Acts 10:13

KJV

And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} there came {G1096} a voice {G5456} to {G4314} him {G846}, Rise {G450}, Peter {G4074}; kill {G2380}, and {G2532} eat {G5315}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then a voice came to him, “Get up, Kefa, slaughter and eat!”

Berean Standard Bible

Then a voice said to him: “Get up, Peter, kill and eat!”

American Standard Version

And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill and eat.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 10:13 captures the pivotal moment in Peter's vision where a divine voice commands him to "Rise, Peter; kill, and eat" from a sheet filled with animals previously deemed unclean under Mosaic Law. This startling directive serves as a profound challenge to Peter's deeply ingrained Jewish dietary and purity customs, initiating a theological paradigm shift that would open the door for the gospel's universal proclamation to Gentiles and fundamentally redefine the early Christian church's understanding of God's inclusive plan for humanity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is central to Peter's transformative vision recounted in [Acts 10:9-16](/acts/10-9-16 "Acts 10:9-16 - Peter's Vision of Unclean Animals"). Peter is on a rooftop in Joppa, praying at noon, when he falls into a trance. He sees a large sheet descending from heaven, filled with all manner of four-footed animals, reptiles, and birds—many of which were explicitly forbidden for consumption by the Mosaic Law. The voice's command to "kill, and eat" directly confronts Peter's deeply held religious convictions and his identity as a devout Jew. His immediate refusal ("Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean") highlights the profound nature of the challenge. This vision is repeated three times, emphasizing its divine origin and importance. The vision's immediate literary consequence is Peter's encounter with the messengers from Cornelius, a Gentile centurion, which directly leads to Peter's groundbreaking visit to Cornelius's household and the baptism of the first Gentile converts, demonstrating the practical implications of God's message of inclusivity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Judaism was characterized by strict adherence to the Mosaic Law, particularly the dietary laws outlined in [Leviticus 11](/leviticus/11 "Leviticus 11 - Dietary Laws of Clean and Unclean Animals") and [Deuteronomy 14](/deuteronomy/14 "Deuteronomy 14 - Further Dietary Regulations"). These laws distinguished between "clean" and "unclean" animals, serving not only as a matter of ritual purity but also as a significant marker of Jewish identity, separating them from Gentile nations. Eating with Gentiles or entering their homes could render a Jew ritually defiled. Peter, as a devout Jew and an apostle, would have meticulously observed these distinctions throughout his life. The setting in Joppa, a coastal city with a diverse population, further underscores the cultural boundaries Peter was accustomed to. The vision directly challenged these deeply ingrained socio-religious barriers, preparing Peter to bridge the chasm between Jew and Gentile in the nascent Christian community.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 10:13 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Acts and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Authority and Revelation**, demonstrating God's sovereign right to redefine purity and expand His covenantal people. The voice from heaven is an unmistakable divine utterance, superseding human tradition and even previous divine commands, revealing a new stage in God's redemptive plan. Secondly, it is foundational to the theme of **Breaking Down Barriers** between Jew and Gentile. The dietary command, though seemingly about food, symbolically represents the removal of the spiritual and social distinctions that separated God's chosen people from the rest of humanity. This prepares Peter to understand that God shows no partiality, as he later declares in [Acts 10:34-35](/acts/10-34-35 "Acts 10:34-35 - God Shows No Partiality"). Finally, the verse foreshadows the **Inclusivity of the New Covenant**, signaling a shift from the ceremonial laws of the Old Covenant to a universal gospel. The declaration in [Acts 10:15](/acts/10-15 "Acts 10:15 - God's Cleansing Declaration"), "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common," explicitly articulates this new reality, emphasizing that God's grace and salvation are extended to all who believe, regardless of their ethnic or cultural background, fulfilling prophecies of a worldwide people of God (e.g., [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - Light to the Gentiles")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **voice (Greek, _phōnḗ'_):** G5456 - Probably akin to φαίνω through the idea of disclosure; a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose), saying or language:--noise, sound, voice. In this context, _phōnḗ_ signifies a distinct, articulate sound that carries authority and revelation. It is not merely a noise but a divine utterance, emphasizing the supernatural and authoritative origin of the command Peter receives, leaving no doubt that it is a direct communication from God.
* **Rise (Greek, _anístēmi'_):** G450 - From ἀνά and ἵστημι; to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive):--arise, lift up, raise up (again), rise (again), stand up(-right). The imperative "Rise" (anístēmi) is a direct command for Peter to act. While it literally means to get up from his trance-like state, it also carries a figurative sense of readiness for a new mission or understanding. It signals a call to action in response to the divine revelation.
* **kill (Greek, _thýō'_):** G2380 - A primary verb; properly, to rush (breathe hard, blow, smoke), i.e. (by implication) to sacrifice (properly, by fire, but genitive case); by extension to immolate (slaughter for any purpose):--kill, (do) sacrifice, slay. The verb _thýō_ implies a decisive act of slaughter, often in a sacrificial context. Here, it is a stark, unambiguous command to take life for consumption, directly confronting Peter's deeply ingrained aversion to "unclean" animals. The term's connection to sacrifice subtly hints at the greater theological "sacrifice" of traditional boundaries that God is initiating.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And there came a voice to him,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes the supernatural nature of the event. The "voice" (Gk. _phōnḗ_) is clearly divine, indicating that the subsequent command originates from God Himself. The passive construction "there came" highlights that this is an unsolicited, sovereign communication from heaven, not a thought or desire of Peter's own. It underscores the authoritative and undeniable source of the revelation.
* **"Rise, Peter;"**: The divine voice directly addresses Peter by name, making the command personal and inescapable. "Rise" (Gk. _anístēmi_) is an imperative, demanding immediate action. While Peter is in a trance, this command is both literal (to rouse himself) and symbolic (to rise to a new understanding and mission). The direct address emphasizes the specific recipient of this profound and challenging revelation.
* **"kill, and eat."**: These two imperatives (Gk. _thýō_ and _phágō_) are the core of the divine directive, presenting a stark and shocking challenge to Peter's Jewish identity. To "kill" (Gk. _thýō_) implies taking life, and to "eat" (Gk. _phágō_) implies consumption. Given the context of the sheet filled with "unclean" animals, this command directly violates the Mosaic dietary laws Peter had meticulously observed his entire life. It is a direct, unambiguous, and confrontational instruction designed to dismantle Peter's preconceived notions of purity and acceptable practice.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 10:13 employs several powerful literary devices. **Auditory Imagery** is central, with the repeated emphasis on "a voice" (Gk. _phōnḗ_) from heaven, signifying divine authority and direct communication. This auditory element makes the revelation undeniable and personal for Peter. **Imperative Mood** is used throughout the command ("Rise," "kill," "eat"), conveying the absolute and non-negotiable nature of God's will. These sharp, direct verbs leave no room for ambiguity or debate. Most significantly, the entire vision, including this command, functions as profound **Symbolism**. The "unclean" animals on the sheet are not merely about food; they symbolize the Gentiles, whom Peter, as a Jew, considered "unclean" or "common" in a spiritual and social sense. The command to "kill, and eat" these animals is a metaphorical instruction for Peter to embrace and fellowship with Gentiles, recognizing that God has cleansed them and made them acceptable through Christ. This symbolic representation is crucial for understanding the broader theological implications of the passage.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 10:13 serves as a theological linchpin, dramatically illustrating God's redemptive plan unfolding beyond ethnic boundaries. It signifies a profound shift from the Old Covenant's emphasis on ceremonial distinctions to the New Covenant's universal inclusivity. The voice's command to Peter to disregard traditional purity laws regarding food directly parallels God's intention to break down the spiritual and social barriers between Jews and Gentiles. This vision prepares Peter, and through him the early church, to understand that salvation in Christ is not limited to a specific people group but is freely offered to all who believe, demonstrating God's impartiality and boundless grace. It underscores that what God has declared clean, humanity must not deem common.

* [Mark 7:19](/mark/7-19 "Mark 7:19 - Jesus Declares All Foods Clean")
* [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - Unity in Christ")
* [Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 10:13 challenges believers today to critically examine their own preconceived notions, cultural biases, and comfort zones that might inadvertently hinder God's expansive purposes. Just as Peter was called to transcend deeply ingrained traditions, we are invited to cultivate a radical openness to God's leading, especially when it calls us to embrace those we might instinctively consider "other" or "unclean" based on social, economic, ethnic, or even theological distinctions. This passage compels us to move beyond our spiritual comfort zones, recognizing that God's love and redemptive grace extend to all humanity. It encourages us to actively dismantle any "walls of partition" that prevent us from sharing the gospel universally and fostering genuine fellowship with all whom God has cleansed through Christ. Our mission is to see people as God sees them—potential recipients of His grace, regardless of their background—and to participate in His work of reconciliation across all divides.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "unclean" things or people might God be calling me to embrace or minister to, challenging my own comfort zones or prejudices?**
* **How might my cultural or personal traditions inadvertently limit my understanding of God's inclusive love for all people?**
* **In what ways can I actively work to break down barriers between different groups within my community or church, reflecting God's impartiality?**

### FAQ
**Did Peter's vision abolish all dietary laws for Christians?**

Answer: Yes, in essence. While the immediate context of [Acts 10](/acts/10 "Acts 10 - Peter and Cornelius") focuses on the inclusion of Gentiles into the church, the vision's explicit command to "kill, and eat" animals previously considered unclean, followed by God's declaration in [Acts 10:15](/acts/10-15 "Acts 10:15 - God's Cleansing Declaration"), "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common," fundamentally redefines purity. This theological shift is further supported by Jesus's teaching in [Mark 7:19](/mark/7-19 "Mark 7:19 - Jesus Declares All Foods Clean"), where he declares all foods clean, and by Paul's extensive theological arguments in his epistles, particularly [Romans 14](/romans/14 "Romans 14 - Principles of Christian Liberty") and [Colossians 2:16-17](/colossians/2-16-17 "Colossians 2:16-17 - Freedom from Regulations"), which emphasize that believers are no longer bound by Old Covenant dietary regulations. The primary purpose of the vision was to teach Peter that God had cleansed Gentiles, making them acceptable for salvation and fellowship, thereby dismantling the ceremonial law as a barrier between Jew and Gentile.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 10:13 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the true "cleanser" and the one who breaks down all dividing walls. The command to "kill, and eat" symbolically foreshadows the new reality inaugurated by Christ's atoning sacrifice. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus fulfilled the Old Covenant law, including its ceremonial distinctions, and established a New Covenant founded on grace, not works or ritual purity. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), making all who believe in Him clean and acceptable to God, regardless of their former status. Christ's work on the cross abolished the "enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances," creating "one new man" out of Jew and Gentile, thus making peace ([Ephesians 2:15](/ephesians/2-15 "Ephesians 2:15 - Breaking Down the Wall")). The vision to Peter, therefore, is a divine revelation of the practical implications of Christ's finished work: that in Him, there is no longer "Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - Unity in Christ")). The "unclean" animals becoming "clean" represents the spiritual cleansing and inclusion of all nations into God's family through faith in Christ, demonstrating His universal Lordship and redemptive power.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 4:31

In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.

John 4:34

Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

Acts 10:10

And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,

Jeremiah 35:2

Go unto the house of the Rechabites, and speak unto them, and bring them into the house of the LORD, into one of the chambers, and give them wine to drink.

Jeremiah 35:5

And I set before the sons of the house of the Rechabites pots full of wine, and cups, and I said unto them, Drink ye wine.