CRITICAL REMARKS
Acts 10:1. There was.—Omitted in best MSS. Centurion.—ἑκατοντάρχης (Acts 27:1) = ἑκατοντάρχος (Acts 21:32; compare Luke 7:2-6; Luke 23:47). Italian band, or cohort.—The legio Italica of Tacitus (Hist, i. 59, 64), raised by Nero (Dion. Cass, Leviticus 24). was not at this time in existence. “An inscription in Gruter informs us that volunteer Italian cohorts served in Syria—i.e., Italian or Roman cohorts who enlisted of their own accord instead of being obliged to perform military service” (Hackett). The number of soldiers in a cohort was usually six hundred, though the term was frequently used for a maniple, which was a third of a cohort (Holtzmann).
Acts 10:2. Devout.—εὐσεβὴς. different from εὐλαβεῖς in Acts 2:5, Acts 8:2, describes “the special type of devotion that belonged to Gentile converts” (Plumptre), though there is no ground for believing that Cornelius was a proselyte (Olshausen, Neander, Wendt). Against this stand (Zöckler):
(1) the word ἀλλόφυλος of another nation, applied by Peter to Cornelius (Acts 10:28);
(2) the characterisation of Cornelius and his family as belonging to the Gentiles (Acts 10:34);
(3) the great excitement kindled by their reception of the Spirit, and their baptism by Peter (Acts 10:45; Acts 11:1 ff).
Acts 10:3. Evidently = openly, so that the vision was not purely subjective (Neander).
Acts 10:4. For a memorial before God.—Alluding to “that part of the meat offering which is burnt, and whose savour was intended to remind God of the worshipper” (Ewald). It is doubtful, however, if this is not somewhat fanciful.
Acts 10:5. Send men to Joppa, etc.—Zeller correctly observes (Die Apostelgeschichte, p. 181) that this minute acquaintance of the angel with Peter’s name and residence with Simon the Tanner shows that Cornelius’s vision was not a mere fancy, ein blosses Phantasiegebilde des Betenders, but an objective appearance.
Acts 10:6. The best MSS. omit the words, he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do, as an insertion in accordance with Acts 9:6 and Acts 11:14.
Acts 10:7. For unto Cornelius read unto him. Of thom that waited on him continually may point to similarity of disposition, as in Acts 8:13 (Zöckler, Holtzmann), as well as to menial service (De Wette, Overbeck).
Acts 10:9. The house-top was frequently employed for devotion. The roof, almost flat, only sloping enough to let the rain run off, was surrounded by a balustrade as directed by the law (Deuteronomy 22:8), and formed thus a terrace which served as a place of retirement (Stapfer’s Palestine in the Time of Christ, p. 175).
Acts 10:10. Would have eaten should be desired to eat, felt the demands of appetite consequent upon long fasting.
Acts 10:11. And saw should be and seeth. Omit unto him after descending. As it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners and let down to the earth, according to the R.V. should be as it were a great sheet let down by four corners upon the earth—δεδεμένον καὶ being wanting in the best MSS. In the former case the sheet was tied at its four corners with ropes which let it down towards the earth; in the other it was let down by its four corners or ends (to which, however, ropes may have been attached, though this is not stated). The sense is not materially different. Alford, Hackett, Lechler, Plumptre, and others, prefer the first reading; Lachmann, Zöckler, Holtzmann, with Westcott and Hort, whom the R.V. here follows, decide for the second.
Acts 10:12. Should read all manner of, or simply all the four footed beasts (omitting and wild beasts, a clause introduced from Acts 11:6) and creeping things of the earth, with the sanction of the best texts (Tischendorf, Lachmann, Meyer, Westcott and Hort).
Acts 10:14. Common or should be common and unclean.—“Common” is the opposite of “holy,” hence unholy.
Acts 10:16. Substitute straightway, εὐθὺς, for again, πάλιν. Thrice.—For the sake of emphasis. (Compare Daniel 6:10; Daniel 6:13; 2 Corinthians 12:8.)
HOMILETICAL ANALYSIS.—Acts 10:1-16
Peter’s Trance; or, the Apostolic Agent prepared
I. The circumstances.—
1. Where?
(1) In Joppa (see Acts 9:36-43). How Peter came to be in that seaside city has already been related.
(2) In the house of Simon the tanner (Acts 10:6). A good man is near to heaven anywhere and everywhere.
(3) On the flat roof of Simon’s mansion, whither he had retired for devotion. Since Christ came every place is holy ground. Oriental houses were commonly constructed like Simon’s (Mark 2:4).
2. When?
(1) On the morrow after Cornelius’s vision, after the departure of his messengers and as they were approaching the city.
(2) About the sixth hour—i.e., about noon. This also was a favourite hour for prayer with devout Jews (Psalms 55:17).
(3) While Simon’s domestics were making ready (Acts 10:10)—i.e., while they were preparing the midday meal, which in all probability would consist of “fish, locusts baked in flour or honey, onions, and (perhaps) butcher’s meat” (Stapfer’s Palestine in the Time of Christ, p. 189).
3. How engaged? In prayer, for which roofs of houses were often used (Matthew 10:27; Matthew 24:17; Luke 17:31), as being both secluded and safe, in consequence of ordinarily having a balustrade of three or four feet high running round them (Deuteronomy 22:8). It was not surprising that Peter should have a heavenly vision while engaged in prayer (see “Hints on Acts 10:11”). Glimpses within the veil are most likely to be enjoyed by them who live nearest it.
4. In what condition? “Hungry,” very (Hackett), and desirous of eating. He had probably partaken of no food since the morning, more especially if the day was one of those (the second and fifth of the week, Monday and Thursday) which were habitually observed as fasts by pious Jews (Stapfer’s Palestine in the Time of Christ, p. 381). Although Jews often fasted from strange motives, as, e.g., “to secure pleasant dreams, to find the explanation of a dream, or to avert some evil omen” (Stapfer, p. 381), it cannot be supposed that either Cornelius (Acts 10:30, A.V.), or Peter was similarly actuated. By them, doubtless, abstinence from food, either wholly or in part, was regarded as a valuable, if not necessary, preparation for high spiritual exercises (Psalms 35:13; Psalms 69:10; Daniel 9:3; 1 Corinthians 7:5; Acts 14:23).
II. The occurrences.—
1. The trance. “He fell into a trance; or there came upon him an ecstasy or rapture (= being in the Spirit, Revelation 1:10), by which, as it were, he was carried out of himself and put into a mental state in which he could discern objects beyond the apprehension of man’s natural powers (Hackett). Compare Acts 11:5, Acts 22:17; 2 Corinthians 13:3; perhaps also Numbers 24:4 and Ezekiel 8:3.
2. The sights.
(1) Heaven opened. So it happened to Christ on the occasion of His baptism (Luke 3:21); to the beloved disciple in Patmos (Revelation 4:1; Revelation 19:11); and to Stephen in the council chamber (Acts 7:56). Compare also in the Old Testament the oases of Jacob (Genesis 28:17), Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1), Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1:1), and Daniel (Daniel 4:13).
(2) A great sheet descending out of it, let down by the four corners upon the earth—i.e., either the sheet, which in form resembled a vessel or receptacle, was fastened to the four corners east, west, south, and north of heaven (Meyer), or the ends of the sheet were fastened to and upheld by ropes let down from heaven (see “Critical Remarks”).
(3) The cavity in the sheet filled with “all manner of four-footed beasts and creeping things of the earth and fowls of the heaven.”
(4) The sheet swaying and moving towards Peter. The words “unto him,” though omitted by the best MSS. (see “Critical Remarks”), probably express what Peter beheld (compare Acts 11:5).
(5) The drawing up of the sheet into heaven after a threefold repetition of the scene.
(6) Whether Peter saw any personal form or figure is not stated, but seems almost implied in what follows.
3. The sounds.
(1) Rise, Peter. The apostle may at this moment have been kneeling in prayer, or most likely prostrate in awe and wonder before the vision (compare Revelation 1:17). The mysterious voice, recognised by Peter as that of a heavenly being (compare Acts 10:4), addressed him by name. Compare the cases of Moses (Exodus 3:4); Samuel (1 Samuel 3:10); Saul (Acts 9:4); and Cornelius (Acts 10:3).
(2) Kill and eat. Any of the creatures, without regard to the distinction of clean or unclean, was what the voice intended. That Peter understood this his answer showed: “Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common (unholy) and unclean,” or, according to Peter’s own version, “Nothing common or unclean hath ever entered into my mouth” (Acts 11:8). Peter’s scrupulous conscientiousness as a Jew caused the commandment to come upon him with a shock of surprise. In the times of the Maccabees (1Ma. 6:18; Acts 7:1) the Jews suffered death rather than submit to the seeming indignity here proposed. Peter’s refusal accorded with his well-known character for impulsiveness (compare John 13:8).
3. “What God hath cleansed call, or make, not thou common.” Like the former voice this came from heaven, and implied that all meats were originally alike clean, that the distinction of clean and unclean had been of God’s making, that henceforth God had abolished all such distinctions, and that the perpetuation or institution of such distinctions was an express violation of the Divine ordinance. Compare Christ’s teaching on defilement (Mark 7:14-23).
III. The teachings.—These were all such as concerned the Church, and in particular—
1. Its universal character. It was henceforth to embrace all nationalities, not Jews only, but also Gentiles. Ceremonial distinctions were no more to operate as dividing lines between the peoples of the earth. The Church’s gates were to stand open continually for the admission of all comers. All souls were in future to be equally precious in God’s sight (Romans 1:14-16; Romans 2:22; Romans 2:29; Romans 3:1; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 2:14-22).
2. Its absolute permanence. Not even an apostle—and far less a Church council, and least of all a private member—should be at liberty to change its constitution, restrict its freedom, or impose conditions which would deny entrance therein to a heathen. “What God hath cleansed make not thou common.” “Three times had the Lord formerly commanded Peter to feed His sheep and lambs: three times He here admonishes Peter to make the door into the sheepfold no narrower than God will have it” (Besser). The Church of Christ in all ages has suffered from the illegal intrusion of man’s power into her sacred domain.
3. Its sole sovereign. God or His Son Jesus Christ, to whom alone pertains the right of making laws for His kingdom—of admitting to or excluding from the fellowship of His Church (Ephesians 1:22).
Lessons.—
1. The reality of a supersensible world.
2. The possibility of Revelation 3. The world-wide destiny of the Church. 4. The dignity of human nature.
5. The headship of Christ within and over His own Church.
HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Acts 10:11. Heaven opened.
I. Heaven may open to any man.—To a Jacob (Genesis 28:12), an Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1:1), a Stephen (Acts 7:56), a Paul (Acts 9:3), as well as to a Peter—and in any place, on a hillside, a river bank, a council chamber, a public high way, or a housetop.
II. Heaven mostly opens to them who have prepared themselves for it—By prayer, meditation, or other suitable exercise. God is mostly found of them who seek Him.
III. Heaven seldom opens without imparting new revelations—Either of truth or duty. God has promised to instruct and guide those who wait upon Him in humility and faith.
IV. Heaven never opens to the spiritually blind.—“The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God.” The eye must be opened before it can discern visions. “He that is of the truth heareth Him who is the truth.”
Acts 10:15. No Difference.
I. The one broad level of humanity, in the sight of God, for blessing.—There are various levels in other respects, various ranks and differences; national, personal, intellectual, educational; but here, in connection with spiritual blessing,—acceptance, favour, and the like, all these disappear.
II. The rebuke here given to national pride.—The Jew despised the Samaritan, and the Samaritan the Jew, both despising the Gentile. There was the pride of birth, the pride of descent, the pride of race. Here was God’s rebuke to all such pride.
III. The rebuke given to spiritual pride.—This spiritual reward is twofold—the personal and the ecclesiastical.
IV. The open door for all.—There is no restriction now. God’s free love goes out unconditionally—without restriction or qualification—to the lost.—H. Bonar, D.D.
Acts 10:16. The Number Three in the New Testament.—That some special significance, most likely that of solemn emphasis, was designed by the threefold repetition of an event becomes apparent from a study of the instances in which this occurs.
I. In the history of Christ.—
1. The three temptations in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11).
2. The three raisings of the dead (Matthew 9:25; Luke 7:14-16; John 11:43-44).
3. The three prayers in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:44).
II. In the history of Peter.—
1. The three denials of Christ (Matthew 26:69-75).
2. The three questions of the Saviour (John 21:15-17).
3. The three voices in the vision.
III. In the history of Paul.—
1. The three requests about the thorn (2 Corinthians 12:8).
2. The three scourgings (2 Corinthians 11:25).
3. The three shipwrecks (2 Corinthians 11:25).
Acts 10:9-16. Peter’s Vision on the Housetop; a Mirror for the Heathen Mission. To show—
I. Its heavenly origin.—Appointed by God.
II. Its immense field.—The whole world, Jew and Gentile.
III. Its severe work.—To make all nations obedient to the faith.
IV. Its doubts and difficulties.—The first from within, in the prejudices, fears, and unbelief of Christ’s people; the second in the hardness and hostility of the natural heart.
V. Its Divine promise.—Of continual assistance and ultimate success.—Adapted from Gerok in Lange.
Lessons from Peter’s Vision.—In this vision we see the beginning of a great era—the first important breach in the iron partition wall that divided the human race into two hostile ranks. We have here the annexation of the whole Gentile world, without shedding a single drop of blood or wasting a single pennyweight of gunpowder. Peter saw the vision when engaged in prayer on the housetop of Simon the tanner, at Joppa. Prayer is a great revelation, and the stronger the prayer the grander the vision. He who would see the heavens opened must first open the heavens with the key of prayer. Ecstasies and visions are rewards of importunate prayer. Peter prayed from the housetop of a tanner; was there anything strange in that? Undoubtedly. Tanners were looked down upon as the pariahs, the outcasts of Jewish society. For Peter, the orthodox Hebrew, to lodge with a tanner, an outlaw, was the first step out of his miserable narrowness; and we are not surprised to find the tanner’s lodger entering the Gentile centurion’s house a little later. How striking these coincidences of history! There is as much Divine design in the movements of the centuries as in the formation of the rocks or the clustering of the stars. Cornelius prayed in Cæsarea, and Peter prayed in Joppa. How exquisite these dovetails, these morticings of history, and how marvellously well timed the correspondence! Surely the world is not governed by a fortuitous concourse of blind atoms, but by intelligence and unity of design. The first lesson of this vision of the great sheet is:—
I. The Divine origin of the Christian gospel.—Peter “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.” The gospel did not spring up from the ground; it came down from the upper skies, and it bears innumerable evidences of its Divine origin. If God be not its parent, who is? The angels could not have invented it, for in inventing a false system and labelling it with the Divine name they would have become demons instantly. Demons could not have invented this system, whose main purpose is to destroy the works of the devil. The science of comparative religion proves that Christianity is as much loftier than all other systems as the heavens are loftier than the earth. A religion well adapted for the whole race must have the following elements:
1. An adequate revelation of God.
2. A provision of mercy for the guilty which satisfies the conscience.
3. Power given to lead a new life of virtue and holiness.
4. An ideal pattern of life which men may imitate.
5. A refuge for man in sorrow and bereavement.
6. Such a revelation of the future life as shall help man to prepare for his duties and destinies. All these important elements are in the Christian gospel, and are not in any other system under heaven. Does not this one fact establish its unquestionable preeminence?
II. The Divine origin of the human race.—The sheet, with its miscellaneous contents, came down from the heavens, and this suggests the Divine origin of all men. The contents of the sheet, as well as the sheet itself, came down from above. The gospel that gave the world a new conception of God has also given it a better conception of man. It teaches us to say “Our Father,” that we may the better be able to say “My brother.” In this respect for man as man the gospel stands alone among the great religious systems of the world. Look at man through the eyes of Jesus, and if the man be only a London dock labourer or a Dorset farm labourer, you will be able to see something of the Divine in him. Positivism boasts of its love for the race, and talks of “the parliament of man, the federation of the world.” Where has Positivism found its fundamental doctrines? I charge it with being a plagiarist. The doctrines of the brotherhood of man and the oneness of the race are stolen from Christ.
III. The universality of the gospel.—Man is the heaven-sent ambassador to man. Cornelius sent for Peter. Why not send an angel to preach to him? The angel would have been the very first to object. Indeed, it was the angel who suggested Peter’s name. Methinks the angels know a great deal about us. The angels seek for a man to preach to men. A preacher is never so effective as when he speaks to us in the first person. Cornelius must have a man named Peter to preach the sermon. Why not send troops of angels into the heart of Africa, or to the isles of Polynesia to evangelise those blacks? Thank God He has dignified man by making of him a minister to men. He sent a Divine Man to reveal the gospel, and he commissions man to preach it. When Cornelius fell down at Peter’s feet and worshipped him, the apostle instantly cried out, “Stand up; I myself also am a man.” Man must neither be worshipped on the one hand nor maligned on the other.—J. Ossian Davies.