Acts 10:28

And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

And {G5037} he said {G5346} unto {G4314} them {G846}, Ye {G5210} know {G1987} how {G5613} that it is {G2076} an unlawful thing {G111} for a man {G435} that is a Jew {G2453} to keep company {G2853}, or {G2228} come unto {G4334} one of another nation {G246}; but {G2532} God {G2316} hath shewed {G1166} me {G1698} that I should not {G3367} call {G3004} any {G3367} man {G444} common {G2839} or {G2228} unclean {G169}.

He said to them, “You are well aware that for a man who is a Jew to have close association with someone who belongs to another people, or to come and visit him, is something that just isn’t done. But God has shown me not to call any person common or unclean;

He said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with a foreigner or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.

and he said unto them, Ye yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to join himself or come unto one of another nation; and yet unto me hath God showed that I should not call any man common or unclean:

Commentary

Acts 10:28 marks a pivotal moment in the early Christian church, as the Apostle Peter articulates a profound shift in understanding God's will regarding Gentiles. Having entered the house of Cornelius, a Roman centurion, Peter explains why his presence there is significant and contrary to established Jewish custom.

Context

This verse comes directly after Peter's arrival at the home of Cornelius in Caesarea. According to deeply ingrained Jewish tradition and custom, it was considered "unlawful" (or at least highly improper and defiling) for a Jew to associate closely with or enter the home of a Gentile. This separation was rooted in purity laws and a desire to maintain distinctiveness from pagan practices. However, Peter's perspective was dramatically altered by a divine vision he experienced on a rooftop in Joppa (Acts 10:9-16). In this vision, he saw a sheet descending from heaven filled with all kinds of animals, some of which were considered unclean under Mosaic Law, and was commanded by God to "kill and eat." His initial refusal was met with the declaration, "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common." This vision, coupled with the arrival of messengers from Cornelius, led Peter to understand that God was breaking down traditional barriers.

Key Themes

  • Breaking Down Barriers: The verse powerfully illustrates God's intention to dismantle the division between Jews and Gentiles, paving the way for a truly universal church. Peter's statement signifies the end of a strict, exclusive ethnic identity for God's people and the beginning of a broader, inclusive spiritual identity.
  • God's Impartiality: Peter's realization that "God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean" directly foreshadows his declaration in Acts 10:34-35 that God shows no partiality. This highlights the foundational truth that salvation and acceptance by God are not based on ethnicity, social status, or ritual purity, but on faith and obedience.
  • Divine Revelation Over Tradition: Peter's obedience to God's direct revelation, even when it contradicted long-held and deeply respected Jewish customs, demonstrates the supremacy of God's Word and new covenant understanding over human tradition.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "unlawful thing" translates the Greek word athemiton (ἄθεμιτον), which means "not lawful," "illicit," or "forbidden by custom or divine law." While the Mosaic Law did not explicitly forbid all interaction with Gentiles, Jewish tradition had developed strict customs to avoid ritual defilement, making such association practically forbidden. The terms "common or unclean" translate koinon (κοινὸν) and akatharton (ἀκάθαρτον). Koinon refers to something "common" or "profane," implying it is not consecrated or is defiled by contact with something else. Akatharton specifically means "unclean" in a ritual or ceremonial sense. Peter's profound realization is that God no longer applies these distinctions to people, making all humanity equally accessible to His grace.

Significance and Application

Acts 10:28 is a landmark verse for understanding the expansion of the Gospel beyond its Jewish roots. It underscores the truth that in Christ, all people are welcome and equally valued in God's sight. For believers today, this verse serves as a powerful reminder to:

  • Overcome Prejudice: It challenges us to examine our own biases and prejudices, recognizing that God does not differentiate based on ethnicity, social standing, or background.
  • Embrace Inclusivity: The church is called to be a place where all people, regardless of their past or origin, are welcomed and can find a home in Christ. This echoes Paul's later teaching about Christ breaking down the "middle wall of partition" between Jew and Gentile.
  • Prioritize God's Will: Like Peter, we must be willing to let go of comfortable traditions or preconceived notions when God reveals a new or deeper understanding of His purposes.

This verse is foundational to the universal mission of the church, affirming that the good news of Jesus Christ is for "every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people" (Revelation 14:6).

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • John 4:9

    Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

  • Ephesians 3:6

    That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

  • Ephesians 3:7

    Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

  • Isaiah 65:5

    Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These [are] a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.

  • Acts 15:8

    And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as [he did] unto us;

  • Acts 15:9

    And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

  • John 18:28

    ¶ Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.
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