Acts 11:6

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

Complete Jewish Bible:

I looked inside and saw four-footed animals, beasts of prey, crawling creatures and wild birds.

Berean Standard Bible:

I looked at it closely and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds of the air.

American Standard Version:

upon which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw the fourfooted beasts of the earth and wild beasts and creeping things and birds of the heaven.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Upon{G1519} the which{G3739} when I had fastened mine eyes{G816}, I considered{G2657}, and{G2532} saw{G1492} fourfooted beasts{G5074} of the earth{G1093}, and{G2532} wild beasts{G2342}, and{G2532} creeping things{G2062}, and{G2532} fowls{G4071} of the air{G3772}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Luke 4:20

  • And he closed the book, and he gave [it] again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.

Acts 3:4

  • And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

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Commentary for Acts 11:6

Acts 11:6 is a verse that occurs within a larger narrative where the Apostle Peter is recounting his vision to the Jewish believers in Jerusalem. This vision is crucial in the early Christian church as it signifies a pivotal moment in the relationship between Jewish Christians and Gentiles (non-Jews). The historical context of this verse is rooted in the early days of the church, as the Jesus movement was spreading beyond its Jewish origins and grappling with how to include Gentiles.

In the vision, Peter sees a variety of animals, both clean and unclean according to Jewish dietary law, being lowered from heaven in a sheet. The specific text of Acts 11:6 describes Peter focusing on this vision, seeing not only domesticated animals but also wild beasts, reptiles, and birds. This vision is significant because, in the Jewish tradition, there were strict dietary laws that forbade the consumption of certain animals, particularly those deemed "unclean."

The themes of Acts 11:6 include divine revelation, the breaking down of traditional barriers, and the universal scope of the Gospel. The verse underscores God's role in revealing truth and guiding the early church. It also highlights the theme of inclusivity and the idea that the message of Jesus is for all people, regardless of their ethnic or cultural background. Peter's vision challenges the existing social and religious norms of the time, setting the stage for the mission to the Gentiles and the subsequent spread of Christianity beyond Jewish communities. This event is foundational for Christian theology regarding the inclusion of all peoples in God's plan of salvation and the abandonment of Jewish ceremonial laws for followers of Christ.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: G1519
    There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: εἰς
    Transliteration: eis
    Pronunciation: ice
    Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
  2. Strong's Number: G3739
    There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὅς
    Transliteration: hós
    Pronunciation: ho
    Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ.
  3. Strong's Number: G816
    There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀτενίζω
    Transliteration: atenízō
    Pronunciation: at-en-id'-zo
    Description: from a compound of Α (as a particle of union) and (to stretch); to gaze intently:--behold earnestly (stedfastly), fasten (eyes), look (earnestly, stedfastly, up stedfastly), set eyes.
  4. Strong's Number: G2657
    There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: κατανοέω
    Transliteration: katanoéō
    Pronunciation: kat-an-o-eh'-o
    Description: from κατά and νοιέω; to observe fully:--behold, consider, discover, perceive.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Strong's Number: G5074
    There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: τετράπους
    Transliteration: tetrápous
    Pronunciation: tet-rap'-ooce
    Description: from τέσσαρες and πούς; a quadruped:--fourfooted beast.
  8. Strong's Number: G1093
    There are 226 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: γῆ
    Transliteration:
    Pronunciation: ghay
    Description: contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application):--country, earth(-ly), ground, land, world.
  9. Strong's Number: G2342
    There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: θηρίον
    Transliteration: thēríon
    Pronunciation: thay-ree'-on
    Description: diminutive from the same as θήρα; a dangerous animal:--(venomous, wild) beast.
  10. Strong's Number: G2062
    There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἑρπετόν
    Transliteration: herpetón
    Pronunciation: her-pet-on'
    Description: neuter of a derivative of (to creep); a reptile, i.e. (by Hebraism (compare רֶמֶשׂ)) a small animal:--creeping thing, serpent.
  11. Strong's Number: G4071
    There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πετεινόν
    Transliteration: peteinón
    Pronunciation: pet-i-non'
    Description: neuter of a derivative of πέτομαι; a flying animal, i.e. bird:--bird, fowl.
  12. 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.