Acts 10:23

Then called he them in, and lodged [them]. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

Then {G3767} called he {G1528} them {G846} in {G1528}, and lodged {G3579} them. And {G1161} on the morrow {G1887} Peter {G4074} went away {G1831} with {G4862} them {G846}, and {G2532} certain {G5100} brethren {G80} from {G575} Joppa {G2445} accompanied {G4905} him {G846}.

So Kefa invited them to be his guests.

The next day, he got up and went with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Yafo;

So Peter invited them in as his guests. And the next day he got ready and went with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa.

So he called them in and lodged them. And on the morrow he arose and went forth with them, and certain of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

Acts 10:23 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of the early church, demonstrating Peter's immediate obedience to God's directive and the practical steps taken towards the inclusion of Gentiles into the Christian faith. This verse bridges the divine revelations Peter and Cornelius received with the actual journey that would lead to the Holy Spirit falling upon Gentiles.

Context

Preceding this verse, Peter had just experienced a profound vision on the rooftop in Joppa, where God commanded him to eat ceremonially unclean animals, declaring them clean (Acts 10:9-16). While Peter was still pondering the meaning of this vision, messengers sent by the Roman centurion Cornelius arrived at his door, guided by an angelic vision of their own (Acts 10:1-8). The Holy Spirit then explicitly instructed Peter to accompany these men without hesitation, for He had sent them (Acts 10:19-20). This verse, Acts 10:23, shows Peter's compliant response: inviting the Gentile messengers in for the night and preparing to travel with them the next day.

Key Themes

  • Obedience to Divine Instruction: Peter's immediate action to "call them in" and "go away with them" highlights his willingness to obey God's clear, albeit challenging, command. This obedience was crucial for the expansion of the Gospel beyond Jewish boundaries.
  • Hospitality Across Cultural Barriers: The act of "lodging them" was significant. For a devout Jew like Peter, extending hospitality to uncircumcised Gentiles was a radical departure from common practice, underscoring the breaking down of traditional social and religious barriers initiated by God.
  • The Role of Witnesses: The inclusion of "certain brethren from Joppa" who accompanied Peter is vital. These Jewish believers served as eyewitnesses to the unprecedented events that would unfold in Cornelius's house, providing crucial testimony and validation for the inclusion of Gentiles when Peter later reported to the church in Jerusalem (Acts 11:1-18). This foretells the need for communal affirmation in the early church's major doctrinal shifts.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "lodged [them]" uses a verb that implies providing overnight accommodation. It's a simple term but carries significant weight in this context, demonstrating Peter's immediate embrace of the divine command to overcome his cultural prejudices and extend fellowship to those previously considered outside the covenant people.

Practical Application

Acts 10:23 encourages believers today to cultivate:

  • Radical Obedience: Be ready to obey God's call, even when it challenges personal comfort zones or long-held traditions.
  • Inclusive Hospitality: Extend welcome and fellowship to all people, regardless of background, race, or social standing, recognizing that God shows no partiality (Acts 10:34).
  • The Value of Community: Seek wise counsel and accountability from fellow believers, and be prepared to serve as witnesses to God's work, helping others understand and accept new moves of the Spirit.
This verse reminds us that God often uses ordinary people in extraordinary ways to advance His kingdom, requiring faith and a willingness to step beyond the familiar.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 11:12

    And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:

  • Acts 10:45

    And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

  • 1 Peter 4:9

    Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

  • Hebrews 13:2

    Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

  • Acts 10:33

    Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

  • Ecclesiastes 9:10

    Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do [it] with thy might; for [there is] no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

  • Genesis 19:2

    And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.

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