Acts 10

1 An Angel appeareth unto Cornelius the Captain at Cesarea as he fasted and prayed, 5 Commandeth him to send Peter from Joppa, and to be informed by him, 7 who sendeth his servants: 9 In the mean time Peter is instructed by a vision of a linen cloth with all manner of beasts as well clean as unclean, let down from heaven, and by speaking to him that the difference between Jews and Gentiles was now taken away, 17 The servants of Cornelius come to Peter, 16 who being warned by God goeth with them towards Cesarea, 24 where Cornelius with his friends were assembled, and receiveth him with great reverence, 28 Peter relates what was related unto him by God, 30 as likewise doth Cornelius. 34 Peter preacheth Christ to Cornelius and his (family,) 44 And they thereupon receive the holy Ghost, 46 speake with strange tongues, 47 and are baptized.

1. And there was a certain man at Cesarea [There were at that time more Cities of this name: but here is spoken of Cesarea Palestine, before called the Tower of Strato, and by Herod in honour of Augustus Cesar re-named Cesarea, lying on the Midland Se, about a day and halfs journey from Joppa: being one of the principall and strongest Cities of Palestine, where the Romans kept an ordinary Garrison. See Joseph.de bell. Jud.lib. 1.cap. 16.and lib.3.cap.14.] by name Cornelius, a Captain over an hundred of the band [Gr. Speira i.e. Collonelship or Regiment; of which this company was laid by the Romane Emperour for the keeping of this City] called the Italian because it consisted of Italian souldiers.]

2. Religious and fearing God [Therefore he was already a believer and regenerate, having a right knowledge of the true God of Israel, and of the Messias whom the Jews expected, without which these vertues can be in no man. See the following 15. 22. 43.verses] with all his house, and giving much alms to the people, and praying to God continually.

3. (This man) saw in a vision cleerly, [That is, in an apparition before the eyes of his body, as appears from the following and 31 verses: for the Angels at other times have appeared unto men in assumed bodies] about the ninth houre of the day, [that is, the third after no one, which was an ordinary houre of prayer with the Jews, Acts 3:1.when the evening sacrifice began dayly to be offered in the temple at Jerusalem, Exodus 29:39.] an Angel of God come in into him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.

4. And he holding his eyes upon him, and being greatly afraid said, what is it Lord? [Namely, that thou desirest of me] And he said unto him, thy prayers and thine almes are come up in remembrance before God. [Or in remembrance or for a memorial. A similitude taken from the sacrificies of the old Testament, and especially from the offering of incense: whereby the acceptableness of his prayers and almesdeeds is given to understand, seeing they are fruits of a true faith, without which neither we nor our works can please God, Romans 10:14. Hebrews 11:6. 1 Pet. 2. 6.]

5. And now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon who is sirnamed Peter.

6. He lodgeth with one Simon a leather-dresser, whose house is by the Sea: he shall tell thee what thou must doe.

7. And when the Angel which spake unto Cornelius was gone away, he called two of his household servants, and a godly souldier of those that were continually with him.

8. And when he had related all things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

9. And the next day, while these journeyed and came nigh to the City, Peter went up on the roofe [Namely, of the house, forasmuch as the Jews houses were flat on the top; namely, and so to pray the more freely] to pray, about the sixt hour. [that is, about noon, which was also an ordinary hour prayer with the Jews. See Psalms 55:18. Dan.6.10.]

10. And he became hungry and desired to eat. And while they made it ready, there fell on him a withdrawing of sences. [Gr. Ecstasis, i.e. standing out, when a man is out of himself: and it was a vision of the Spirit, without means of the outward sences, which then stood still, and had no use; such visions the Prophets had often. See Esa. 6. 1. Ezekiel 1:1.and throughout in the Revelation of John.]

11. And he saw the heaven opened, and a certain vessell descend unto him, like a great linen sheet, bound at the four corners, [Gr.beginnings] and let down on the earth.

12. In the which were all the four footed creatures of the earth, [That is, all manner of, or of all sorts] and the wild and creeping creatures and the fowles of the heaven.

13. And there hapned a voice to him, Arise Peter, slay and eat.

14. But Peter said, by no means Lord, for I have never eaten any thing that was common or unclean. [That is, anything which God in the old Testament had forbidden to use for meat. See Levit. 11. 4. Deuteronomy 14:7.]

15. And a voice (hapned) again the second time unto him, That which God hath cleansed, thou shalt not make common. [That is, esteeme or call.]

16. And this was done for three times, and the Vessell was again taken up into heaven.

17. And as Peter doubted in himself, what the vision might be that he had seen, behold the men which were sent from Cornelius, having enquired for Simons house, stood at the gate.

18. And having called, (some one) they asked whether Simon sirnamed Peter lodged there.

19. And as Peter thought on that vision, the Spirit said unto him, [Namely by an internall speaking, as the vision had been inward. See Acts 11.ver. 12.] behold threemen seeke thee:

20. Therefore [Or but} arise, go down, and go with them, not doubting; [Namely, whether thou maist doe so or no, seeing they are Gentiles] for I have sent them.

21. And Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius, and said, behold I am he whom ye seeke: what is the cause wherefore ye are here?

22. And they said Cornelius a Centurion, a righteous man and fearing God, and who hath (good) testimony of all the people of the Jews, [Namely, with whom he had communion, and in whose Law he was instructed, as appears from the 43 verse, that he believed the Prophet s] was astonished by divine revelation of an holy Angel, that he should send for thee unto his house, and that he should hear of thee words of salvation. [or things, matters, namely, which concern salvation, as is expounded by Peter Acts 11.ver. 14.]

23. Therefore when he had called them in, he received them into the house: [Or entertained them, lodged them] But the next day Peter went a way with them, and some of the brethren, [namely, six in number, as is expressed, Acts 11:12.] which were of Joppa, went with him.

24. And the day following they came unto Cesarea. And Cornelius expected them, having called together those of his kindred, and most speciall friends. [Gr.necessary.]

25. And as it came to pass that Peter came in, Cornelius went to meete him, and falling at (his) feet, he worshipped. [Namely, giving him cicill reverence. For seeing Cornelius, knew and feared the true God of Israel, therefore it is not credible, that he should have honoured Peter as God: but because the honour that he gave him exceeded the (due) measure, and had some shew of divine honour, therefore Peter justly blamed him for it, like as the Angel also reproves John in the like case, Revel. 22. 9.

26. But Peter lift him up, saying, stand up, I my self also am a man.

27. And speaking with him he went in and found many which were together.

28. And he said unto them, ye know how it is unlawfull for a Jewish man [Although we finde no cleere prohibitation hereof in the old Testament, nevertheless this was an Ordinance and costume 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 seduced by them to Idolatry, or other sins. See Exodus 23:32. Joshua 23:7. 12. 2 Cor. 6. 14. 2 John ver. 10. Revel. 18. 4.&c.] to joyn himself or to go unto a stranger? [Gr. Allophylos, i.e. he that is of another people, or generation.namely, enstranged from the generation of the Jews, and consequently from the promises of God. Ephesians 2:12.] But God hath shewed me, that I should call no man [Gr.say. See of this matter verse 34. 35.] common or unclean.

29. Therefore am I also come without gainsaying, being called, [Gr.being sent for] I ask therefore for what reason ye have sent to me?

30. And Cornelius said, four daies a go I was fasting, until this hour, [Namely, of that day. See ver. 3.] and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house.

31. And behold a man [That is, an Angel in the shape of a man ver 3.] stood before me in a shining garment, and said, Cornelius thy prayer is heard, and thy almesdeeds are come in remembrance before God. [See the annot.on ver 4.]

32. Send therefore to Joppa, and call Simon, who is sirnamed Peter: he lodgeth in the house of Simon the leather-dresser on the Sea, which being come hither shall speak unto thee.

33. Therefore I sent unto thee immediately, and thou hast done well that thou art come hither. We are therefore all now (here) present before God, to hear all that is commanded thee of God.

34. And Peter opening (his) mouth [Of this phrase see the annot.on Matth. 5. 2.] said, I perceive in truth [That is, I finde, comprehend] that God is no accepter of the person: [that God looketh not upon the outward condition of men, that any one should acceptable to him, because he is a Jew or Greeke, poor or rich, noble or ignoble Galatians 5:6.and 6. 15. Colossians 3:11. And here are especially respected 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 people more then in the other, is taken away by the comming of Christ, as appears from the following verse.]

35. But in every nation, he that feareth him and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him.

36. (This is) the word [Or according to the word that: or concerning the word] that he sent to the children of Israel, publishing [Gr.Evangelizing] peace [namely with God, and all other Nations with one another. See Ephes. 2. 13. 14.] by Jesus Christ: He is a Lord of all.

37. Ye know [Namely, by the rumors and testimonies of those that have heard and seen it Matthew 4:24.] the thing that was done throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached:

38. (Concerning) Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him [That is, abundantly endowed him, John 3:34.] with the holy Ghost and which power: who went through (the land) doing good, and curing all that were overpowered by the Devil, for God was with him, [namely, the Father was with Christ, not only by his gifts according to the humane nature, but also by the same essence and the same power, according to his divine nature, all this wonders. See John 10.ver.30.38.and chap 14. Ver.9. 10]

39. And we are the witness of all that which he hath done, both in the land of Judea and at Jerusalem: whom they killed, hanging(him)on the wood.

40. Him God raised up the third day, and gave that he should be manifest :

41. Not to all the people, but to the witnesses , which were chosen before God,[The Greeke word Cheirotonein, which is here used, signifieth properly by lifting up of the hands to chuse or ordaine; and is hereafter Acts 14:23 used concerning the chusing of ordinary Ministers by the suffiages of the church, to this extraordinary chusing of the apostles here is opposed, as being done by lifting up or stretching forth of Gods hand alone]to us (namely)who have eaten and drunk with him, after that he was risen from the dead.

42. And commanded us to preach to this people, and to testifie that he is the person that is ordained of God, for a judge of quick [That is, of those which shall yet be alive at the last day, 1 cor. 15. 52. 1 Thes 4. 15, 17.] and dead.

43. To him all the Prophets give witness, that every one which believe in him, shall receive remission of sins through his name. [That is, through him, or for his sake as who became a sacrifice for our sins, and thereby hath brought to pass an external reconciliation for all that believe in him, Hebrews 5:9.and chapter 9. 12.]

44. While Peter spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell [That is, came upon them, by his extraordinary gifts and operations. See v. 46.] on all that heard the word.

45. And the faithfull which were of the circumcision, [That is, which were of the Jews, Romans 9:12.] as many as came with Peter, were astonished, that the gift of the Holy Ghost was also poured out upon the Gentiles. [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, Rom. chapter 9. 10, 11.]

46. For they heard them speak with strange (languages,) [Gr.with tongues] and magnifie God. Then answered Peter,

47. Whether can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Ghost, even like as we also.

48. And he commanded, [Namely, either that all things should be made ready, that he himself might baptize them; or he thus commanded others that were come with him, and were teachers also, as the Apostles had almost always some with them, who did this service. See 1 Cor. 1.v. 17.] that they should be baptized in the name of the Lord. [namely, for obsognation and confirmation of their faith, and of the gifts which they had already received; as Paul speaks of circumcision administred to Abraham, Romans 4:11.] Then prayed they him that he would remain with (them) some days.