CRITICAL REMARKS
Acts 10:17. ἐν ἑαυτῷ διηπόρει, doubted in himself, or mas much perplexed in himself (as in Acts 2:12, Acts 10:24), seems to intimate that Peter’s trance was over and Peter himself returned to his ordinary consciousness.
Acts 10:19. The Spirit said unto him.—Neander thinks that Peter’s attention was first arrested by the sound of the men’s voices in the court below, and that the Spirit only explained to him the connection between their visit and his meditations. This, however, is incorrect. The numeral three is by some codices omitted, while others have two; and instead of the present seek the participle seeking. Westcott and Hort read men seeking; Alford, Hackett, and Zöckler men seek.
Acts 10:21. Which were sent unto him from Cornelius should be omitted on the authority of the best MSS.
Acts 10:22. Warned from God, one word ἐχρηματίσθη, signifies was divinely instructed. (Compare Matthew 2:12; Matthew 2:22.)
Acts 10:23. For Peter went away, the best authorities read, he arose and went away. The brethren from Joppa were six in number (Acts 11:12), the whole company ten.
HOMILETICAL ANALYSIS.—Acts 10:17-23
Cornelius’s Messengers at Joppa; or, the Gentile knocking for Admission
I. The arrival of the messengers at Joppa.—
1. The time of their arrival. “While Peter doubted in himself what the vision he had seen should mean.” A reminder that inspired men often saw and heard, thought and spoke, more than they could immediately understand. As Joppa was thirty Roman, or twenty-seven and a half English miles, from Cæsarea, Cornelius’s servants would not require to leave their master’s house till the morning after the vision (Acts 10:9) in order to reach Simon’s dwelling about, or shortly after, noon; although it is quite probable that they started the night before the day of their arrival.
2. Their conduct on arrival. Like good servants, they carried out their master’s instructions with exactness. Having inquired for Simon’s house and been directed thither, they stood before the gate, which opened directly into the house or court, where, having called on some one to come out, they respectfully asked if Simon, surnamed Peter, lodged within. How many blunders might he avoided were all messengers equally faithful and minute!
II. The direction of Peter by the Spirit.—
1. The announcement. “Behold (three), men seek thee!” The numeral, omitted by the best codices, was probably inserted from Acts 10:7 or Acts 11:11. If, however, it formed part of the communication inwardly whispered to Peter, it sufficiently proved that communication to be supernatural. The notion that Peter came to know about the presence of the men by hearing their footsteps and voices in the court below (Neander) is contemptuously rejected by critics of the Baur and Zeller school.
2. The commandment. “Arise and get thee down, and go with them nothing doubting”—i.e., making no scruples on the ground that they are heathen. This again confirms the supernatural character of the prompting of which Peter was conscious, since, though from the housetop, he might have heard the men calling for him, it is little likely he could either have known them to be three, or guessed what they wanted.
3. The incitement. “For I have sent them.” Peter having recognised the voice that spake within him to be Christ’s or the Spirit’s, and having learnt that Christ had sent the messengers, immediately proceeded to grant them an interview.
III. The conversation of Peter with the messengers.—
1. Peter’s introduction of himself and inquiry at the messengers. “Behold, I am he whom ye seek” (compare John 18:4-8)—an example of frank courtesy; “What is the cause wherefore ye are come?”—a pattern of direct speech (Matthew 5:37).
2. The reply of the messengers concerning their master. Announcing
(1) his name—Cornelius;
(2) his rank—a centurion;
(3) his character—a righteous man, a person of rectitude (δίκαιος), one that feareth God (φοβούμενος τόν θεόν), and of good report, or well reported of by all the nation of the Jews (compare on Acts 10:1-2), like Ananias (Acts 22:12) and Demetrius (3 John 1:12). That man must be good who is well reported of by his own domestics or servants.
(4) His vision—“warned of God,” or divinely instructed (compare Matthew 2:12), “by a holy angel”—i.e., through his agency (Peter was instructed by the Spirit), “to send for thee into his house, and to hear words from thee.” With this the last vestige of doubt disappeared from Peter’s mind. “He called them in and lodged them,” as Laban did the messengers of Abraham (Genesis 24:31).
IV. The journey of Peter to Cæsarea.—
1. After providing the messengers with hospitable entertainment. “He called them in and lodged them” over night. Hospitality to strangers a duty practised in Old Testament times (Genesis 18:3; Genesis 19:1; Genesis 24:31; Exodus 2:20), and enjoined upon Christians (Romans 12:13; 1 Timothy 3:2; 1 Timothy 5:10; Hebrews 13:2).
2. With cheerful alacrity. “On the morrow he arose and went with them,” in obedience to God’s command, and in accordance with their invitation.
3. Accompanied by certain brethren from Joppa. Six in number (Acts 11:12), they may have escorted the Apostle as his personal friends, or out of a natural desire to see the issue of so remarkable an occurrence.
Learn.—
1. The duty of looking for and following the Spirit’s guidance.
2. The beauty of Christian courtesy.
3. The excellence of household piety.
4. The value of fidelity in service.
HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Acts 10:17. The Embassy from Cœsarea to Joppa.—A testimony to—
I. The poverty of heathenism, which has nothing that can satisfy the soul.
II. The power of the gospel, which can draw towards itself men of all ranks and characters.
III. The love of God, who will have all men to be saved.
Acts 10:19-20. The Offices of the Spirit towards Christ’s Servants.
I. To inform their minds.—“Behold three men seek thee!”
II. To direct their steps.—“Arise and go with them!”
III. To find them work.—“I have sent them!”
Acts 10:22. Cornelius’s Certificates of Character were three.
I. That of the angel, which was practically that of God (Acts 10:4).—Compare the cases of Daniel (Daniel 10:11) and Nathanael (John 1:47). Who would not wish to be possessed of such a testimonial to the genuineness of one’s piety? The nearest approach to this is the witness of the Spirit through the word (Romans 8:16).
II. That of his messengers, who were members of his own household (Acts 10:7). He whose piety can stand the inspection of those whose eyes are constantly upon him is beyond all question a sincere disciple. Many who are supposed to be saints abroad are known to be the opposite at home.
III. That of the nation of the Jews, who might almost be considered his enemies. When a man’s foes are compelled to acknowledge his goodness, he must have reached a high point of excellence. Compare the case of the centurion of Capernaum (Luke 7:4) Even the testimony of one’s neighbours is no small guarantee of substantial worth. Compare the cases of Timothy (Acts 16:2) and of Demetrius (3 John 1:12).