Acts 10:29

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore {G1352}{G2532} came I {G2064} unto you without gainsaying {G369}, as soon as I was sent for {G3343}: I ask {G4441} therefore {G3767} for what {G5101} intent {G3056} ye have sent for {G3343} me {G3165}?

Complete Jewish Bible

so when I was summoned, I came without raising any questions. Tell me, then, why did you send for me?”

Berean Standard Bible

So when I was invited, I came without objection. I ask, then, why have you sent for me?”

American Standard Version

wherefore also I came without gainsaying, when I was sent for. I ask therefore with what intent ye sent for me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 10:29 captures Peter's arrival at Cornelius's house in Caesarea, a pivotal moment marking the expansion of the Gospel to Gentiles. Peter declares his prompt and unquestioning obedience to the divine summons, despite the profound cultural and religious barriers it traversed. His subsequent question reveals a humble desire to understand the specific purpose behind this unprecedented gathering, setting the stage for the groundbreaking revelation of God's impartiality.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 10:29 is situated at the climax of a divinely orchestrated narrative that bridges the Jewish and Gentile worlds. Immediately preceding this verse, Peter has received 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 ritual purity and association with Gentiles ([Acts 10:9-16](/acts/10-9-16 "Peter's Vision of the Sheet")). Simultaneously, Cornelius, a devout Roman centurion, received a vision instructing him to send for Peter ([Acts 10:1-8](/acts/10-1-8 "Cornelius's Vision and Messengers")). Peter's statement in verse 29 is his public acknowledgment of obedience to God's command, following his initial resistance and subsequent realization that God was leading him to preach to Gentiles ([Acts 10:17-23](/acts/10-17-23 "Peter's Reflection and the Arrival of Cornelius's Men")). His words here open the door for Cornelius to explain his own divine encounter, leading directly to Peter's sermon and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Gentiles.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish society was meticulously structured around laws of purity and separation, largely derived from the Mosaic Law. Direct association, especially eating, with Gentiles was strictly forbidden for devout Jews, as Gentiles were considered ritually unclean. This separation was not merely social but deeply theological, reinforcing Israel's unique covenant relationship with God. Peter, as a Jew and an apostle, would have adhered to these norms rigorously. Caesarea, a Roman administrative capital, was a cosmopolitan city with a significant Gentile population, making Cornelius's household a stark contrast to Peter's Jewish background. Peter's willingness to enter a Gentile home, let alone share a meal, represented a radical departure from centuries of tradition, driven solely by divine revelation. This act was a profound theological statement, signaling the dismantling of the "dividing wall of hostility" ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")) between Jew and Gentile in Christ.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Acts. Foremost is the **sovereignty and guidance of the Holy Spirit**, as God orchestrates the meeting through parallel visions, compelling Peter to act against his natural inclinations. It underscores the **universality of the Gospel**, demonstrating that salvation is not exclusive to the Jewish people but is extended to all who fear God and do what is right ([Acts 10:34-35](/acts/10-34-35 "God Shows No Partiality")). Peter's obedience highlights the theme of **discipleship and transformation**, showing how God challenges and reshapes the understanding of His servants to align with His broader redemptive purposes. Finally, it exemplifies the theme of **breaking down barriers**, both social and theological, paving the way for the multi-ethnic composition of the early church described throughout the rest of Acts, particularly in the subsequent chapters detailing Paul's missionary journeys.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **anantirrhḗtōs (Greek, _anantirrhḗtōs'_):** Translated as "without gainsaying," this adverb signifies Peter's immediate and unquestioning compliance. It literally means "without contradiction" or "without speaking against," highlighting a profound shift from his initial resistance to God's command in his vision ([Acts 10:14](/acts/10-14 "Peter's Initial Objection to God's Command")). His arrival was not begrudging but prompt and willing, demonstrating a full submission to the divine directive.
* **metapémpō (Greek, _metapémpō'_):** Meaning "to send from elsewhere" or "to summon/invite," this word emphasizes that Peter's presence was not self-initiated but a direct response to a divine summons facilitated by human messengers. It underscores the providential nature of the encounter, as God orchestrated both Cornelius's sending and Peter's coming, ensuring the right people were brought together for His purposes.
* **lógos (Greek, _lógos'_):** Translated as "intent" here, this versatile term refers to something said, a topic, reasoning, or purpose. In this context, Peter is asking for the specific "reason" or "purpose" behind Cornelius's summons. This demonstrates his desire to understand God's unfolding plan and the precise meaning of this unprecedented Gentile encounter, even after having received a general divine directive.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore came I [unto you] without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for"**: This clause reveals Peter's obedient and prompt response to the divine call. The initial "Therefore" links his physical presence directly to the preceding divine instructions and visions he received. The phrase "without gainsaying" emphasizes his complete and immediate compliance, contrasting sharply with his earlier verbal resistance to God's command regarding clean and unclean animals. His statement "as soon as I was sent for" further highlights the swiftness and willingness of his obedience, indicating that he did not delay or argue once God's will became clear, despite the significant cultural implications of entering a Gentile home.
* **"I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?"**: This second clause shifts Peter's focus from his obedience to a humble inquiry about the specific purpose of the meeting. The "therefore" here connects his question to his obedient arrival, implying that because he has come in obedience, he now seeks to understand the precise reason for the summons. Peter, though divinely guided, does not assume full knowledge of God's detailed plan but humbly seeks clarity on Cornelius's motivation and, by extension, God's specific intention for this groundbreaking encounter. This demonstrates a balance between obedient action and a desire for deeper understanding.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Contrast** to highlight Peter's transformation. His declaration "without gainsaying" stands in stark opposition to his earlier protest, "Not so, Lord" ([Acts 10:14](/acts/10-14 "Peter's Initial Objection")). This contrast underscores the profound impact of God's revelation on Peter's understanding and willingness to obey. **Irony** is also present, as Peter, who initially resisted God's command to associate with Gentiles, now stands in a Gentile home, ready to fulfill that very command. The structure of the verse itself, moving from Peter's statement of obedience to his question of intent, creates a sense of **Anticipation**, building suspense for Cornelius's explanation and the subsequent unfolding of God's plan for Gentile inclusion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 10:29 serves as a crucial theological bridge, demonstrating God's active role in breaking down human-made barriers and expanding His covenant of grace. Peter's obedience, born out of a divine encounter, underscores the principle that God's will often transcends human tradition and comfort zones. This encounter profoundly redefines the boundaries of God's people, moving from an ethnically defined community to one based on faith in Christ, irrespective of background. It highlights God's impartiality and His desire for all people to come to know Him, laying the groundwork for the universal mission of the church.

* [Isaiah 56:7](/isaiah/56-7 "Isaiah 56:7 - God's House for All Nations")
* [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - Unity in Christ")
* [Ephesians 2:11-22](/ephesians/2-11-22 "Ephesians 2:11-22 - Christ Our Peace and the New Humanity")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Peter's journey to Cornelius's house and his statement in Acts 10:29 offer profound lessons for contemporary believers. We are called to cultivate a spirit of radical obedience, even when God's directives challenge our deeply ingrained traditions, cultural norms, or personal preferences. Just as Peter had to re-evaluate centuries of Jewish custom in light of God's new revelation, we must continually examine our own biases and comfort zones, asking if they hinder us from embracing God's expansive love for all people. This verse encourages us to be open to divine interruptions that push us beyond our familiar boundaries, recognizing that God often works in unexpected ways to fulfill His purposes. It also reminds us that obedience is not passive; it involves actively seeking God's specific intent and purpose in every situation, allowing Him to unfold His plan through our yieldedness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might God be calling me to step outside my comfort zone or challenge my preconceived notions?**
* **How readily do I obey God's clear commands, even when they seem counter-cultural or personally inconvenient?**
* **Am I willing to cross social or cultural barriers to share the Gospel, reflecting God's impartiality?**
* **Beyond simply obeying, do I actively seek to understand God's deeper "intent" or purpose behind His commands for my life?**

### FAQ

**Why was it so significant for Peter to go to a Gentile's house?**

Answer: For a devout Jew like Peter, entering a Gentile's house, especially to share a meal, was considered a violation of ritual purity laws and centuries of tradition. Jews meticulously avoided contact with Gentiles to maintain their ceremonial cleanness, believing such association would defile them. Peter's willingness to go, therefore, represented a radical departure from deeply ingrained religious and cultural norms, demonstrating his profound obedience to God's direct command and signaling a monumental shift in the early church's understanding of who could receive the Gospel. This event directly challenged the notion that God's favor was exclusive to the Jewish people, paving the way for the inclusion of Gentiles into the Christian community.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 10:29, with Peter's obedient arrival at Cornelius's house, powerfully foreshadows the universal scope of Christ's redemptive work. Peter's breaking of cultural and religious barriers reflects the ultimate barrier-breaking act of Jesus Himself, who, through His crucifixion, "has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility" ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")). Just as Peter's journey was prompted by divine visions, Christ's entire mission was the fulfillment of God's eternal purpose to reconcile all things to Himself, whether on earth or in heaven ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciliation Through Christ")). The inclusion of Gentiles, symbolized by Peter's presence in Cornelius's home, is a direct consequence of Christ's atoning sacrifice, which opened the way for all people, Jew and Gentile alike, to have access to the Father through one Spirit ([Ephesians 2:18](/ephesians/2-18 "Ephesians 2:18 - Access to the Father Through Christ")). Peter's humble inquiry about Cornelius's "intent" ultimately leads to the proclamation of the good news of Jesus Christ, the one who is Lord of all ([Acts 10:36](/acts/10-36 "Acts 10:36 - Jesus Christ is Lord of All")), demonstrating that the divine purpose for which Peter was sent was nothing less than the expansion of Christ's kingdom to every nation.

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

Psalms 119:60

I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.

1 Peter 3:15

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Acts 10:19

¶ While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

Acts 10:20

Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.