Acts 10:21

KJV

Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what [is] the cause wherefore ye are come?

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G1161} Peter {G4074} went down {G2597} to {G4314} the men {G435} which {G3588} were sent {G649} unto {G4314} him {G846} from {G575} Cornelius {G2883}; and said {G2036}, Behold {G2400}, I {G1473} am {G1510} he whom {G3739} ye seek {G2212}: what {G5101} is the cause {G156} wherefore {G1223}{G3739} ye are come {G3918}?

Complete Jewish Bible

So Kefa went down and said to the men, “You were looking for me? Here I am. What brings you here?”

Berean Standard Bible

So Peter went down to the men and said, “Here am I, the one you are looking for. Why have you come?”

American Standard Version

And Peter went down to the men, and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 10:21 captures the pivotal moment when Peter, having received divine instruction and a transformative vision, descends to meet the messengers sent by Cornelius, a Gentile centurion. His direct self-identification and inquiry into their purpose mark the immediate human response to God's sovereign orchestration, setting the stage for the groundbreaking expansion of the Gospel beyond Jewish boundaries and challenging deeply ingrained cultural and religious distinctions.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows a series of divinely orchestrated events designed to bring Peter and Cornelius together. Peter has just experienced a profound vision on the rooftop in Joppa, challenging his understanding of clean and unclean foods and, by extension, people ([Acts 10:9-16](/acts/10-9-16 "Peter's Vision of the Sheet")). Simultaneously, in Caesarea, Cornelius, a devout Gentile, received an angelic visitation instructing him to send for Peter ([Acts 10:3-6](/acts/10-3-6 "Cornelius's Vision and Command")). Crucially, as Peter pondered his vision, the Holy Spirit explicitly confirmed the arrival of three men and commanded him to go with them "without doubting, for I have sent them" ([Acts 10:19-20](/acts/10-19-20 "The Holy Spirit's Instruction to Peter")). Acts 10:21 describes Peter's immediate, obedient action in response to this divine directive, bridging the gap between divine revelation and human engagement.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The encounter described in Acts 10 takes place against a backdrop of deeply ingrained Jewish-Gentile separation. Jewish dietary laws (kashrut) and social customs strictly prohibited close association, let alone sharing meals, with Gentiles, who were considered ritually unclean. For Peter, a devout Jew, this was a significant cultural and religious barrier. Cornelius, a Roman centurion, was a "God-fearer," a Gentile who worshipped the God of Israel but had not fully converted to Judaism (e.g., through circumcision). The geographical setting involves Joppa, a coastal town where Peter was staying, and Caesarea, a Roman administrative center, highlighting the journey and the crossing of significant cultural divides. This meeting was revolutionary, challenging centuries of tradition and preparing the way for the church's universal mission.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 10:21 is a nexus for several major themes prevalent in the book of Acts and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Guidance**, where God meticulously orchestrates events, visions, and human interactions to fulfill His purposes, as seen in the parallel revelations to Peter and Cornelius and the Holy Spirit's direct instruction to Peter ([Acts 10:19-20](/acts/10-19-20 "The Holy Spirit's Guidance")). Another crucial theme is **Obedience to God's Call**, exemplified by Peter's immediate "going down" and engagement with the men, despite not fully comprehending the implications of his vision. This act of obedience paves the way for the **Breaking of Barriers** between Jews and Gentiles, a foundational theme for the early church's expansion. The narrative demonstrates God's initiative in extending salvation to all peoples, foreshadowing the inclusion of Gentiles into the Christian community, a truth later affirmed at the Jerusalem Council ([Acts 15:7-9](/acts/15-7-9 "Peter's Defense of Gentile Inclusion")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **went down (Greek, _katabaínō'_):** From κατά and the base of βάσις; to descend (literally or figuratively):--come (get, go, step) down, fall (down). This word describes Peter's physical movement from the rooftop where he had his vision and prayer, symbolizing his readiness to act on the Holy Spirit's instruction and engage with the new, divinely appointed reality.
* **seek (Greek, _zētéō'_):** Of uncertain affinity; to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by Hebraism) to worship (God), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life):--be (go) about, desire, endeavour, enquire (for), require, (X will) seek (after, for, means). In this context, it refers to Cornelius's men actively searching for Peter, confirming that their mission has been successfully completed.
* **cause (Greek, _aitía'_):** From the same as αἰτέω; a cause (as if asked for), i.e. (logical) reason (motive, matter), (legal) crime (alleged or proved):--accusation, case, cause, crime, fault, (wh-)ere(-fore). Peter's inquiry uses this term to ask for the specific reason or purpose of their visit, moving from mere identification to understanding their divine mission.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius;":** This clause describes Peter's immediate and obedient physical action. "Went down" likely refers to descending from the rooftop where he had his vision and prayer, indicating his readiness to act on the Holy Spirit's instruction. The men are explicitly identified as being "sent unto him from Cornelius," firmly linking this encounter to the parallel divine revelation given to the centurion.
* **"and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek:":** Peter's direct address confirms his identity to the messengers. The interjection "Behold" (ἰδοὺ, _idoú_) draws immediate attention and emphasizes the significance of his presence, signaling that their search has successfully concluded. This statement fulfills Cornelius's angelic instruction to find "Simon whose surname is Peter" ([Acts 10:5](/acts/10-5 "Cornelius's Angelic Instruction")).
* **"what [is] the cause wherefore ye are come?":** This is Peter's direct and crucial question, seeking to understand the purpose of their visit. The word "cause" (αἰτία, _aitía_) implies a reason or motive, indicating Peter's desire for a clear explanation of God's unfolding plan, even after receiving his own vision and the Spirit's promptings. It moves the narrative from identification to the revelation of Cornelius's mission.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 10:21 employs several literary devices to enhance its narrative impact. The immediate **Action** of Peter "going down" signifies his prompt obedience and readiness to engage with the divine directive, creating a sense of forward momentum in the narrative. The use of **Direct Speech** ("Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what [is] the cause wherefore ye are come?") brings immediacy and authenticity to the interaction, allowing the reader to witness Peter's direct and authoritative response. The interjection "Behold" (ἰδοὺ, _idoú_) functions as an **Exclamatory Marker**, drawing the reader's attention to the significance of Peter's self-identification and the fulfillment of the messengers' quest. Furthermore, the entire scene is a powerful example of **Divine Irony**, as Peter, a Jew bound by tradition, is being led by God to embrace Gentiles, a concept antithetical to his upbringing, setting up the profound theological shift that will follow.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 10:21 stands as a crucial pivot point, demonstrating God's meticulous preparation of both individuals and circumstances to advance His redemptive plan. It underscores the principle that divine revelation often precedes and necessitates human obedience. Peter's willingness to descend and engage, even before fully grasping the implications, highlights a core theological truth: God's purposes are often unfolded step-by-step, requiring faith and immediate response to His leading. This encounter directly challenges the deeply entrenched Jewish-Gentile divide, setting the stage for the universal proclamation of the Gospel. It affirms that God is not a God of partiality, but one who desires all people to come to a knowledge of Him, transcending cultural and ethnic boundaries.

* [Acts 10:34-35](/acts/10-34-35 "Peter's Realization of God's Impartiality")
* [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "No Jew or Gentile in Christ")
* [Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Christ Breaking Down the Wall of Hostility")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 10:21 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. Peter's prompt obedience, even in the face of an unfamiliar and culturally challenging directive, serves as a powerful model for our own walk of faith. How often do we hesitate or rationalize when God calls us to step out of our comfort zones or engage with people or situations that seem "unclean" or outside our usual circles? This verse reminds us that God often prepares the way for us, orchestrating circumstances and even preparing the hearts of those we are meant to encounter. Our role is to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's promptings, to be ready to identify ourselves as Christ's ambassadors, and to humbly inquire into the divine purpose behind the connections God brings into our lives. It challenges us to embrace God's expansive heart for all humanity, breaking down any internal or external barriers that might hinder the spread of His love and truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might God be calling you to "go down" and engage with something or someone outside your comfort zone?**
* **How can you cultivate a greater sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's promptings, enabling immediate obedience like Peter's?**
* **Are there any cultural or personal biases that might be preventing you from fully embracing God's universal call to reach all people?**

### FAQ

**Why was Peter's descent from the rooftop significant?**

Answer: Peter's descent from the rooftop, where he had just received his transformative vision and the Holy Spirit's explicit instruction, is highly significant. It symbolizes his immediate obedience and readiness to act on divine revelation. The rooftop was a place of prayer and contemplation ([Acts 10:9](/acts/10-9 "Peter Praying on the Rooftop")), and "going down" signifies moving from a space of spiritual reception to practical engagement. It shows Peter's willingness to meet the men where they were, literally and figuratively, and to step into the unknown territory God was leading him towards, setting the stage for the groundbreaking visit to Cornelius's house in Caesarea ([Acts 10:23-24](/acts/10-23-24 "Peter Departs for Caesarea")).

**What does Peter mean by "I am he whom ye seek"?**

Answer: When Peter says, "Behold, I am he whom ye seek," he is directly confirming his identity to Cornelius's messengers. This statement is crucial because Cornelius had been specifically instructed by an angel to send for "Simon whose surname is Peter" ([Acts 10:5](/acts/10-5 "Cornelius's Angelic Instruction")). Peter's immediate self-identification, likely prompted by the Holy Spirit's prior warning that men were looking for him ([Acts 10:19-20](/acts/10-19-20 "The Holy Spirit's Instruction to Peter")), assures the messengers that they have found the correct person, fulfilling the divine directive given to Cornelius. It marks the successful completion of their initial mission and paves the way for the next phase of God's plan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 10:21, while seemingly a simple narrative detail, profoundly foreshadows the universal scope of Christ's redemptive work. Peter's "going down" to meet the Gentile messengers, prompted by the Holy Spirit, is a direct outworking of the new covenant inaugurated by Jesus. Christ's death and resurrection broke down the "dividing wall of hostility" between Jew and Gentile ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Christ Breaking Down the Wall")), making one new humanity in Himself. Peter, as an apostle, is being divinely prepared to understand and proclaim this truth. His vision of "unclean" animals being declared clean ([Acts 10:15](/acts/10-15 "God Declares All Clean")) is a symbolic representation of God's cleansing work through Christ, extending salvation to all who believe, regardless of their ethnic or cultural background. Just as Jesus welcomed and ministered to Samaritans and other marginalized groups, demonstrating His universal love ([John 4:7-42](/john/4-7-42 "Jesus and the Samaritan Woman")), so Peter is now being led to extend the Gospel to Gentiles, fulfilling the Great Commission to make disciples of "all nations" ([Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "The Great Commission")). This verse, therefore, is a vital step in the unfolding of God's plan to gather a people for Himself from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation, all united in Christ ([Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9-10 "Multitude from Every Nation Worshipping God")).

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 1:38

Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?

John 1:39

He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.

Acts 10:29

Therefore came I [unto you] without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?

Mark 10:51

And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.

John 18:4

Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?

John 18:8

Jesus answered, I have told you that I am [he]: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: