26But Peter raised him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am just a man.” 27As he talked with him, he entered and found many people assembled. 28And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a man who is a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit him; and yet God has shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean. 29That is why I came without even raising any objection when I was sent for. So I ask for what reason you have sent for me.”
Act 10:24 “some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him” Act 11:12 says there were six of them. Peter knew that this incident would cause problems among some of the Jewish followers of Jesus. Therefore, he took several witnesses with him (cf. Act 11:12).
“Caesarea” Caesarea was the beautiful city by the sea. It was named in honor of the Roman Caesar. It was the Palestinian quarters for the Roman occupation force. The Romans had made it into a small harbor.
“called together his relatives and close friends” Cornelius, expecting a speaker from God, had called all his close family, friends, servants, and possibly other soldiers. They may have all been waiting for hours and hours. What a spirit of anticipation and expectation must have filled this house! All of these would have been discussing the vision and its message.
This is what shocked the leaders of the Jewish segment of the church, that a large number of Gentiles, many of them not God-fearers, had been included in the filling of the Spirit and baptism (cf. Act 10:27).
Act 10:25; Act 10:27 “When Paul entered. . .he entered” There is an apparent discrepancy in the Greek text here. However, the first “entering” mentioned in Act 10:25 could be the city gate on the courtyard of the house, and the second “entering” in Act 10:27 could be Cornelius’ house. Whichever is the case, again Peter is violating Jewish ceremonial ritualism by entering a Gentile home.
Act 10:25 “fell at his feet and worshiped him” This is the regular idiom in the Septuagint and the Gospels for worship. But, in this context “give respect” may better catch the idea (cf. NJB). An angel had prepared Peter’s coming; of course Cornelius would honor and respect this messenger (cf. Rev 19:10; Rev 22:8-9).
Act 10:28 “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a man who is a Jew to associate” Peter is quoting his rabbinical training or synagogue school; however, this is not found in the OT, but simply in rabbinical interpretations.
“a foreigner” This term is another unique text found only here in the NT. Luke has chosen several very rare words in this chapter.
1. eusebs, Act 10:2; Act 10:7, devout (cf. 2Pe 2:9)
2. prospeinos, Act 10:10, hungry
3. dienthumeomai, Act 10:19, reflecting
4. sunomile, Act 10:27, talked
5. athemiton, Act 10:28, unlawful
6. allophul, Act 10:28, foreigner
7. anantirrtos, Act 10:29, without even raising any objections (cf. Act 19:36)
8. prospolmps, Act 10:34, respecter of persons (similar to Rom 2:11; Eph 6:9; Jas 2:19)
9. katadunasteu, Act 10:38, oppress (cf. Jas 2:6)
10. procheirotone, Act 10:41, elect before
It is uncertain whether Luke copied some of these early sermons and events in Acts from other sources or records verbal interviews with those who were present.
“yet God has shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean” Peter got the message! The animals in the sheet represented all human beings made in the image of God (cf. Gen 1:26-27). God’s love for Cornelius and his family and friends showed Peter the worldwide scope of the gospel! This would confirm the witness of Stephen and the preaching of Philip.
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
23. ] This was his first consorting with men uncircumcised and eating with them (ch. Act 11:3): though perhaps this latter is not necessarily implied.
.] Six, ch. Act 11:12; in expectation of some weighty event to which hereafter their testimony might be required, as indeed it was, ib.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Act 10:23. , having called them in) Peter had not moved a step (gone forth) from his house.-, entertained them as guests) not distrusting them as strangers: not disdaining them as Gentiles. At first the Gentiles came to the Jews: afterwards these latter to the former.- , but on the morrow) In the case of a matter, however good, there is not always required urgent haste.-, some) six; ch. Act 11:12. They were not divinely ordered to go; and yet it was with a pious feeling they did so. Many things are often left to the free discretion of the godly; in which, however, they are governed (guided) by the secret hand of GOD. Afterwards it became evident, how advantageous it was, that so many witnesses were present: ch. Act 11:12.[62]-, went with) A holy company, consisting of ten men of various ranks.
[62] They enabled him to meet the charge of those of the circumcision, ch. Act 11:2-E. and T.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
and lodged: Gen 19:2, Gen 19:3, Gen 24:31, Gen 24:32, Jdg 19:19-21, Heb 13:2, 1Pe 4:9
on: Act 10:29, Act 10:33, Ecc 9:10
and certain: Act 10:45, Act 9:38, Act 9:42, Act 11:12, 2Co 8:21
Reciprocal: Act 10:30 – Four Act 11:3 – General Act 15:2 – certain 1Co 7:14 – else
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
3
Act 10:23. It being evening of the day after the men started from home, Peter procured lodging for them over night; the next chapter will explain about certain brethren.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Act 10:23. Then called he them in, and lodged them. Already Peter seems to have learned something of the significance of what had been communicated to him in the trance. To join together in social intercourse with Gentiles was precisely the point of Hebrew scruple. For a Jew to receive a Gentile as an intimate guest into his house was an act unheard of. We see from what follows (Act 10:28, Act 11:3), that to eat with Gentiles was abhorrent to the Jews. It must not, however, be taken as certain that these messengers from Cornelius, though hospitably received, did eat at the same table with Peter and the rest of the inmates in the house of Simon the Tanner.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Act 10:23-24. Then called he them in, and lodged them Or, hospitably entertained them that night. He did not bid them go to an inn, and refresh or repose themselves at their own charge, but was himself at the charge of entertaining them at his own quarters. He lodged them, though they were Gentiles, to show how readily he complied with the design of the vision, in eating with Gentiles. And, though they were two of them servants, and the other a common soldier, yet Peter thought it not below him to take them into his house. And on the morrow went away with them Not delaying to obey the heavenly vision. And certain brethren Namely, six in number, Act 11:12; accompanied him Being probably desired by the apostle to go with him, that they might be witnesses of what happened, as this was an affair in which some difficulties might arise, and some censure be incurred from the Jewish converts, and such as were not apprized of his divine direction. How pleasing a mixture have we here, of prudence and humility! Sufficient to teach us, on all proper occasions, to express at once a becoming deference to our brethren, and prudent caution in our own best intended actions; that even our good may not be evil spoken of, when it lies in our power to prevent it. See Doddridge, and Rom 14:16. And on the morrow after they entered into Cesarea Though it is probable they travelled on foot, yet as Joppa was only about fifteen leagues distant from Cesarea, they might easily arrive there the day after that on which they set out. And Cornelius waited for them Not engaging himself in any secular business during that solemn time, but being altogether intent on this thing. And he called together his kinsmen His relations; and near friends Those with whom he was most intimate, and had the greatest love to. This, he thought, he could not better express, than by giving them an opportunity to hear the word of life, and to gain instruction for their souls. And, probably, those here spoken of were accounted near friends by Cornelius; because they were such as had forsaken all pagan idolatry, and were, with him, worshippers of the true and living God.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
23. As the Spirit had directed, he does not hesitate as to the line of duty, but at once announces to the messengers that the journey shall begin to-morrow. (23) “Then, calling them in, he lodged them; and on the next day Peter went out with them, and certain brethren from Joppa went with him.” It was a wise precaution that he took other brethren with him, so that the whole of this new movement might be properly attested by competent and disinterested witnesses.
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
Peter’s visit to Cornelius 10:23-33
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)
Peter wisely took six other Jewish Christians with him (Act 11:12). A total of seven believers witnessed what took place in Cornelius’ house. The trip from Caesarea to Joppa took part of two days (Act 10:30). Cornelius was so sure Peter would come that even before the apostle arrived he gathered a group of his relatives and friends to listen to him. The text gives no reason to assume that Cornelius knew that Peter was the foremost apostle among the early Christians (cf. Act 10:5). Cornelius had an exemplary concern for the spiritual welfare of others even before he became a Christian (cf. Act 10:27).
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)
After learning their intent, Peter invited them inside and acted as their host. This was very unusual since Jews normally did not provide hospitality for Gentiles. Peter had apparently already begun to understand the meaning of the vision he had seen and began to apply it in his relationships with these Gentiles.
"There may also be some intended irony here, since Peter had earlier protested his scrupulousness about food, all the while staying in the house of a man whose trade made him unclean!" [Note: Witherington, p. 351.]