Acts 10:32

KJV

Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of [one] Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

Send {G3992} therefore {G3767} to {G1519} Joppa {G2445}, and {G2532} call hither {G3333} Simon {G4613}, whose {G3739} surname is {G1941} Peter {G4074}; he {G3778} is lodged {G3579} in {G1722} the house {G3614} of one Simon {G4613} a tanner {G1038} by {G3844} the sea side {G2281}: who {G3739}, when he cometh {G3854}, shall speak {G2980} unto thee {G4671}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now send to Yafo and ask for Shim‘on, known as Kefa; he is staying in the house of Shim‘on, a leather-tanner, by the sea.’

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore send to Joppa for Simon, who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, by the sea.’

American Standard Version

Send therefore to Joppa, and call unto thee Simon, who is surnamed Peter; he lodgeth in the house of Simon a tanner, by the sea side.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 10:32 records the precise divine instruction given to Cornelius by an angel, directing him to send messengers to Joppa to summon Simon Peter. This verse is a crucial turning point, revealing God's meticulous orchestration of events to bring the Gospel message to the Gentiles through Peter, thereby initiating a new phase of the church's mission and challenging deeply ingrained Jewish cultural and religious barriers.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the pivotal narrative of Acts 10, which describes the simultaneous divine preparations of two key figures: Cornelius, a devout Roman centurion in Caesarea, and Simon Peter, a leading apostle, in Joppa. The preceding verses (Acts 10:1-8) detail Cornelius's vision, where an angel commands him to send for Peter, providing specific lodging details. This divine directive in Acts 10:32 directly follows that command, emphasizing the angel's clarity and the urgency of the mission. The subsequent narrative (Acts 10:33-48) recounts Peter's arrival, his sermon to Cornelius's household, and the groundbreaking outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Gentiles, validating their inclusion into the Christian community. The meticulous detail of Peter's lodging in Acts 10:32 serves to guide Cornelius's messengers precisely to the right person, highlighting God's sovereign hand in connecting two individuals from vastly different backgrounds for a monumental theological shift.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish society maintained strict distinctions between Jews and Gentiles, often viewing Gentiles as ritually unclean and avoiding social interaction, especially shared meals. This separation was rooted in Mosaic Law and centuries of tradition, intended to preserve Israel's distinctiveness. The profession of a tanner, like Simon in Joppa, involved handling dead animals, which rendered one ceremonially unclean according to Jewish law (Leviticus 11:39-40). Tanners typically worked outside city limits due to the unpleasant odors and the nature of their trade. Peter, a devout Jew, lodging in a tanner's house, even before his vision of the sheet, subtly foreshadows the breaking down of ritual purity laws and social barriers that God was about to accomplish. This setting, therefore, is not merely a geographical detail but a cultural pointer to the radical inclusivity God was initiating, preparing both Peter and the reader for the revolutionary events that would unfold.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 10:32 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Acts. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Guidance**, demonstrating God's active and precise intervention in human affairs to advance His redemptive plan. The angel's specific instructions to Cornelius, coupled with Peter's concurrent vision (see [Acts 10:9-16](/acts/10-9-16 "Peter's Vision of the Sheet")), illustrate God's meticulous orchestration. Secondly, the verse highlights the **Breaking of Barriers** between Jew and Gentile. The command for a Gentile to summon a Jewish apostle, who is lodged in a ritually "unclean" home, directly confronts deeply entrenched prejudices and customs. This event paves the way for the universal spread of the Gospel, fulfilling the Great Commission's mandate to reach "all nations" (compare [Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "The Great Commission")). Thirdly, it emphasizes **Preparation for Revelation and Salvation**. The stated purpose of Peter's coming—"who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee"—foreshadows the life-changing message of salvation that Peter will deliver, culminating in the Holy Spirit's outpouring on Cornelius's household (as seen in [Acts 10:44-48](/acts/10-44-48 "The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Joppa (Greek, _Ióppē'_):** A place in Palestine, specifically a coastal city (modern-day Jaffa). Its mention here is crucial for geographical precision, indicating the exact location where Peter could be found. Historically, Joppa was a significant port city, linking the land of Israel to the wider Mediterranean world, making it a fitting launchpad for the Gospel's expansion to the Gentiles.
* **tanner (Greek, _byrseús'_):** Derived from a word meaning "a hide," referring to a craftsman who processes animal hides into leather. This profession was often considered ceremonially unclean by Jews due to constant contact with dead animals. Peter, a devout Jew, lodging in the house of Simon a tanner, subtly highlights God's preparation of Peter to transcend traditional Jewish purity laws, laying the groundwork for the acceptance of Gentiles without requiring them to fully conform to Jewish customs.
* **speak (Greek, _laléō'_):** To talk, utter words, preach, say. This term emphasizes the verbal communication of the Gospel message. The angel's instruction that Peter "shall speak unto thee" underscores the importance of the spoken word in conveying God's truth and the message of salvation, which is precisely what Peter does upon his arrival, leading to the conversion of Cornelius's household.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter;":** This clause conveys the direct, authoritative command from the angel to Cornelius. The imperative "Send" (G3992, _pémpō_) denotes a dispatch or mission, emphasizing the intentionality of God's plan. The specific naming of "Simon, whose surname is Peter" (G4613, _Símōn_ and G4074, _Pétros_, with G1941, _epikaléomai_ "to surname") ensures no ambiguity regarding the identity of the apostle, highlighting his prominence and the divine certainty of the instruction. Joppa (G2445, _Ióppē_) provides the precise geographical target for Cornelius's messengers.
* **"he is lodged in the house of [one] Simon a tanner by the sea side:":** This clause provides the exact lodging details, demonstrating the meticulous nature of divine guidance. The verb "is lodged" (G3579, _xenízō_) indicates Peter is being hosted as a guest. The mention of "Simon a tanner" (G4613, _Símōn_ and G1038, _byrseús_) is highly significant, as tanners dealt with ritually unclean materials, making their homes places a devout Jew would typically avoid. This detail subtly prepares the reader for the radical inclusivity God is about to reveal, challenging Jewish purity laws and social norms. The "sea side" (G2281, _thálassa_) further pinpoints the location, making Peter easily findable.
* **"who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.":** This final clause reveals the divine purpose behind Peter's summons: to deliver a message. The relative pronoun "who" (G3739, _hós_) connects Peter directly to the action of speaking. The phrase "when he cometh" (G3854, _paragínomai_) anticipates his arrival, and "shall speak unto thee" (G2980, _laléō_ with G4671, _soí_) explicitly states the angel's promise that Peter will convey God's word to Cornelius. This sets the stage for Peter's sermon, which will lead to the conversion and Spirit-baptism of Cornelius's household, fulfilling the angel's promise.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 10:32 employs several significant literary devices. **Irony** is subtly present in Peter, a devout Jew, lodging in the house of a tanner—a profession considered ritually unclean according to Mosaic law. This setting foreshadows the breaking down of Jewish dietary and purity laws that Peter himself would soon experience in his vision, and ultimately, the inclusion of Gentiles into the clean community of believers. The **precision** of the angel's instructions ("Send therefore to Joppa," "call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter," "lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side") functions as a form of **divine omniscience**, highlighting God's meticulous control and sovereign orchestration of events. This detailed guidance also serves as a **narrative catalyst**, propelling the plot forward by ensuring the successful rendezvous of Peter and Cornelius, which is essential for the subsequent expansion of the Gospel to the Gentiles. Finally, the phrase "who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee" acts as **foreshadowing**, building anticipation for Peter's pivotal sermon and the transformative revelation that will follow for Cornelius and his household.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 10:32 is a powerful testament to God's active involvement in human history, meticulously orchestrating events to fulfill His redemptive purposes. It underscores the theme of divine initiative, where God Himself takes the lead in breaking down long-standing social and religious barriers to ensure the universal spread of the Gospel. The angel's precise instructions to Cornelius, coupled with Peter's concurrent preparatory vision, reveal a God who is not distant but intimately involved, guiding His servants to expand His kingdom beyond ethnic and cultural confines. This event fundamentally reshaped the early church's understanding of salvation, demonstrating that God's grace extends equally to all who believe, regardless of their background, and that the Holy Spirit is not limited to Jewish believers.

* [Acts 15:7-9](/acts/15-7-9 "Peter's Testimony at the Jerusalem Council")
* [Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Christ Breaks Down the Dividing Wall")
* [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "No Jew or Gentile in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 10:32 invites us to consider our own openness to God's leading, especially when His instructions challenge our comfort zones, preconceived notions, or cultural biases. Just as God prepared Peter to step beyond Jewish customs by lodging him in a tanner's house and giving him a vision, He often calls us to cross divides—whether social, economic, or cultural—to share His inclusive love. This verse encourages us to cultivate a posture of readiness and obedience, trusting that God's specific directions, even those that seem unconventional, are always purposeful and ultimately lead to the expansion of His kingdom and the flourishing of His people. It reminds us that God is actively at work, connecting people and situations in ways we might not anticipate, all for the sake of His redemptive plan. Our role is to be attentive listeners and willing participants in His grand narrative, ready to speak His truth and receive His revelation, wherever He leads.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might God be calling me to step outside my comfort zone or challenge my biases, similar to Peter lodging with a tanner?**
* **How does the precision of God's instructions in this verse encourage me to trust His detailed guidance in my own life?**
* **Am I truly open to God using me to reach people from different backgrounds or cultures, even if it requires me to overcome personal or societal barriers?**

### FAQ
**Why was it significant that Peter was staying with Simon a tanner?**
Answer: The significance of Peter staying with Simon, a tanner, lies in the cultural and religious context of first-century Judaism. Tanners worked with animal hides, a profession that involved constant contact with dead animals, which were considered ritually unclean according to Mosaic Law (e.g., [Leviticus 11:39-40](/leviticus/11-39-40 "Laws Concerning Unclean Animals")). Therefore, a tanner's home and profession would typically be avoided by devout Jews, as it would render them ceremonially unclean. Peter, a devout Jew, lodging in such a home, subtly demonstrates God's preparatory work in his heart, making him more open to transcending traditional Jewish purity laws and associating with Gentiles, who were considered "unclean" by many Jews. This detail foreshadows the breaking down of barriers between Jew and Gentile, a central theme of [Acts 10](/acts/10 "Acts Chapter 10 - Peter and Cornelius").

**What was the purpose of Peter being called to Cornelius?**
Answer: The primary purpose of Peter being called to Cornelius was to preach the Gospel message of salvation to him and his household. Acts 10:32 explicitly states that Peter "shall speak unto thee." This speaking culminates in Peter's sermon (recorded in [Acts 10:34-43](/acts/10-34-43 "Peter's Sermon to Cornelius")), which explains who Jesus is, His life, death, and resurrection, and the forgiveness of sins through faith in Him. Crucially, as Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon Cornelius and his Gentile household ([Acts 10:44](/acts/10-44 "The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles")), signifying God's acceptance of Gentiles into the Christian community without requiring them to first become Jewish proselytes. This event marked a monumental shift in the early church's understanding of its mission and the universality of the Gospel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 10:32, though focusing on the logistical details of Peter's summons, profoundly points to the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The meticulous divine orchestration to bring Peter to Cornelius is a direct consequence of Christ's finished work on the cross, which broke down the "dividing wall of hostility" between Jew and Gentile ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Christ Breaks Down the Dividing Wall")). Jesus, as the ultimate Lamb of God, took away the sin of the world, making salvation available to all ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")). The inclusion of Gentiles, initiated by this encounter, is a direct fulfillment of God's ancient promises to Abraham that "all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" ([Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "God's Promise to Abraham")). Peter, as an apostle, is merely an instrument in Christ's ongoing mission to gather His church from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation ([Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9-10 "The Multitude from Every Nation")). The message Peter would deliver to Cornelius was not his own, but the Gospel of Jesus Christ—the good news that through Christ, everyone who believes receives forgiveness of sins ([Acts 10:43](/acts/10-43 "Peter's Sermon Conclusion")). Thus, Acts 10:32 is a vital step in demonstrating how Christ's universal Lordship and saving power extend beyond all human-made boundaries, drawing all people to Himself.

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.