Acts 10:1-7 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

Reader Related Verse
Bible Comments

Acts 10. The Conversion of Cornelius. This incident is parallel to the conversion of the Ethiopian by Philip; both show the extension of the Gospel beyond the Jews, and prepare for the story of the Pauline mission. On the opening vision cf. Acts 8:26, Acts 16:9; Galatians 2:2. See also p. 767.

Acts 10:1. The Italian Band has been much discussed. The points are stated by Schmiedel (EBi. 908). Mommsen considers that the Italian band cannot be identified. Cornelius is introduced as a Gentile adherent of the Jewish religion. Devout is to be taken in the Jewish sense; fearing the Lord, he reverenced the God of Judaism by attending the synagogue. Psalms 115:9-13 gives the threefold division of the congregation of the Temple; priests, Jewish members, Godfearers; in the synagogue the priests were wanting.

Acts 10:3. in a vision and openly contradict each other.

Acts 10:4. Cf. Sir_35:7. memorial before God: used of a particular sacrifice (Leviticus 2:2; Leviticus 2:9).

Acts 10:5. The distance is thirty miles.

Acts 10:7. devout soldier: cf. Matthew 8:9 and the whole account of the two centurions.

Related Commentaries of Acts 10:1

Acts 10:1-7

1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

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.

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.

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.

5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:

6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

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;