Acts 10:3

KJV

He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.

KJV (with Strong's)

He saw {G1492} in {G1722} a vision {G3705} evidently {G5320} about {G5616} the ninth {G1766} hour {G5610} of the day {G2250} an angel {G32} of God {G2316} coming in {G1525} to {G4314} him {G846}, and {G2532} saying {G2036} unto him {G846}, Cornelius {G2883}.

Complete Jewish Bible

One afternoon around three o’clock he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!”

Berean Standard Bible

One day at about the ninth hour, he had a clear vision of an angel of God who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”

American Standard Version

He saw in a vision openly, as it were about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in unto him, and saying to him, Cornelius.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 10:3 describes a pivotal moment in the early Christian movement, detailing the divine encounter of Cornelius, a Roman centurion, who receives a clear vision from God. This verse initiates a sequence of events that will profoundly impact the early church's understanding of Gentile inclusion, as an angel of God appears to Cornelius at a traditional hour of prayer, directly addressing him and preparing the way for a transformative encounter with the apostle Peter.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 10:3 is situated at the very beginning of a narrative arc that is central to the book of Acts: the expansion of the Gospel to the Gentiles. Immediately preceding this verse, Acts 10:1-2 introduces Cornelius as a devout, God-fearing Roman centurion residing in Caesarea, a significant Roman administrative center. He is portrayed as a man of prayer and almsgiving, indicating his sincere spiritual seeking despite his Gentile status. This verse sets the stage for a dual vision, as Cornelius's experience is soon paralleled by Peter's vision in [Joppa](/acts/10-9-16 "Acts 10:9-16 - Peter's Vision of the Sheet"), creating a divine synchronicity that orchestrates their meeting. The clarity and timing of Cornelius's vision underscore its divine origin and significance, preparing the reader for the revolutionary events that follow, culminating in the [Holy Spirit's outpouring on Gentiles](/acts/10-44-48 "Acts 10:44-48 - The Holy Spirit Falls on Gentiles").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Caesarea Maritima, where Cornelius lived, was the Roman capital of Judea, a bustling port city with a significant Gentile population and a strong Roman military presence. As a centurion, Cornelius commanded 100 soldiers, placing him within the Roman administrative and military elite, a position typically associated with pagan religious practices. His devoutness and "fear of God" (Acts 10:2) indicate he was a "God-fearer," a Gentile who adhered to certain Jewish monotheistic principles and moral standards without fully converting to Judaism (e.g., circumcision). The "ninth hour of the day" (3 PM) was one of the traditional Jewish hours of prayer (along with 9 AM and 12 PM), observed even by early Christians (cf. [Acts 3:1](/acts/3-1 "Acts 3:1 - Peter and John go to the Temple at the hour of prayer")). Cornelius's observance of this Jewish prayer time, despite being a Gentile, highlights his sincere spiritual discipline and openness to God, making him a prime candidate for divine revelation.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Acts. Firstly, it exemplifies **Divine Initiative and Revelation**, showing God actively reaching out to individuals, even those outside the traditional covenant community, through direct, undeniable means. Secondly, it highlights the role of **Angelic Mediation**, as an angel serves as a divine messenger, underscoring the spiritual reality and God's use of heavenly agents to communicate His will (cf. [Hebrews 1:14](/hebrews/1-14 "Hebrews 1:14 - Angels as Ministering Spirits")). Thirdly, it is foundational to the theme of **Gentile Inclusion**, as Cornelius's vision is the initial step in God's plan to officially open the door of salvation to non-Jews, dismantling long-held ethnic and religious barriers within the early church (cf. [Acts 10:34-35](/acts/10-34-35 "Acts 10:34-35 - God Shows No Partiality")). Finally, it underscores **God's Response to Sincere Seeking**, demonstrating that God notices and responds to those who genuinely seek Him, regardless of their background or current understanding of the full truth.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **saw (Greek, _eídō'_):** This primary verb means "to see" literally or figuratively, and by implication, "to know." In this context, it emphasizes Cornelius's direct, experiential perception of the vision. It was not a mere thought or impression, but a tangible, undeniable sight, indicating a profound and personal encounter with the divine.
* **vision (Greek, _hórama'_):** Derived from the verb "to see," this noun refers to something gazed at, a spectacle, especially one that is supernatural. The use of _hórama_ confirms that Cornelius's experience was a divinely orchestrated, supernatural manifestation, distinct from an ordinary dream or waking thought, serving as a clear means of divine communication.
* **evidently (Greek, _phanerōs'_):** This adverb means "plainly, clearly, or publicly." Its inclusion stresses the unmistakable clarity and manifest nature of the vision. Cornelius was not left to wonder if what he saw was real or imagined; the vision was undeniably clear, leaving no room for doubt about its divine origin and purpose.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He saw in a vision evidently":** This opening clause immediately establishes the supernatural nature and undeniable clarity of Cornelius's experience. The combination of "saw" (eídō) and "vision" (hórama) indicates a direct, visual encounter with a supernatural phenomenon, while "evidently" (phanerōs) underscores that this was not a vague impression or a dream, but a clear and manifest divine appearance, leaving no doubt in Cornelius's mind.
* **"about the ninth hour of the day":** This phrase provides a precise temporal marker, placing the vision at approximately 3 PM. This was a traditional Jewish hour for prayer, observed daily by devout Jews and early Christians. The timing highlights Cornelius's spiritual discipline and suggests that God met him in a moment of sincere devotion, indicating that his spiritual seeking was recognized and honored by God.
* **"an angel of God coming in to him":** This identifies the divine messenger and his action. The angel is explicitly identified as "of God," emphasizing divine authority and purpose. The phrase "coming in to him" suggests a physical manifestation within Cornelius's space, further reinforcing the tangible and real nature of the encounter, rather than a mere internal impression.
* **"and saying unto him, Cornelius":** This concludes the verse by stating the angel's initial communication. The angel's direct address, calling Cornelius by name, personalizes the divine encounter and immediately captures his attention, setting the stage for the specific instructions that will follow in the subsequent verses. This personal address signifies that God knows him intimately and has a specific purpose for him.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Vision** is a prominent motif, a common biblical means by which God communicates directly with individuals, lending authority and divine origin to the message. The phrase "saw in a vision evidently" uses **Emphasis** through adverbial modification ("evidently") to underscore the undeniable clarity and reality of the supernatural encounter, dispelling any ambiguity. The **Direct Address** of Cornelius by name ("Cornelius") by the angel serves as a powerful personalizing device, immediately establishing a direct, intimate connection between the divine messenger and the recipient, ensuring his full attention and signaling the importance of the message to follow. This entire scene also functions as **Foreshadowing**, preparing the reader for the significant theological shifts and the expansion of the Gospel to the Gentiles that will unfold in the subsequent narrative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 10:3 is a foundational text demonstrating God's sovereign initiative in revealing Himself and His will, particularly to those who sincerely seek Him, irrespective of their current religious or ethnic background. It underscores the principle that God's plan of salvation is not limited by human distinctions or preconceived boundaries. The divine encounter with Cornelius, a Gentile, signals a monumental shift in redemptive history, preparing the way for the full inclusion of non-Jews into the family of God. This verse, therefore, highlights God's impartiality and His active involvement in orchestrating the spread of the Gospel beyond its initial Jewish confines.

* [Acts 10:34-35](/acts/10-34-35 "Acts 10:34-35 - God Shows No Partiality")
* [Luke 7:1-10](/luke/7-1-10 "Luke 7:1-10 - The Faith of the Centurion")
* [Hebrews 1:14](/hebrews/1-14 "Hebrews 1:14 - Angels as Ministering Spirits")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 10:3 serves as a profound reminder that God is actively engaged in the world and attentive to the sincere prayers and spiritual hunger of individuals, regardless of their background or current understanding. Cornelius was not a Jew, yet his devoutness and consistent prayer life caught God's attention, leading to a direct divine encounter. This encourages us to cultivate a life of sincere seeking and prayer, trusting that God sees and responds to hearts that genuinely turn towards Him. It also challenges us to remain open to God's surprising ways of working, often transcending our expectations and breaking down human-made barriers. Just as God initiated contact with Cornelius, He continues to pursue individuals today, inviting them into a deeper relationship and revealing His purposes. This verse calls us to be attentive to divine leading, whether through clear promptings, the counsel of others, or the unfolding of circumstances, recognizing that God is always at work to advance His kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Cornelius's devotion, despite being a Gentile, challenge my assumptions about who God reveals Himself to?**
* **In what ways might God be "evidently" revealing Himself or His will in my life, and am I attentive to these signs?**
* **What "ninth hour" (moments of consistent spiritual discipline) in my life might God be using to prepare me for a new divine encounter or direction?**

### FAQ

**Why was it significant that Cornelius saw the vision "about the ninth hour of the day"?**

Answer: The "ninth hour of the day" corresponds to 3 PM, which was one of the traditional Jewish hours of prayer (along with 9 AM and 12 PM). This detail is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it highlights Cornelius's spiritual discipline and devoutness; despite being a Gentile, he observed Jewish customs of prayer, indicating his sincere seeking of God. Secondly, it suggests that God met him in a moment of intentional worship and devotion, affirming that God responds to those who earnestly seek Him. This timing also parallels the time Peter received his vision in [Acts 10:9](/acts/10-9 "Acts 10:9 - Peter's Vision at Noon"), creating a divine synchronicity that underscores the providential nature of their impending meeting.

**What does it mean that the vision was "evidently" clear?**

Answer: The Greek word translated "evidently" (phanerōs) means "plainly, clearly, or publicly." This emphasizes that Cornelius's vision was not a vague dream, a fleeting thought, or a subjective impression. It was a clear, undeniable, and manifest appearance, leaving no doubt in his mind about its reality or divine origin. This clarity was crucial because the vision carried a significant divine directive that would lead to a revolutionary shift in the early church's mission, requiring an unambiguous call to action for Cornelius.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 10:3, though seemingly a simple narrative detail, profoundly foreshadows the universal scope of Christ's redemptive work. Cornelius, a Gentile, receives a direct divine revelation, signifying that God's grace, once primarily focused on Israel, is now extending to all nations through Jesus Christ. The angel's appearance to Cornelius, a man of sincere faith outside the covenant of Israel, points to the reality that in Christ, the old barriers are broken down (cf. [Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Breaks Down the Dividing Wall")). This vision prepares the way for Peter to declare the good news that "whoever believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name" ([Acts 10:43](/acts/10-43 "Acts 10:43 - Forgiveness Through Jesus' Name")), making it clear that salvation is not contingent on ethnic origin or adherence to the Mosaic Law, but on faith in Jesus Christ. The angel's message to Cornelius is a divine invitation, an echo of the broader Gospel invitation that extends to "every tribe and language and people and nation" ([Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - Redeemed from Every Tribe")), all made possible by the atoning sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God").

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

Daniel 9:20

¶ And whiles I [was] speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God;

Daniel 9:21

Yea, whiles I [was] speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.

Acts 3:1

¶ Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, [being] the ninth [hour].

Acts 5:19

But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,

Isaiah 45:4

For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.

Acts 9:4

And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

Luke 2:10

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.