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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 10:19-33

We have here the meeting between Peter the apostle, and Cornelius the centurion. Though Paul was designed to be the apostle of the Gentiles, and to gather in the harvest among them, and Peter to be the apostle of the circumcision, yet it is ordered that Peter shall break the ice, and reap the first-fruits of the Gentiles, that the believing Jews, who retained too much of the old leaven of ill-will to the Gentiles, might be the better reconciled to their admission into the church, when they... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 10:17-33

10:17-33 When Peter was at a loss in his own mind to know what this vision could mean, look you, the men who had been sent by Cornelius had asked their way to Simon's house and stood at the door. They spoke and asked if Simon who was also called Peter was lodging there. When Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Look you, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down and go with them without any hesitation, because it is I who sent them." So Peter came down to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 10:28

And he said unto them ,.... The whole company that were met together, who were chiefly, if not altogether Gentiles: ye know that it is an unlawful thing ; what is forbidden by the law of Moses, Deuteronomy 7:2 and by the traditions of the elders, which carry the matter further than the law did, and made it very criminal: for a man that is a Jew, to keep company with, or come unto one of another nation ; besides entering into covenants and marriages with them, which were forbidden... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 10:28

Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing, etc. - He addressed the whole company, among whom, it appears, there were persons well acquainted with Jewish customs; probably some of them were Jewish proselytes. But God hath showed me, etc. - He now began to understand the import of the vision which he saw at Joppa. A Gentile is not to be avoided because he is a Gentile; God is now taking down the partition wall which separated them from the Jews. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 10:28

Verse 28 28.Ye know that it is not lawful. This seemeth to be no friendly preface, and such as may rather harden (681) than win their hearts, when as they hear that they are accounted so unclean, that with their familiarity and conference they pollute the saints; which must needs be a great reproach for them. But it was needful for Peter thus to speak, lest they should suspect that he had an evil conscience, because, contrary to the custom delivered by the fathers, he came. (682) But when as he... 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 10:9-48

Man in God's sight; or, Divine impartiality. The incident of the conversion of Cornelius is suggestive of some important truths, but of one in particular, viz. the perfectness of the Divine impartiality. We look first, however, at— I. THE PART OF THE PHYSICAL IN THE APPREHENSION OF THE SPIRITUAL . Peter went up to pray ( Acts 10:9 ); but he was very hungry and desired bodily refreshment ( Acts 10:10 ). This state of body was probably favorable to his "falling... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 10:23-34

Peter and Cornelius. I. THE RECEPTION OF THE CHRISTIAN APOSTLE BY THE GENTILE CONVERT . Here were Jew, Gentile, and Christian visibly brought into juncture and unity in the persons of these two men. 1. The Roman officer gives a noble reception to Peter, at once a true Jew and a true Christian, by calling together his kindred and friends. He desires that others may partake of spiritual gifts and blessings—a true mark of love. We become poor by giving earthly goods... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 10:23-43

The first trumpet-sound of the gospel in the heathen world. I. A REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY . 1. Cornelius, his kinsmen, his near friends, probably some of them devout soldiers. 2. Peter, his brethren from Joppa. The different states of mind. Inquiry after truth, perplexity as to duty. The helplessness of the heathen world well set forth in Cornelius's salutation. The sense of darkness and spiritual want a temptation to worship men instead of God. The false Church accepts such... read more

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