Acts 10:19 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are looking for you.

NIV: While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Simon, three men are looking for you.

NASB: While Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, 'Behold, three men are looking for you.

CSB: While Peter was thinking about the vision, the Spirit told him, "Three men are here looking for you.

NLT: Meanwhile, as Peter was puzzling over the vision, the Holy Spirit said to him, 'Three men have come looking for you.

KJV: While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

NKJV: While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you.

Immediately before Jesus ascended to heaven, He told the disciples, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8). They received the Holy Spirit about ten days later, on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1–4). Immediately after and for some time, Peter and the others shared the gospel in Jerusalem, establishing the new church (Acts 2:5—6:15). After Stephen was murdered (Acts 7:54–60), the Sanhedrin started persecuting the Jesus-followers in earnest (Acts 8:1–3) driving them out of Jerusalem. The Jesus-followers spread into Judea and Samaria, taking the gospel with them (Acts 8:4–40).

Philip has already shared Jesus' message with an Ethiopian official (Acts 8:26–40). Historically, Ethiopia has one of the oldest and longest-standing churches. But now Jesus' last commission, to take the news of salvation through His death and resurrection to "the end of the earth," is coming. Peter had a vision about how God is removing the kosher food laws (Acts 10:9–16). While he is still trying to figure out the deeper meaning of the vision, the Holy Spirit directs his attention to three visitors—at least one of whom is a Gentile and, therefore, himself unclean. If God can revoke dietary restrictions, He can certainly welcome Gentiles into His kingdom.

Acts 10:9–23 occurs as Peter is in Joppa, after having healed a paralyzed man in nearby Lydda and raising Tabitha from the dead in Joppa (Acts 9:32–43). Peter doesn't know that a Roman centurion who worships the Jewish God is sending three men to bring Peter to Caesarea. The centurion wished to learn what God has planned for him, which he will find is to be saved in Jesus' name. First, God makes Peter understand that Jesus' offer of salvation is as available for Gentiles as it is for Jews.

Peter has been a dominant voice in the spread of Jesus' message to Jews and proselytes. Now he brings the gospel to Gentiles. An angel tells Cornelius, a centurion, to ask Peter to come to him. Peter is praying when he receives a vision of food—including non-kosher food—and God's voice telling him to eat. When the centurion's messengers arrive, Peter realizes the dream meant that Gentiles are no longer unclean. He follows the messengers and tells Cornelius' household about salvation through Jesus. Before Peter can lay his hands on them or baptize them, the Holy Spirit falls on them.

Jesus told the disciples they would be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Oddly, the disciples didn't understand this meant the Holy Spirit would come upon Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles alike. After several years reaching Jews and proselytes in Jerusalem (Acts 1—7) and Samaritans in Samaria (Acts 8:4–25), God calls Peter to bring the message to Gentiles. Peter's witness that Gentiles can be saved (Acts 11) clears the way for Paul's ministry to Gentiles in modern-day Turkey, Greece, and Italy (Acts 13—28).

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.