Acts 10:15

KJV

And the voice [spake] unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, [that] call not thou common.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} the voice {G5456} spake unto {G4314} him {G846} again {G3825}{G1537} the second time {G1208}, What {G3739} God {G2316} hath cleansed {G2511}, that call {G2840} not {G3361} thou {G4771} common {G2840}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The voice spoke to him a second time: “Stop treating as unclean what God has made clean.”

Berean Standard Bible

The voice spoke to him a second time: “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”

American Standard Version

And a voice came unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, make not thou common.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 10:15 records the pivotal second declaration from heaven to Peter during his trance in Joppa, emphatically stating, "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common." This divine pronouncement directly challenges Peter's deeply ingrained Jewish understanding of ritual purity and prepares him for the revolutionary truth that God's salvation extends beyond the boundaries of Jewish ceremonial law to embrace all people, regardless of their ethnic or social background, thereby ushering in a new era of inclusivity within the early church.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is central to the dramatic vision Peter experiences while praying on a rooftop in Joppa, as described in [Acts 10:9-16](/acts/10-9-16 "Acts 10:9-16 - Peter's Vision of the Sheet"). Having seen a great sheet filled with all manner of "common and unclean" animals descend, Peter is commanded to "kill, and eat." His immediate and strong refusal in [Acts 10:14](/acts/10-14 "Acts 10:14 - Peter's Refusal to Eat Unclean Things") sets the stage for the divine counter-argument presented in verse 15. The repetition of the voice's message (three times in total, as noted in [Acts 10:16](/acts/10-16 "Acts 10:16 - The Vision Repeats Three Times")) underscores its profound importance and Peter's initial resistance to its implications. This vision directly precedes the arrival of messengers from Cornelius, a Gentile centurion, whose story unfolds in [Acts 10:1-8](/acts/10-1-8 "Acts 10:1-8 - Cornelius' Vision") and subsequent verses, revealing the true, broader meaning of the vision.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Judaism was deeply shaped by the Mosaic Law, particularly concerning dietary regulations (kashrut) and the broader concepts of ritual purity and impurity. Jews meticulously avoided contact with anything deemed "unclean" (e.g., certain foods, dead bodies, lepers) and maintained strict separation from Gentiles, whom they often considered ritually "common" or "unclean" by virtue of their non-observance of Jewish law. This separation was not merely religious but also social and cultural, reinforcing a strong sense of Jewish identity and distinctiveness. Peter, as a devout Jew and an apostle, naturally adhered to these traditions, as evidenced by his protest in [Acts 10:14](/acts/10-14 "Acts 10:14 - Peter's Refusal"). The setting in Joppa, a port city, highlights the intersection of Jewish life with the wider Gentile world, making it a fitting location for God to challenge Peter's ethnocentric worldview and prepare him for cross-cultural ministry.

* **Key Themes:** Acts 10:15 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Acts and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Authority Over Purity**, asserting that God alone has the prerogative to declare what is clean or common, thereby superseding human traditions or interpretations of the Law. Secondly, it signals the **Breaking Down of Barriers** between Jew and Gentile, foreshadowing the inclusion of Gentiles into the Christian community without requiring them to first convert to Judaism or adhere to the ceremonial law. This theme is explicitly stated by Peter later in [Acts 10:28](/acts/10-28 "Acts 10:28 - Peter's Realization Regarding Gentiles") and becomes a foundational principle for the early church. Finally, the verse underscores the **Transformative Power of God's Grace**, demonstrating that what was once considered "common" or "unclean" by human standards can be made acceptable and holy through God's sovereign action, extending His salvation to all who believe, regardless of their past or background.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **voice (Greek, _phōnḗ'_):** G5456. Refers to an articulate sound, a tone, or an address. Here, it signifies a divine utterance, emphasizing that the command comes directly from God, carrying ultimate authority and requiring Peter's obedience. The repetition of this "voice" underscores the gravity and certainty of the message.
* **cleansed (Greek, _katharízō'_):** G2511. To make clean, purify, or purge, whether literally or figuratively. In this context, it refers to God's act of declaring something ritually pure or acceptable, overriding the Levitical distinctions that Peter had always observed. This cleansing is not merely external but implies a divine reclassification of status.
* **common (Greek, _koinóō'_):** G2840. From _koinos_, meaning "common" in the sense of shared or ordinary, but also "profane" or "unclean" in a ritual sense, especially in contrast to what is holy or set apart. The verb form here means "to make or consider profane" or "to defile." The divine command "call not thou common" directly challenges Peter's ingrained understanding and application of this concept, preparing him to see people, not just food, in a new light.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the voice spake unto him again the second time":** This clause emphasizes the divine persistence and the importance of the message. The repetition (it would speak a third time as well) highlights Peter's initial resistance and God's unwavering intent to convey this revolutionary truth. It signifies that this is not a one-off thought, but a crucial, repeated instruction from heaven.
* **"What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common":** This is the core of the divine revelation. It asserts God's ultimate authority over definitions of purity and impurity. The perfect tense "hath cleansed" indicates a completed action with ongoing results, meaning God's declaration is final and irreversible. The command "call not thou common" is a direct prohibition against Peter imposing his own (or traditional Jewish) distinctions where God has already made a declaration of acceptance. This statement is a direct theological challenge to the ceremonial laws that had long separated Jew from Gentile.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Repetition** is prominent, as the voice speaks "again the second time," and indeed, a third time is implied by the broader narrative of [Acts 10:16](/acts/10-16 "Acts 10:16 - The Vision Repeats Three Times"). This repetition serves to underscore the profound importance and revolutionary nature of the message, ensuring Peter cannot misunderstand or dismiss it. **Symbolism** is central, where the "unclean" foods represent the Gentile people, whom Peter and other Jews considered ritually impure and therefore separated from God's covenant people. The divine declaration about food is a metaphorical bridge to the truth about people. Finally, there is a powerful **Paradox** or **Irony** in God directly contradicting Peter's deeply held religious convictions, revealing that God's ways of purity and inclusion transcend human-made distinctions, even those derived from earlier divine commands, as the new covenant unfolds.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 10:15 marks a watershed moment in salvation history, signifying God's radical redefinition of purity and His universal plan of salvation. It proclaims that the ceremonial distinctions of the Old Covenant, which served to set Israel apart and foreshadow Christ, are now fulfilled and transcended in Christ. God's declaration that "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common" dismantles the ritual barriers that separated Jew from Gentile, paving the way for the gospel to be preached to all nations without requiring adherence to specific Jewish customs like dietary laws or circumcision. This theological shift underscores the truth that salvation is by grace through faith, not by adherence to external regulations. It emphasizes God's sovereign prerogative to declare what is clean and acceptable, revealing His boundless love and inclusive nature that embraces all humanity.

* [Mark 7:19](/mark/7-19 "Mark 7:19 - Jesus Declares All Foods Clean")
* [Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Breaks Down the Dividing Wall")
* [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - No Jew or Gentile in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 10:15 challenges believers to examine their own hearts for any prejudices or preconceived notions that might hinder them from embracing God's inclusive love. Just as Peter struggled to reconcile his traditions with God's new revelation, we too can fall into the trap of labeling people, groups, or even aspects of life as "common" or "unclean" based on our own cultural biases, social norms, or limited understanding, rather than God's declared truth. This verse calls us to align our perspective with God's, recognizing that His grace extends to all, transforming and cleansing those whom we might otherwise deem unworthy or outside of His favor. It reminds us that the gospel is for everyone, breaking down all human-made barriers of race, social status, or background, and inviting us to participate in God's mission of reconciliation and inclusion. Our mission is not to judge or exclude, but to proclaim the good news of God's cleansing power to all whom He has made clean.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "common" or "unclean" labels might I unconsciously apply to people or situations that God has already declared clean or acceptable through Christ?**
* **How might my cultural or personal biases prevent me from fully embracing and ministering to all people, regardless of their background?**
* **In what ways can I actively participate in breaking down barriers and fostering greater inclusion within my community and the church, reflecting God's heart for all humanity?**

### FAQ
**Why was Peter so resistant to the voice's command, even after it was repeated?**

Answer: Peter's resistance stemmed from his deep-seated adherence to Jewish dietary laws and the broader understanding of ritual purity, which had been foundational to his identity and faith since birth. As a devout Jew, he had "never eaten anything common or unclean" ([Acts 10:14](/acts/10-14 "Acts 10:14 - Peter's Refusal")). This was not merely a matter of personal preference but a religious conviction rooted in the Mosaic Law. The command to eat unclean animals directly challenged centuries of tradition and what he understood as divine commandment. His reluctance highlights the profound shift God was initiating, which required Peter to unlearn deeply ingrained cultural and religious norms to embrace a more expansive understanding of God's kingdom and grace.

**What does "common" mean in this context, and how does it relate to "unclean"?**

Answer: In this context, "common" (Greek: _koinos_) refers to something that is ritually impure or defiled, often by contact with something profane or by not being consecrated. It stands in contrast to what is "holy" or "clean" (Greek: _katharos_), which is set apart for God's use or is ritually acceptable. While "unclean" (Greek: _akathartos_) often refers to inherent impurity as defined by the Mosaic Law (e.g., certain animals), "common" can refer to something that becomes defiled through use or contact, or simply by not being consecrated. In Acts 10:15, the voice uses "cleansed" (referring to God's action) and "common" (referring to Peter's perception) to directly counter Peter's traditional categories, indicating that God's act of purification overrides any human or traditional classification of "common" or "unclean." This redefinition was crucial for Peter to understand that Gentiles, previously considered "common" or "unclean" by Jewish standards, were now made acceptable by God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 10:15 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 ceremonial laws of the Old Covenant, including dietary restrictions and distinctions between clean and unclean, were shadows pointing to the reality found in Christ ([Colossians 2:16-17](/colossians/2-16-17 "Colossians 2:16-17 - Shadow and Reality in Christ")). Jesus Himself declared all foods clean, addressing the spirit of the law over its letter ([Mark 7:19](/mark/7-19 "Mark 7:19 - Jesus Declares All Foods Clean")). More profoundly, through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Christ has purified humanity from the defilement of sin, making those who were once "common" or "unclean" in their sin now holy and acceptable before God ([Hebrews 9:13-14](/hebrews/9-13-14 "Hebrews 9:13-14 - Christ's Superior Cleansing")). He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, offering cleansing not just for a select few, but for all who believe ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Furthermore, Christ's work on the cross abolished the "law of commandments contained in ordinances," tearing down the "dividing wall of hostility" between Jew and Gentile, creating "one new man" out of the two ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Breaks Down the Dividing Wall")). Thus, the divine voice in Acts 10:15 is a direct echo of Christ's finished work, declaring 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")). Peter's vision is a profound revelation of the universal scope of Christ's redemptive power and the inclusive nature of His church.

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

1 Corinthians 10:25

Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, [that] eat, asking no question for conscience sake:

Matthew 15:11

Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

Titus 1:15

Unto the pure all things [are] pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving [is] nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

Mark 7:19

Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?

Romans 14:14

I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that [there is] nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him [it is] unclean.

1 Timothy 4:3

Forbidding to marry, [and commanding] to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

1 Timothy 4:5

For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.