Chapter

Acts 10:10

ESV And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance
NIV He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.
NASB But he became hungry and wanted to eat; but while they were making preparations, he fell into a trance;
CSB He became hungry and wanted to eat, but while they were preparing something, he fell into a trance.
NLT and he was hungry. But while a meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.
KJV And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
NKJV Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance

What does Acts 10:10 mean?

It is around noon. Peter is praying on the rooftop of Simon the tanner in Joppa, on the coast of the Mediterranean, near modern-day Tel Aviv (Acts 10:9). It's time for lunch, but first God has something to say.

Approaching the house are three men: two servants and one Roman soldier. They all serve a Roman centurion named Cornelius who is stationed in Caesarea, about thirty-five miles north. Cornelius is known for his charitable works and for devoutly following and praying to the Jewish God. An angel told him to send to Joppa to bring back Peter. Peter is thinking about food; God uses his hunger to teach him about Gentiles (Acts 10:1–8).

A "trance" typically happens when someone is awake (Acts 22:17–18), whereas a "dream" happens when the person is asleep. In Peter's vision, he will see a sheet drop down from heaven, filled with animals, some that are allowed to be consumed by the Mosaic law and some that aren't. Jesus has already "declared all foods clean" (Mark 7:19), but in an oblique way Peter has not yet recognized. After this vision and his visit with Cornelius, Peter will understand that the dietary restrictions in the Mosaic law have been lifted and that Gentiles can accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Both are hard things for a devout Jew to swallow.
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