Acts 10:23

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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;

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 10:23 marks a critical juncture in the unfolding narrative of the early church, illustrating Peter's immediate and radical obedience to God's divine instruction. This verse bridges the revelatory visions received by both Peter and Cornelius, translating divine mandates into tangible actions as Peter extends hospitality to Gentile messengers and prepares for a journey that will irrevocably alter the trajectory of Christian inclusion, paving the way for the Holy Spirit's outpouring upon non-Jews.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 10:23 immediately follows a series of profound divine encounters. Peter has just experienced a transformative vision on a rooftop in Joppa, where God declared all foods clean, challenging Peter's deeply ingrained Jewish dietary laws and, by extension, his understanding of clean and unclean people ([Acts 10:9-16](/acts/10-9-16 "Peter's Vision of the Sheet")). Simultaneously, Cornelius, a devout Roman centurion in Caesarea, received an angelic vision instructing him to send for Peter ([Acts 10:1-8](/acts/10-1-8 "Cornelius's Vision and Messengers")). As Peter pondered his vision, the Holy Spirit directly intervened, commanding him to accompany Cornelius's messengers without hesitation, "for I have sent them" ([Acts 10:19-20](/acts/10-19-20 "The Spirit's Command to Peter")). Thus, Acts 10:23 serves as the practical, obedient response to these divine orchestrations, setting the stage for the groundbreaking events at Cornelius's house.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Judea, the social and religious chasm between Jews and Gentiles was profound. Jewish law and tradition, particularly concerning ritual purity and dietary restrictions, often led to strict separation from Gentiles, who were considered "unclean." Sharing a meal or lodging with a Gentile was an act that could render a Jew ritually defiled. Joppa, a coastal city, was a significant port, often a place of interaction between Jews and Gentiles, yet the cultural norms of segregation persisted. Peter, a devout Jew, would have been deeply ingrained in these traditions. His act of "calling them in, and lodging them" was not merely hospitable but a radical transgression of deeply held cultural and religious boundaries, directly challenging centuries of Jewish custom concerning interaction with uncircumcised Gentiles. This act, therefore, underscores the revolutionary nature of God's new covenant.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Acts. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Guidance**, demonstrating how God meticulously orchestrates events—through visions, angelic messengers, and direct Spirit-led commands—to fulfill His redemptive purposes, specifically the expansion of the Gospel beyond Jewish ethnocentricity. Secondly, **Obedience to God's Call** is paramount; Peter's immediate compliance, despite his initial reservations about the vision ([Acts 10:14](/acts/10-14 "Peter's Objection to Eating Unclean Animals")), is crucial for the narrative's progression. Thirdly, the theme of **Breaking Down Barriers** is vividly portrayed through Peter's act of hospitality towards Gentiles, foreshadowing the inclusion of all nations into God's family, a concept explicitly articulated later by Peter in [Acts 10:34-35](/acts/10-34-35 "God Shows No Partiality") and profoundly affirmed at the Jerusalem Council in [Acts 15](/acts/15 "The Jerusalem Council"). Finally, the inclusion of "certain brethren from Joppa" underscores the theme of **Witness and Validation**, providing crucial Jewish eyewitnesses to the Holy Spirit's work among Gentiles, which would be vital for Peter's later defense before the Jerusalem church ([Acts 11:1-18](/acts/11-1-18 "Peter's Report to the Jerusalem Church")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **called he them in (Greek, _eiskaléō'_):** This compound verb, from `eis` (into) and `kaléō` (to call), literally means "to call into" or "to invite in." Its use here signifies Peter's immediate and direct response to the Holy Spirit's instruction. It's an active invitation, not a passive acceptance, indicating Peter's intentional act of hospitality that directly challenged his cultural and religious upbringing. This calling in was the first step in breaking down the wall of separation.
* **lodged (Greek, _xenízō'_):** Derived from `xénos` (a stranger, guest, or host), this verb means "to be a host," "to entertain," or "to receive as a guest." In this context, it refers to Peter providing overnight accommodation for the Gentile messengers. This act was profoundly significant, as it implied sharing space and potentially food, which for a devout Jew like Peter, was a radical departure from common practice. It embodies the breaking of social and religious barriers, demonstrating a practical application of God's declaration of "cleanliness" beyond mere food.
* **accompanied (Greek, _synérchomai'_):** From `sýn` (with, together) and `érchomai` (to come, go), this verb means "to come together," "to go with," or "to associate with." Its application to the "certain brethren from Joppa" highlights the deliberate inclusion of witnesses. Their presence was not incidental but crucial for validating the unprecedented events that would unfold in Cornelius's house, providing irrefutable testimony to the Jewish Christian community about God's work among the Gentiles.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then called he them in, and lodged [them]."**: This clause describes Peter's immediate and obedient response to the Holy Spirit's instruction. Despite his earlier reluctance regarding the vision of unclean animals, Peter opens his home to the Gentile messengers, an act of radical hospitality that transcends deep-seated Jewish cultural and religious norms. The act of "lodging" them signifies a profound acceptance and fellowship previously unthinkable for a devout Jew towards uncircumcised Gentiles, marking the initial practical step in the inclusion of Gentiles into the Christian community.
* **"And on the morrow Peter went away with them,"**: This segment details Peter's continued obedience and commitment to the divine directive. "On the morrow" indicates no delay; Peter acts promptly. His decision to "go away with them" signifies his willingness to leave the familiar confines of Joppa and embark on a journey into Gentile territory, directly engaging with those previously considered "outsiders." This physical journey symbolizes the spiritual journey of the Gospel's expansion beyond its Jewish origins.
* **"and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him."**: The inclusion of these "certain brethren" is a crucial detail. These were Jewish believers from Peter's local community in Joppa who chose to "accompany" him. Their presence served a vital role: they were eyewitnesses to the entire unfolding event. Their testimony would later be indispensable in validating Peter's actions and the subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Gentiles when Peter reported back to the skeptical church leaders in Jerusalem, providing communal affirmation for this revolutionary shift in the early church's mission.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 10:23 employs several literary devices to convey its profound significance. The immediate shift from divine revelation to human action exemplifies **Narrative Progression**, swiftly moving the plot forward from Peter's internal struggle and spiritual instruction to his decisive, obedient steps. The act of "lodging them" functions as powerful **Symbolism**, representing the breaking down of the "dividing wall of hostility" (Ephesians 2:14) between Jew and Gentile, a physical manifestation of the spiritual truth revealed in Peter's vision. Furthermore, the inclusion of "certain brethren from Joppa" acts as **Foreshadowing**, subtly hinting at the future need for corroborating testimony and communal validation, which becomes critically important when Peter recounts these events to the church in Jerusalem. This detail also emphasizes the theme of **Witness**, a recurring motif in Acts, where the spread of the Gospel is consistently affirmed by credible observers.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 10:23 serves as a pivotal theological bridge, demonstrating how God's divine initiative directly challenges and transforms human prejudice and tradition to advance His universal redemptive plan. Peter's obedience and radical hospitality are not merely personal virtues but embody the Spirit-led dismantling of the old covenant's exclusionary practices, paving the way for a new, inclusive community of faith where ethnic and social distinctions are transcended by the unifying power of the Holy Spirit. This verse underscores the radical nature of the Gospel, which calls believers to extend fellowship and love to all, recognizing that God's grace knows no boundaries and His family encompasses every nation, tribe, people, and language. It is a testament to the fact that God's kingdom is not limited by human constructs but is actively breaking them down.

* [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "In Christ There Is Neither Jew Nor Gentile")
* [Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Fellow Citizens with the Saints")
* [Colossians 3:11](/colossians/3-11 "Christ Is All, and Is in All")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 10:23 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, urging us to cultivate a spirit of radical obedience and inclusive hospitality that mirrors God's own impartiality. Just as Peter was challenged to step beyond his deeply ingrained cultural and religious comfort zones, we too are called to respond promptly and courageously when God's Spirit prompts us to embrace those traditionally considered "outsiders" or to engage in actions that defy conventional wisdom. This verse reminds us that true faith is not merely intellectual assent but a dynamic willingness to act on divine revelation, even when it demands personal sacrifice or challenges long-held prejudices. It calls us to actively dismantle social, racial, or cultural barriers within our communities and churches, fostering environments where all are welcomed and affirmed as equally valued in God's sight. Furthermore, the presence of the "brethren from Joppa" highlights the importance of communal witness and accountability in navigating new moves of God, encouraging us to invite others to observe and validate God's work, thereby strengthening the collective faith and understanding of the church.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or ministry might God be calling me to extend "radical hospitality" to those I might instinctively consider "other" or "unclean"?**
* **What deeply ingrained cultural or personal prejudices might I need to confront and overcome in order to fully obey God's inclusive call?**
* **How can I, like the brethren from Joppa, serve as a witness to God's transformative work in the lives of others, helping my community understand and embrace new expressions of His grace?**

### FAQ

**Why was it so significant for Peter to "lodge" Gentile messengers?**

Answer: For a devout Jew like Peter, extending hospitality, especially overnight lodging, to uncircumcised Gentiles was a radical and culturally transgressive act. Jewish purity laws and social customs often mandated separation from Gentiles, who were considered ritually unclean. Sharing a home or a meal could render a Jew defiled. Peter's act of "lodging" them (from the Greek _xenízō_, to entertain a stranger) demonstrated his immediate and profound obedience to God's vision and the Spirit's command, signaling the breaking down of traditional barriers between Jew and Gentile. It was a tangible expression of God's declaration that what He has made clean should no longer be called common or unclean, a principle central to the new covenant's inclusivity ([Acts 10:15](/acts/10-15 "What God has made clean, do not call common")).

**What was the purpose of the "certain brethren from Joppa" accompanying Peter?**

Answer: The inclusion of "certain brethren from Joppa" (Greek _adelphós_, brothers) was crucial for several reasons. Firstly, they served as vital eyewitnesses to the extraordinary events that were about to unfold in Cornelius's house. Their presence provided independent, Jewish testimony to the fact that the Holy Spirit fell upon Gentiles, just as He had upon Jewish believers at Pentecost ([Acts 11:15-17](/acts/11-15-17 "The Holy Spirit Fell on Them as on Us")). This eyewitness account would be indispensable when Peter later had to defend his actions and the inclusion of Gentiles to the skeptical Jewish Christian leaders in Jerusalem ([Acts 11:1-18](/acts/11-1-18 "Peter's Defense to the Jerusalem Church")). Their accompaniment also signifies a communal endorsement, or at least observation, of Peter's unprecedented mission, laying the groundwork for the broader acceptance of Gentile conversion within the early church.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 10:23, while focusing on Peter's obedience and the burgeoning Gentile mission, profoundly foreshadows the Christ-centered reality of God's universal salvation. Peter's radical act of hospitality, inviting and lodging Gentiles, embodies the very essence of Christ's mission: to break down the dividing wall of hostility and reconcile all humanity to God and to one another. Jesus Himself declared that He came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Jesus Fulfills the Law")), and this fulfillment includes the expansion of God's covenant family beyond ethnic boundaries. In Christ, there is no longer "Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "In Christ There Is Neither Jew Nor Gentile")). Peter's journey to Cornelius's house, initiated by this act of hospitality, directly leads to the revelation that "God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him" ([Acts 10:34-35](/acts/10-34-35 "God Shows No Partiality")). This truth is the cornerstone of the new covenant, established through Christ's atoning sacrifice, which opened the way for all who believe to become fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Fellow Citizens with the Saints")). Thus, Peter's actions in Acts 10:23 are a tangible outworking of the inclusive, reconciling work accomplished by Jesus Christ on the cross, inviting all to partake in the blessings of His kingdom.

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

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.