1.
There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
certain . Greek. tis. App-123 .
Caesarea . See note on Acts 8:40 .
called = by name.
centurion = a captain over a hundred men. Greek. hekatontarchos. Occurs elsewhere, Acts 10:22 ; Acts 24:23 ; Acts 27:1 , Acts 27:31 . In the Gospels and in nine other places in Acts, the form hekatontarchos is used.
band = cohort. Greek. speira. See Matthew 27:27 .
Italian . It would be one levied in Italy.
2.
A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
devout = pious. Greek. eusebes. Here, Acts 10:7 ; Acts 22:12 . 2 Peter 2:9 . Not the same as in Acts 2:5 ; Acts 8:2 .
God . App-98 .
alms . Greek. eleemosune. See note on Acts 3:2 .
people . Greek. laos. See note on Acts 2:47 .
prayed . Greek. deomai. App-134 .
3.
He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
saw. Greek. eidon. App-133 .
vision. Greek. horama, as in Acts 7:31 .
evidently = clearly, i.e. objectively. Greek. phaneros.
about = as if.
the ninth hour = 3pm App-165 .
unto = to.
4.
And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
And when he looked on him = But gazing at him. Greek. atenizo. App-133 . See note on Acts 1:10 .
he was afraid, and = and becoming affrighted, he. Greek. emphobos. Here, Acts 22:9 ; Acts 24:25 .Luke 24:5 , Luke 24:37 . Revelation 11:13 .
Lord . Greek. kurios . Used as in John 4:11 , where it is rendered "Sir".
prayers . Greek. proseuche. App-134 .
memorial . Greek. mnemosunon. Here, Matthew 26:13 .Mark 14:9 .
before = in the sight of. Greek. enopion.
5.
And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:
send. Greek. pempo. App-174 .
call for = send for. Greek. metapempo. App-174 .
whose surname is = who is surnamed.
6.
He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
He = This one.
lodgeth. Greek. pass, of xenizo, to receive as a guest.
one . Greek. tis. App-123 .
tanner. See Acts 9:43 .
by the sea side = by the side of the sea. he shall, &c. The texts omit this clause.
7.
And 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;
And = Now.
spake. Greek. laleo. App-121 .
Cornelius. The texts read "him".
household servants . Greek. oiketes. App-190 .
waited . . . continually . Greek. proskartereo. See note on Acts 1:14 .
8.
And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
when he had declared = having related. Greek. exegeomai. Here, Acts 15:12 , Acts 15:14 ; Acts 21:10 . Luke 21:35 .John 1:18 .
sent. Greek. apostello. App-174 . drew nigh = were drawing near.
9.
On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
housetop = house.
pray . Greek. proseuchomai. App-134 .
about . Greek. peri. App-104 . the sixth hour, i.e. midday. App-165 .
10.
And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
very hungry . Greek. prospeinos. Only here.
would have eaten = wished (Greek. ethelo. App-102 .) to eat.
eaten . Greek. geuomai, to taste (food understood). Always trans, "taste", except in Acts, here, Acts 20:11 ; Acts 23:14 .
he fell, &c. Literally a trance (Greek. ekstasis) fell upon him. The texts read "came upon him". Ekstasis is sometimes translated "amazement", as in Acts 3:10 . It is akin to existemi (Acts 2:7 ; Acts 8:9 , &c). This was not an objective vision, as in the ease of Cornelius.
11.
And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
saw = beheld. Greek. theoreo. App-133 .
heaven = the heaven. Matthew 6:9 , Matthew 6:10 .
unto him . The texts omit. sheet. Greek. othcme, Only here and Acts 11:6 .
knit . The texts omit. Read "Let down by the four corners".
let down = sent down. Greek. kathiemi. Occurs elsewhere, Acts 9:25 ; Acts 11:5 .Luke 5:19 .
to = upon. Greek. epi . App-104 .
earth . Greek. ge. App-129 .
12.
Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
Wherein = In which. were. Greek. huparcho. See note on Luke 9:48 .
all manner of = all.
fourfooted beasts . Greek. tetrapous. Hebrews 11:6 . Romans 1:23 .
and wild beasts . The texts omit.
creeping things . Greek. herpeton. Hebrews 11:6 . Romans 1:23 .James 3:7 .
air = heaven.
13.
And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
Rise . Greek. aniatemi. App-178 .
kill = slay. Greek. thuo, to slay, or to sacrifice.
14.
But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
Not so = By no means. Greek. medamos.
have . . . eaten = ate.
never = not even at any time. Greek. oudepote.
unclean . Greek. akathartos. The previous twenty-one occurrences all apply to evil spirits. Here the reference is to the ceremonial uncleanness of the Levitical law.
15.
And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
the second time . Literally from (Greek. ek. App-104 .) a second (time).
What = The things which.
16.
This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
thrice . Literally upon thrice.
17.
Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,
doubted = was perplexed. Greek. diaporeo. See note on Luke 9:7 .
mean = be.
behold . Greek. idou. App-133 .
had made enquiry . . . and = having inquired carefully. Greek. dierotao. Compound of dia App-104 and erotao App-134 . Only here.
before = at.
18.
And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
asked = inquired. Greek. punthanomai.
whether = if. Greek. ei. App-118 .
19.
While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.
thought on = turned over in his mind. Greek. enthumeomai. Only here and Matthew 1:20 ; Matthew 9:4 . The texts read dienthumeomai, a stronger word.
the Spirit , i.e. the angel of Acts 10:3 . App-101 .
20.
Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
Arise therefore = But arise. Same as rise Acts 10:13 .
doubting . Greek. diakrino. App-122 .
nothing . Greek. medeis.
for I have sent them . This proves that it is the angel that is speaking. Compare Acts 10:5 .
21.
Then 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?
which were sent unto him from Cornelius . All the texts and Syriac omit.
wherefore = on account of which.
are come = are present.
22.
And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.
just . Greek. dikaios. App-191 .
of good report = borne witness to. Greek. martureo. Same as "of honest report" in Acts 6:3 .
among = by. Greek. hupo. App-104 .
nation . Greek. ethnos.
warned from God . Greek. chrematizo. See note on Luke 2:26 .
by . Greek. hupo, as above.
send for . Greek. metapempo, as in Acts 10:5 .
words . Greek. rhema. See note on Mark 9:32 .
of = from. Greek. para. App-104 .
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.
24.
And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.
waited = was waiting. Greek. prosdokao. App-138 .
near = intimate. Greek. anankaios. Literally necessary. First occurance. Translated elsewhere "necessary", "needful", &c.
25.
And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.
And as, &c. = Now as it came to pass that Peter entered in.
met . Greek. sunantao. Heb 20:22 .Luke 9:37 ; Luke 22:10 . Hebrews 7:1 , Hebrews 7:10 .
worshipped = did him homage or reverence. Greek. proskuneo. App-137 .
26.
But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
took him up = raised him up. Greek. egeiro. App-178 .
Stand up = rise up. Greek. mid. of anistemi. App-178 .:1.
man . Greek. anthropos. App-123 .
27.
And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.
as he talked with = conversing with. Greek. sunomileo. Only here.
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 shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
know . Greek. epistamai. App-132 .
unlawful . Greek. athemitos. Here and 1 Peter 4:3 . Themis is that which is established by custom or usage.
keep company . Greek. kollaomai. See Luke 15:15 .
one of another nation = aliens. Greek. allophulos Only here in N.T., but frequently in Septuagint, where the Hebrew reads "Philistines".
hath . Omit.
me . Emphatic because it stands first in the sentence. "Me God shewed".
not call any = call no (Greek. medeis) .
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?
came, &c . Read, "without gainsaying also I came".
without gainsaying . Greek. anantirrhetes. Only here.
for what intent = for what word, or reason. Greek. logos. App-121 .
have . Omit.
30.
And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
Four days ago = From (Greek. apo. App-104 .) the fourth day.
I was, &c . The texts omit "fasting", and read "until this hour I was praying".
bright = shining. Greek. lampros.
31.
And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
is = was.
are had in, &c . = were remembered.
in the sight of . The same as "before", verses: Acts 10:10 , Acts 10:4 , Acts 10:30 , Acts 10:33 .
32.
Send 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.
call hither . Greek. metakaleo. See note on Acts 7:14 .
who, &c . The texts omit.
33.
Immediately 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.
Immediately . Greek. exautes. Here, Acts 11:11 ; Acts 21:32 ; Acts 23:30 . Mark 6:25 .Philippians 1:2 , Philippians 1:23 .
hast well done = didst well. Compare Philippians 1:4 , Philippians 1:14 .James 2:19 . 2 Peter 1:19 . 3 John 1:6 .
of = by. Greek. hupo. App-104 .
34.
Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
35.
But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
accepted with = acceptable to. Greek. dektos. Here Luke 4:19 , Luke 4:24 ; 2 Corinthians 6:2 .Philippians 1:4 , Philippians 1:18 .
36.
The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
word . Greek. logos. App-121 .
children = sons. Greek. huios. App-108 .
preaching . Greek. euangelizo. App-121 .
by = by means
Jesus Christ . App-98 .
He, &c . Cornelius had no claim on Him as son of David. Compare Matthew 15:22-28 .
37.
That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
know . Greek. oida. App-132 .
was published . Literally came to be.
throughout . Greek. kata.
baptism . App-115 .
preached = proclaimed. Greek. kerusso. App-121 .
38.
How God anointed 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 God was with him.
How, &c . The Greek reads, "Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed (See Acts 4:27 ) Him".
Jesus. App-98 .
of = from. Greek. apo. App-104 .
the Holy Ghost = holy spirit. No art. App-101 .
power . Greek. dunamis. App-172 .
doing good . Greek. euergeteo = acting as a benefactor. Only here. Compare Luke 22:25 , and See Acts 4:9 .
healing . Greek. iaomai. See note on Luke 6:17 .
oppressed = overpowered. Greek. katadunasteuo. Here, James 2:6 . Compare Luke 13:16 . 2 Corinthians 12:7 . Revelation 2:10 .
39.
And 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:
40.
Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
Him = This One.
raised up . Greek. egeiro. App-178 .
shewed Him openly . Literally gave Him to become manifest, i.e. to be openly seen. Greek. emphanes. Here, Romans 10:20 . Compare App-106 .
41.
Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
chosen before . Greek. procheirotoneo. Only here. Compare Acts 14:23 .
did eat . . . with . Greek. sunesthio. Here, Acts 11:3 .Luke 15:2 . 1 Corinthians 5:11 .Galatians 1:2 , Galatians 1:12 .
drink with . Greek. sumpino. Only here.
from the dead . Greek. ek nekron. App-139 .
42.
And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
43.
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
give . . . witness = testify. Greek. martureo, as in Acts 10:22 .
name . See note on Acts 2:38 .
believeth in . App-150 .
remission = forgiveness. Greek. aphesis. See note on Acts 2:38 ; Acts 5:31 .
sins. Greek. hamartia. App-128 .
44.
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
the word , i.e. the gospel message. Figure of speech Idioma. App-6 .
45.
And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
they, &c , i.e. the Jews. Compare Acts 11:2 .Romans 4:12 ; Romans 15:8 . Galatians 1:2 , 2 Chronicles 4:11; 1 Timothy 1:101 Timothy 1:10 . These were Jewish Christians, called "brethren", Acts 10:23 , Acts 11:12 .
believed = were faithful. Greek. pistos. App-150 .
were astonished . Greek. existemi. See note on Acts 2:7 .
Gentiles . Greek. ethnos. Same as "nation", verses: Acts 10:22 , Acts 10:35 .
gift . Greek. dorea. See note on John 4:10 .
46.
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47.
Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
any man = any one. Greek. tis. App-123 .
forbid . Same as "hinder" in Acts 8:36 .
baptized . App-115 .
as well as we = even as we also.
48.
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
baptized in . App-115 .
the Lord . App-98 . The texts read "Jesus Christ".
prayed . Greek. erotao. App-131 .
tarry . Greek. epimeno. See John 8:7 (continue).