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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 10:9-18

Cornelius had received positive orders from heaven to send for Peter, whom otherwise he had not heard of, or at least not heeded; but here is another difficulty that lies in the way of bringing them together?the question is whether Peter will come to Cornelius when he is sent for; not as if he thought it below him to come at a beck, or as if he were afraid to preach his doctrine to a polite man as Cornelius was: but it sticks at a point of conscience. Cornelius is a very worthy man, and has... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 10:9-16

10:9-16 On the next day, when they were on the way and when they were getting near the city, about midday Peter went up to the housetop to pray. He became hungry and he wanted something to eat. When they were preparing the meal a trance came upon him. He saw the heavens opened and he saw a kind of vessel coming down. It was like a great sheet and it was let down by the four corners to the earth. On it there were all four-footed animals, all animals that creep on the earth and all that fly in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 10:13

And there came a voice to him ,.... Formed by an angel, or rather by Christ himself: rise, Peter, kill and eat ; he might be on his knees when he fell into this trance, being at prayer, and therefore is bid to rise; and he is called by name, the more to encourage him to do as he was ordered; and he is bid to kill and eat of all the creatures without distinction, which were represented to him in the sheet; and the design of this was to teach him, that both the distinction between clean... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 10:13

Rise, Peter, kill and eat - Θυσον και φαγε , Sacrifice and eat. Though this verb is sometimes used to signify the slaying of animals for food, yet, as the proper notion is to slay for the purpose of sacrifice, it appears to me to be better to preserve that meaning here. Animals that were offered in sacrifice were considered as given to God; and, when he received the life, the flesh was given to those who offered the sacrifice, that they might feed upon it; and every sacrifice had in it the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 10:13

Verse 13 13.A voice from heaven. The voice came from heaven as did the sheet, that Peter might know that both came from God; neither had the sight done him any good, unless God had with this voice made clean those things which were before unclean. Whereas some pick an allegory out of the word kill, as if God did signify that men are sacrificed to him by the spiritual sword of the gospel; I do not prosecute that, but plainness pleaseth me better, that God doth take away by this voice the law... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 10:1-33

The indenture. The meeting of Peter and Cornelius is one of those binges upon which, small as they seem at the moment, vast interests turn. It was one of those moments when revolutions in the whole state of human society are at the birth; when that is being unconsciously enacted by the doers which will powerfully affect mankind to the end of time and beyond it. From the call of Abraham to the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the covenanted mercies of God had been restricted within... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 10:1-48

Broadening foundations. The promises of God to "Abraham and his seed for ever" are not going to be diminished now, but something of the extent of them is to be made more plain. Nothing shall be taken from the Jew which he is willing to have and to keep; but much is going to be given, with a manifestation unknown before, to the Gentile. With some form of vision, of dream, of angel-appearance, the covenant of long ages ago was made with the patriarch, and it seems that now, some nineteen... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 10:9-16

(or Acts 10:15 ) The light of heaven on the open gate of a new world. Review the preparations made for the revelation to be now vouchsafed. The teaching of Christ. His commission to his apostles. Stephen; Paul; Samaria. Peter's charge of the key. His visit to Joppa. His mind probably already at work on the problem. I. THE TWO WORLDS FACE TO FACE —the heathen and the Jewish, both the scene of spiritual manifestations. The two streams of grace flowing, ready to commingle in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 10:9-17

The ecstasy and vision of Peter. I. THE ATTITUDE OF PRAYER , HOW constantly is the act and the habit of prayer mentioned in the course of this history—on the part of the community and on the part of individuals! Peter and Cornelius, the Jew and the Gentile, are in communion with God at the same moment; and it is thus shown that true fellowship between man and man on earth is conditioned by fellowship with God. Souls far apart in space are near and at one by means of this mystic... read more

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