He, fastening his eyes upon for when he looked on, A.V. ( ἀτενίσας , as Acts 3:4 , etc.); and being affrighted for he was afraid and, A.V.; gone for come, A.V. For a memorial ; i.e. thy prayers and thine alms are set is the sight of God, and are the cause of his now remembering thee and sending this message to thee. Cornelius's good works were the fruit of his faith in God as revealed in the Old Testament. read more
And when he looked on him - Greek: Having fixed his eyes attentively on him.He was afraid - At the suddenness and unexpected character of the vision.What is it, Lord? - This is the expression of surprise and alarm. The word “Lord” should have been translated “sir,” since there is no evidence that this is an address to God, and still less that he regarded the personage present as the Lord. Compare the notes on Acts 9:5. It is such language as a man would naturally use who was suddenly surprised;... read more
Acts 10:3-6. He saw At a time, it seems, when engaged in secret devotion; in a vision Not in a trance, like Peter; evidently Φανερως , manifestly and plainly, so as to leave him, though not accustomed to things of this kind, no room to suspect any imposition; about the ninth hour That is, about three in the afternoon, which, being the hour of evening sacrifice, was chosen by him as a proper season for his devotion; an angel of God Known to be such by the brightness of his... read more
European converts (10:1-48)In the Roman regiment based in Caesarea was a centurion named Cornelius, a man who was such a sincere God-fearer that all his household followed his faith. In response to his expressions of faith and acts of kindness, God promised to send Peter to tell him the good news of Jesus Christ by which he could be saved (10:1-8; cf. 11:14).First, however, God wanted to teach Peter certain lessons. God gave him a vision to show him that the old Jewish food laws were of no... read more
And when he looked on him = But gazing at him. Greek. atenizo. App-133 . See note on Acts 1:10 . he was afraid, and = and becoming affrighted, he. Greek. emphobos. Here, Acts 22:9 ; Acts 24:25 .Luke 24:5 , Luke 24:37 . Revelation 11:13 . Lord . Greek. kurios . Used as in John 4:11 , where it is rendered "Sir". prayers . Greek. proseuche. App-134 . memorial . Greek. mnemosunon. Here, Matthew 26:13 .Mark 14:9 . before = in the sight of. Greek. enopion. read more
And he, fastening his eyes upon him, and being affrighted, said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, thy prayers and thine alms are gone up for a memorial before God.What is it, Lord? ... The use of this word here, and by Peter in Acts 10:14, may not have been in exactly the same manner; but both instances suggest the supernatural nature of what was taking place. That one should have an angel speak to him is beyond all natural phenomena; nor should this fact be lost on believers. The... read more
Acts 10:4. What is it, Lord— That is, "Protect me from all danger, and let me know the meaning of this vision." The expression thy prayers, &c. are come up for a memorial, has reference to the incense offered under the law, which ascended in fumes, when burned; and implies that the prayers and alms of Cornelius were more grateful than the stream of burnt incense, or of the most costly sacrifice which he could have offered. read more
4. What is it, Lord?—language which, tremulously though it was uttered, betokened childlike reverence and humility. Thy prayers and thine alms—The way in which both are specified is emphatic. The one denotes the spiritual outgoing of his soul to God, the other its practical outgoing to men. are come up for a memorial before God—that is, as a sacrifice well-pleasing unto God, as an odor of a sweet smell ( :-). read more
Cornelius’ vision 10:1-8 read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 10:2-22
Devout heathen. To correct the tendency to limit the operations of Divine grace to particular sections, classes, or nations, the Scriptures record instances of true devoutness and sincere piety both before and outside the Abrahamic covenant. The comforting and inspiring truth of the Divine call and election man has too often changed into a doctrine of Divine favoritism, involving the sovereign and groundless choice of some, and the consequent repudiation and hopeless condition of many. We... read more