Acts 10:25

KJV

And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped [him].

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} as {G5613} Peter {G4074} was {G1096} coming in {G1525}, Cornelius {G2883} met {G4876} him {G846}, and fell down {G4098} at {G1909} his feet {G4228}, and worshipped {G4352} him.

Complete Jewish Bible

As Kefa entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell prostrate at his feet.

Berean Standard Bible

As Peter was about to enter, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet to worship him.

American Standard Version

And when it came to pass that Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 10:25 vividly portrays the dramatic encounter between the Apostle Peter and Cornelius, a devout Roman centurion. As Peter entered Cornelius's home, Cornelius, overwhelmed with reverence and awe, prostrated himself at Peter's feet in an act of profound homage, bordering on worship. This moment sets the stage for Peter's immediate and crucial theological correction, emphasizing that true worship is reserved for God alone and highlighting the humility required of God's servants.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment in the unfolding narrative of Acts 10, which marks a monumental shift in the early church's mission—the inclusion of Gentiles into the Christian community without requiring conversion to Judaism. The preceding verses detail two parallel divine visions: Cornelius's vision of an angel instructing him to send for Peter in Joppa ([Acts 10:1-8](/acts/10-1-8 "Cornelius's Vision and Instructions")) and Peter's vision of a sheet filled with unclean animals, accompanied by a divine command to "kill and eat," which challenged his 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")). Peter's arrival at Cornelius's house, prompted by the Spirit's guidance ([Acts 10:19-20](/acts/10-19-20 "The Spirit's Guidance to Peter")), culminates in this highly anticipated meeting. The immediate follow-up in [Acts 10:26](/acts/10-26 "Peter's Humble Response") is Peter's swift and firm rejection of Cornelius's gesture, which is essential for understanding the theological implications of verse 25.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the Greco-Roman world, prostration (proskynesis) before a superior, whether a king, emperor, or esteemed dignitary, was a common practice signifying respect, honor, and submission. While it could denote extreme deference, it could also be an act of divine worship, especially when directed towards figures perceived to possess divine authority or power. Cornelius, a Roman centurion, would have been familiar with such displays of reverence for emperors or gods. His devoutness, described in [Acts 10:2](/acts/10-2 "Cornelius's Piety"), suggests he was a "God-fearer"—a Gentile who revered the God of Israel but had not fully converted to Judaism. His profound respect for Peter, whom he perceived as a messenger directly from God, led him to this culturally significant act of prostration, likely intending the highest form of honor he knew, potentially blurring the line between extreme deference and actual worship.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 10:25 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Acts. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the **Universal Scope of the Gospel**, demonstrating that God's salvation is not limited to the Jewish people but extends to the Gentiles, breaking down long-standing ethnic and religious barriers ([Acts 10:34-35](/acts/10-34-35 "God Shows No Partiality")). Secondly, the verse, especially when read with Peter's response in [Acts 10:26](/acts/10-26 "Peter's Rejection of Worship"), highlights the critical theme of **Worship Due to God Alone**, unequivocally rejecting any form of human adoration or spiritual celebrity. It reinforces the biblical principle that only the Creator is worthy of worship. Lastly, it exemplifies the **Humility of Apostolic Leadership**, showcasing Peter's immediate redirection of attention from himself to God, setting a precedent for all who serve in spiritual authority.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Peter (Greek, _Pétros'_):** This word refers to Simon Peter, one of Jesus's chief apostles. The name, meaning "rock," was given to him by Jesus, signifying his foundational role in the early church. Here, his identity as a leading apostle underscores the significance of this encounter and his subsequent actions in rejecting worship.
* **met (Greek, _synantáō'_):** Derived from "with" and a word meaning "opposite," this verb means "to meet with" or "to occur." It describes the direct coming together of Peter and Cornelius, emphasizing the intentionality of their encounter, which was divinely orchestrated. The meeting is not accidental but the culmination of supernatural guidance.
* **worshipped (Greek, _proskynéō'_):** This term, from "towards" and a probable derivative meaning "to kiss (like a dog licking its master's hand)," signifies to fawn or crouch to, to prostrate oneself in homage, to do reverence to, or to adore. While it can denote general respect or homage to a superior (e.g., bowing before a king), in biblical contexts, especially when rejected by the recipient, it carries the strong connotation of divine worship, indicating an act reserved for God. Cornelius's action, therefore, was perceived by Peter as crossing the line into adoration due only to the divine.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And as Peter was coming in,"**: This phrase sets the scene, indicating the moment of Peter's arrival at Cornelius's house. The use of "as" (G5613 _hōs_) suggests an ongoing action, emphasizing the immediacy of the encounter. Peter's entry is not merely physical; it signifies the gospel's entry into a new, previously excluded, household.
* **"Cornelius met him,"**: This highlights Cornelius's eagerness and anticipation. He did not wait for Peter to fully enter or be seated but actively went out to meet him, demonstrating his profound respect and the urgency with which he awaited Peter's message. This "meeting" (G4876 _synantáō_) is the climactic moment of the two parallel visions converging.
* **"and fell down at his feet,"**: This describes Cornelius's physical posture. To "fall down" (G4098 _píptō_) at someone's "feet" (G4228 _poús_) was a common gesture of extreme reverence, submission, or supplication in the ancient world. It conveyed the highest honor and humility on the part of the one prostrating, acknowledging the superior status or authority of the other.
* **"and worshipped [him]."**: This is the most crucial clause. The Greek word "worshipped" (G4352 _proskynéō_) indicates an act of profound reverence. While it can mean extreme deference, in this context, especially given Peter's immediate reaction in [Acts 10:26](/acts/10-26 "Peter's Rejection of Worship"), it is understood as an act of divine worship or an act so close to it that it required immediate correction. Cornelius's intent, whether fully understanding the theological implications or simply expressing the highest honor he knew, was interpreted by Peter as an act of adoration reserved for God alone.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several effective **Literary Devices**. The **Dramatic Irony** is palpable: Cornelius, a devout "God-fearer," attempts to worship a mere man, Peter, who is about to deliver a message about the one true God. This irony highlights the need for divine revelation to correct human understanding. The **Parallelism** between Cornelius's vision and Peter's vision, culminating in this meeting, underscores the divine orchestration of events, emphasizing God's initiative in breaking down barriers. The **Symbolism** of Cornelius falling at Peter's feet, while an act of reverence, also symbolizes the Gentile world's readiness to humble itself before the messenger of God's truth, even if the initial object of reverence was misplaced. Peter's subsequent action in [Acts 10:26](/acts/10-26 "Peter's Rejection of Worship") serves as a powerful **Antithesis** to Cornelius's gesture, contrasting human veneration with the exclusive worship due to God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 10:25, particularly when viewed in light of Peter's immediate response in the following verse, powerfully reinforces the foundational biblical truth of **monotheism** and the **exclusivity of divine worship**. Cornelius's act, while born of sincere reverence, represents a human tendency to elevate spiritual leaders or divine messengers beyond their proper place. Peter's swift and humble correction ("Stand up; I myself also am a man") serves as an enduring theological safeguard against idolatry and the deification of human beings. It underscores that all glory, honor, and worship belong solely to God. This incident is a crucial teaching moment, demonstrating that even the most esteemed apostles are but servants, pointing people to the true object of adoration.

* [Matthew 4:10](/matthew/4-10 "Jesus Rejects Satan's Offer of Worship"): Jesus himself declares, "You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve."
* [Revelation 19:10](/revelation/19-10 "Angel Rejects John's Worship"): An angel explicitly tells John, "Do not do that! I am a fellow servant with you... Worship God!"
* [Romans 1:25](/romans/1-25 "Worshiping the Creature Rather Than the Creator"): Paul condemns those who "exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 10:25, viewed in conjunction with Peter's immediate response, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers and leaders. It serves as a powerful reminder that all worship, adoration, and ultimate devotion are reserved for God alone. In an age where spiritual leaders can gain significant followings and influence, this passage is a crucial safeguard against the subtle dangers of spiritual celebrity and the misplaced veneration of human figures. True spiritual leadership, exemplified by Peter, always points people to Christ, not to oneself. It calls for humility in those who serve and discernment in those who follow, ensuring that our reverence is always directed to the Creator, not the created. This passage challenges us to examine our own hearts: do we give undue honor or deference to any person, institution, or even our own achievements, that rightfully belongs only to God? Our ultimate allegiance and worship must be undivided.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might we, even subtly, give undue honor or "worship" to human leaders, institutions, or even our own accomplishments, instead of reserving ultimate devotion for God alone?**
* **How can spiritual leaders cultivate and demonstrate the humility exemplified by Peter, consistently redirecting praise and attention to God rather than themselves?**
* **What is the difference between showing respect and honor to individuals (which is appropriate) and offering worship (which is reserved for God)? How can we better discern this in our own lives and in the church?**

### FAQ

**Was Cornelius wrong to worship Peter?**

Answer: Yes, Cornelius's act of "worship" (proskynéō) was indeed misplaced, and Peter's immediate reaction in [Acts 10:26](/acts/10-26 "Peter's Rejection of Worship") clearly indicates this. While Cornelius's intention was likely to show the highest possible honor and reverence to someone he believed was a divine messenger, his action crossed the line into an act of adoration that is reserved for God alone. Peter's response, "Stand up; I myself also am a man," unequivocally corrects this, emphasizing that no human being, regardless of their spiritual authority or divine appointment, is worthy of worship. This incident serves as a vital theological lesson against the deification of humans and underscores the biblical principle that worship is due only to the Creator.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 10:25, and Peter's subsequent actions, find profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. Firstly, Peter's rejection of worship directly mirrors and reinforces the example of Christ, who consistently pointed to the Father and refused to accept glory that was not His own or that would detract from God's sovereignty. Jesus himself, when tempted by Satan, declared, "[You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve](/matthew/4-10 "Matthew 4:10 - Jesus Rejects Satan's Temptation")", setting the ultimate standard for worship. Secondly, the breaking down of the Jew-Gentile barrier, which this encounter initiates, is the direct fulfillment of Christ's work on the cross, where He "[broke down the dividing wall of hostility](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Breaks Down the Wall")" between Jew and Gentile, creating one new humanity in Himself. Peter, in this moment, is acting as an agent of Christ's redemptive work, extending the gospel to all nations as commanded in the Great Commission ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "The Great Commission")). Finally, Peter's humility in redirecting Cornelius's worship to God points to Christ as the sole object of ultimate adoration. While Peter is a faithful servant, it is Christ alone who is "[the image of the invisible God](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of God")" and "[the radiance of God's glory](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ, the Radiance of God's Glory")", worthy of all worship and praise.

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

Revelation 19:10

And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See [thou do it] not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Revelation 22:8

And I John saw these things, and heard [them]. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.

Revelation 22:9

Then saith he unto me, See [thou do it] not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

Matthew 8:2

And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

Daniel 2:46

¶ Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him.

Daniel 2:30

But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for [any] wisdom that I have more than any living, but for [their] sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.

Acts 14:11

And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.