King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:
Complete Jewish Bible:
“I was in the city of Yafo, praying; and in a trance I had a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being lowered by its four corners from heaven, and it came down to me.
Berean Standard Bible:
“I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision of something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came right down to me.
American Standard Version:
I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even unto me:
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
I{G1473} was{G2252} in{G1722} the city{G4172} of Joppa{G2445} praying{G4336}: and{G2532} in{G1722} a trance{G1611} I saw{G1492} a vision{G3705}, A certain{G5100} vessel{G4632} descend{G2597}, as it had been{G5613} a great{G3173} sheet{G3607}, let down{G2524} from{G1537} heaven{G3772} by four{G5064} corners{G746}; and{G2532} it came{G2064} even{G891} to me{G1700}:
Cross-References (KJV):
Acts 10:9
- ¶ On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
Acts 10:32
- Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of [one] Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.
Ezekiel 2:9
- And when I looked, behold, an hand [was] sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book [was] therein;
Acts 22:17
- And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;
Amos 7:4
- Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me: and, behold, the Lord GOD called to contend by fire, and it devoured the great deep, and did eat up a part.
Amos 7:7
- Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall [made] by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand.
Acts 11:5
- I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:
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Commentary for Acts 11:5
Acts 11:5 is part of the narrative in the Book of Acts, which details the early history of the Christian church following the ascension of Jesus Christ. The verse is a segment of Peter's recounting of a significant vision he experienced while in Joppa (modern-day Jaffa, part of Tel Aviv in Israel). In this vision, Peter sees a sheet descending from heaven, held by its four corners, containing various animals, both clean and unclean according to Jewish dietary law.
The historical context of this verse is rooted in the early tension between Jewish Christians, who observed the Mosaic Law, and Gentile converts, who did not. The vision is pivotal as it serves to instruct Peter that the Gospel is for all people, not just Jews, and that dietary laws should not be a barrier to Gentiles entering the faith. This event is a turning point in the Acts narrative, leading to the acceptance of Gentiles into the Christian community without the requirement of adhering to Jewish law.
The themes of Acts 11:5 include divine revelation, the breaking down of cultural and religious barriers, and the universal scope of the Christian message. Peter's vision challenges the traditional Jewish understanding of purity and cleanliness, signaling a new era in which God's salvation is available to all, regardless of ethnic or cultural background. This verse underscores the inclusive nature of Christianity and the idea that faith in Jesus Christ transcends traditional social and religious boundaries. Peter's experience in Joppa is a catalyst for the expansion of the early church beyond its Jewish origins, setting a precedent for the missionary efforts that would spread Christianity throughout the Roman Empire and beyond.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G1473
There are 334 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐγώ
Transliteration: egṓ
Pronunciation: eg-o'
Description: a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic):--I, me. For the other cases and the plural see ἐμέ, ἐμοί, ἐμοῦ, ἡμᾶς, ἡμεῖς, ἡμῖν, ἡμῶν, etc. - Strong's Number: G2252
There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἤμην
Transliteration: ḗmēn
Pronunciation: ay'-mane
Description: a prolonged form of ἦν; I was:--be, was. (Sometimes unexpressed). - Strong's Number: G1722
There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐν
Transliteration: en
Pronunciation: en
Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition. - Strong's Number: G4172
There are 155 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πόλις
Transliteration: pólis
Pronunciation: pol'-is
Description: probably from the same as πόλεμος, or perhaps from πολύς; a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size):--city. - Strong's Number: G2445
There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Ἰόππη
Transliteration: Ióppē
Pronunciation: ee-op'-pay
Description: of Hebrew origin (יָפוֹ); Joppe (i.e. Japho), a place in Palestine:--Joppa. - Strong's Number: G4336
There are 82 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: προσεύχομαι
Transliteration: proseúchomai
Pronunciation: pros-yoo'-khom-ahee
Description: from πρός and εὔχομαι; to pray to God, i.e. supplicate, worship:--pray (X earnestly, for), make prayer. - Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet. - Strong's Number: G1611
There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἔκστασις
Transliteration: ékstasis
Pronunciation: ek'-stas-is
Description: from ἐξίστημι; a displacement of the mind, i.e. bewilderment, "ecstasy":--+ be amazed, amazement, astonishment, trance. - Strong's Number: G1492
There are 626 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἴδω
Transliteration: eídō
Pronunciation: i'-do
Description: a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent ὀπτάνομαι and ὁράω; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know:--be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare ὀπτάνομαι. - Strong's Number: G3705
There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅραμα
Transliteration: hórama
Pronunciation: hor'-am-ah
Description: from ὁράω; something gazed at, i.e. a spectacle (especially supernatural):--sight, vision. - Strong's Number: G5100
There are 419 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τὶς
Transliteration: tìs
Pronunciation: tis
Description: an enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object:--a (kind of), any (man, thing, thing at all), certain (thing), divers, he (every) man, one (X thing), ought, + partly, some (man, -body, - thing, -what), (+ that no-)thing, what(-soever), X wherewith, whom(-soever), whose(-soever). - Strong's Number: G4632
There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: σκεῦος
Transliteration: skeûos
Pronunciation: skyoo'-os
Description: of uncertain affinity; a vessel, implement, equipment or apparatus (literally or figuratively [specially, a wife as contributing to the usefulness of the husband]):--goods, sail, stuff, vessel. - Strong's Number: G2597
There are 80 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καταβαίνω
Transliteration: katabaínō
Pronunciation: kat-ab-ah'-ee-no
Description: from κατά and the base of βάσις; to descend (literally or figuratively):--come (get, go, step) down, fall (down). - Strong's Number: G5613
There are 433 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὡς
Transliteration: hōs
Pronunciation: hoce
Description: probably adverb of comparative from ὅς; which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows):--about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed. - Strong's Number: G3173
There are 185 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μέγας
Transliteration: mégas
Pronunciation: meg'-as
Description: (including the prolonged forms, feminine , plural , etc.; compare also μέγιστος, μείζων); big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application):--(+ fear) exceedingly, great(-est), high, large, loud, mighty, + (be) sore (afraid), strong, X to years. - Strong's Number: G3607
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὀθόνη
Transliteration: othónē
Pronunciation: oth-on'-ay
Description: of uncertain affinity; a linen cloth, i.e. (especially) a sail:--sheet. - Strong's Number: G2524
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καθίημι
Transliteration: kathíēmi
Pronunciation: kath-ee'-ay-mee
Description: from κατά; and (to send); to lower:--let down. - Strong's Number: G1537
There are 761 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐκ
Transliteration: ek
Pronunciation: ex
Description: a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):--after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion. - Strong's Number: G3772
There are 264 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὐρανός
Transliteration: ouranós
Pronunciation: oo-ran-os'
Description: perhaps from the same as ὄρος (through the idea of elevation); the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel (Christianity):--air, heaven(-ly), sky. - Strong's Number: G5064
There are 35 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τέσσαρες
Transliteration: téssares
Pronunciation: tes'-sar-ah
Description: a plural number; four:--four. - Strong's Number: G746
There are 56 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀρχή
Transliteration: archḗ
Pronunciation: ar-khay'
Description: from ἄρχομαι; (properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank):--beginning, corner, (at the, the) first (estate), magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule. - Strong's Number: G2064
There are 604 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἔρχομαι
Transliteration: érchomai
Pronunciation: el'-tho
Description: middle voice of a primary verb (used only in the present and imperfect tenses, the others being supplied by a kindred (middle voice) , or (active) , which do not otherwise occur); to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively):--accompany, appear, bring, come, enter, fall out, go, grow, X light, X next, pass, resort, be set. - Strong's Number: G891
There are 49 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἄχρι
Transliteration: áchri
Pronunciation: akh'-rece
Description: akin to ἄκρον (through the idea of a terminus); (of time) until or (of place) up to:--as far as, for, in(-to), till, (even, un-)to, until, while. Compare μέχρι. - Strong's Number: G1700
There are 104 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐμοῦ
Transliteration: emoû
Pronunciation: em-oo'
Description: a prolonged form of μόχθος; of me:--me, mine, my.