Acts 10:46

KJV

For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} they heard {G191} them {G846} speak with {G2980} tongues {G1100}, and {G2532} magnify {G3170} God {G2316}. Then {G5119} answered {G611} Peter {G4074},

Complete Jewish Bible

on the Goyim, for they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Kefa’s response was,

Berean Standard Bible

For they heard them speaking in tongues and exalting God. Then Peter said,

American Standard Version

For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 10:46 records the pivotal moment when the Holy Spirit dramatically fell upon Cornelius's Gentile household in Caesarea, evidenced by their speaking in tongues and magnifying God. This miraculous outpouring, occurring even before their baptism, served as undeniable divine confirmation to Peter and his Jewish companions that God's salvation and the indwelling Spirit were now unequivocally extended to Gentiles, irrevocably altering the trajectory of the early church's mission and understanding of God's universal grace.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 10:46 is the immediate, climactic response to the Holy Spirit's descent upon the Gentiles, as described in [Acts 10:44-45](/acts/10-44-45 "Acts 10:44-45 - The Holy Spirit Falls on Gentiles"). This event directly follows Peter's profound vision of the sheet with unclean animals and his subsequent revelation that God shows no partiality ([Acts 10:9-16](/acts/10-9-16 "Acts 10:9-16 - Peter's Vision of Unclean Animals") and [Acts 10:34](/acts/10-34 "Acts 10:34 - God Shows No Partiality")). The verse highlights the audible and observable evidence that convinced Peter and his Jewish companions that these Gentiles had received the same Spirit as they had at Pentecost, thus paving the way for their baptism and full inclusion into the nascent Christian community. The narrative flow emphasizes divine initiative, with the Spirit acting sovereignly and unexpectedly, even before Peter had finished preaching.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Caesarea Maritima, a Roman city and the administrative capital of Judea, signifying the geographical and cultural expansion of the Gospel beyond its Jewish homeland. Cornelius, a Roman centurion, was a "devout man" who feared God, gave alms, and prayed regularly ([Acts 10:1-2](/acts/10-1-2 "Acts 10:1-2 - Cornelius, a Devout Man")). This background is crucial, as it showcases God's readiness to save those outside the traditional covenant community of Israel. The Jewish-Gentile divide was deeply ingrained in first-century society, marked by strict purity laws and social separation. For Peter, a devout Jew, entering a Gentile home and sharing a meal was a significant transgression of cultural norms, underscoring the revolutionary nature of God's command and the Spirit's subsequent validation. This event directly challenged deeply held Jewish convictions about who could be part of God's people.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Acts. Foremost is the **Inclusion of Gentiles**, demonstrating God's plan to extend salvation to all nations, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies like those found in [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - A Light to the Gentiles"). It underscores the **Sovereignty of the Holy Spirit**, as the Spirit's unsolicited outpouring on Cornelius's household before baptism asserts divine initiative and validation over human rituals. This unprecedented event serves as **Divine Confirmation**, providing irrefutable evidence—through the miraculous gifts of tongues and the glorification of God—that these Gentiles were genuinely accepted by God and had received the same Spirit as the Jewish believers at [Pentecost](/acts/2 "Acts 2 - The Day of Pentecost"). It also highlights the theme of **Breaking Down Barriers**, as the Spirit's work dismantles the traditional divide between Jew and Gentile, paving the way for a unified body of believers in Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **heard (Greek, _akoúō'_):** This word (G191) signifies not just passive hearing, but often hearing with understanding or heeding. In this context, Peter and his companions "heard" the Gentiles speaking, implying they recognized the phenomenon as genuine and significant. Their hearing was crucial for the divine confirmation.
* **tongues (Greek, _glōssa'_):** This term (G1100) refers to the tongue as an organ, but by implication, a language, specifically one naturally unacquired. Here, it denotes the miraculous ability to speak in languages unknown to the speaker, a sign of the Spirit's presence and power, similar to the phenomenon at Pentecost.
* **magnify (Greek, _megalýnō'_):** This word (G3170) means to make or declare great, to increase, or to extol. The content of the tongues was not mere ecstatic utterance but intelligible praise and glorification directed towards God, indicating the divine and purposeful nature of the manifestation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For they heard them speak with tongues":** This clause establishes the primary evidence of the Holy Spirit's outpouring. The "they" refers to Peter and the Jewish believers who accompanied him from Joppa ([Acts 10:23](/acts/10-23 "Acts 10:23 - Peter's Companions")). The act of "speaking with tongues" (Greek: _glōssais lalein_) is an audible, miraculous manifestation of the Holy Spirit, akin to the events of [Pentecost in Acts 2](/acts/2-4 "Acts 2:4 - Speaking in Tongues at Pentecost"). It signifies a direct, supernatural communication ability, not a learned language, and serves as an undeniable sign of divine presence and approval.
* **"and magnify God.":** This crucial phrase clarifies the content and purpose of the tongues. The Gentiles were not speaking nonsensically, but were "magnifying God" (Greek: _megalynontōn ton Theon_). This means they were extolling, praising, and glorifying God, likely recounting His mighty works and attributes in these divinely enabled languages. This aspect of the manifestation was key to convincing Peter and his companions of the authenticity and divine origin of the experience, as it aligned with the purpose of spiritual gifts to bring glory to God.
* **"Then answered Peter,":** This final clause sets the stage for Peter's response, which is recorded in the subsequent verses. Peter's "answer" (Greek: _apokrínomai_) is not merely a reply to a question, but a decisive statement or action prompted by the overwhelming evidence he had just witnessed. His immediate understanding and subsequent command to baptize them signify a radical shift in his theological perspective, moving from an exclusive Jewish focus to an inclusive, universal understanding of God's redemptive plan.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound theological message. **Divine Intervention** is central, as the Holy Spirit's sudden and unprompted descent upon the Gentiles underscores God's sovereign initiative in extending salvation beyond traditional boundaries. The **Auditory and Visual Evidence** (hearing them speak in tongues and magnify God) serves as a powerful form of **Confirmation**, leaving no doubt in the minds of Peter and his companions about the authenticity of the Gentiles' experience and God's acceptance of them. There is also an element of **Dramatic Irony**, as Peter, who initially struggled with the vision of unclean animals and the idea of Gentile inclusion, is now confronted with undeniable proof of God's impartiality, forcing him to reconcile his prior understanding with this new divine reality.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 10:46 stands as a watershed moment in salvation history, unequivocally demonstrating God's universal redemptive plan. Theologically, it asserts that the Holy Spirit is not bound by ethnic, cultural, or religious distinctions, but is poured out on all who believe, regardless of their background. This event shattered the deeply ingrained Jewish perception that God's covenant blessings were exclusive to Israel, revealing a God who "shows no partiality" ([Acts 10:34](/acts/10-34 "Acts 10:34 - God Shows No Partiality")). It confirms that faith in Christ, validated by the Spirit's presence, is the sole criterion for inclusion in God's family, not adherence to Jewish law or lineage. This theological truth laid the groundwork for the church's global mission, affirming that the Gospel is for "every nation, tribe, people, and language" ([Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9 - A Multitude from Every Nation")).

* [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - No Jew or Gentile, Slave or Free, Male or Female in Christ")
* [Ephesians 2:14-18](/ephesians/2-14-18 "Ephesians 2:14-18 - Christ Our Peace, Breaking Down Walls")
* [Romans 10:12-13](/romans/10-12-13 "Romans 10:12-13 - Salvation for All Who Call on the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 10:46 offers profound lessons for believers today, challenging us to embrace God's radical inclusivity and to recognize the Holy Spirit's ongoing, transformative work. Just as Peter had to overcome his preconceived notions, we are called to examine our own biases and prejudices, ensuring that our communities are welcoming spaces for all people, reflecting God's impartial love. This verse reminds us that the Spirit empowers believers for authentic worship and witness, enabling us to magnify God in ways that transcend human limitations. It encourages us to be open to how God moves in unexpected ways, even outside our established traditions or comfort zones, always prioritizing the Spirit's leading over human expectations. Ultimately, our spiritual experiences, like those of Cornelius's household, should culminate in the glorification of God, inspiring others to acknowledge His greatness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, like Peter, hold onto preconceived notions that limit my understanding of God's inclusive love?**
* **How does the Holy Spirit's work in my life enable me to "magnify God" in practical ways?**
* **What barriers (cultural, social, personal) might I need to overcome to fully embrace God's diverse family?**

### FAQ
**What kind of "tongues" were spoken by Cornelius's household?**

Answer: The context of [Acts 10:46](/acts/10-46 "Acts 10:46 - Speaking in Tongues and Magnifying God") and its strong parallel with [Acts 2](/acts/2 "Acts 2 - The Day of Pentecost") suggests that these were intelligible languages previously unknown to the speakers, divinely enabled for the purpose of "magnifying God." Unlike some later interpretations of "tongues" as ecstatic utterances, the emphasis here is on the content being understandable praise and glorification of God, serving as clear evidence to Peter and his companions that the Holy Spirit had indeed fallen upon the Gentiles. This miraculous ability to speak in and understand foreign languages was a sign of God's universal message breaking through linguistic and cultural barriers.

**Why was this event so significant for the early church?**

Answer: This event was profoundly significant because it provided undeniable divine validation for the inclusion of Gentiles into the Christian community without requiring them to first convert to Judaism or adhere to Jewish law. Prior to this, salvation was largely understood within a Jewish framework. The Holy Spirit's direct outpouring on Cornelius's household, before their baptism, demonstrated God's explicit acceptance of Gentiles on the same terms as Jews—through faith in Christ, confirmed by the Spirit's presence. This pivotal moment, later affirmed at the [Jerusalem Council in Acts 15](/acts/15 "Acts 15 - The Jerusalem Council"), irrevocably shaped the church's identity as a universal body, paving the way for the global spread of the Gospel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 10:46, with its dramatic account of Gentiles receiving the Holy Spirit, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. The inclusion of Cornelius's household is a direct consequence of Christ's redemptive mission, for it is through His atoning sacrifice on the cross that the dividing wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile was broken down ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Breaks Down the Dividing Wall")). Jesus' Great Commission, to "make disciples of all nations" ([Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission")), is powerfully realized here, as the Spirit, whom Christ promised to send ([John 14:16-17](/john/14-16-17 "John 14:16-17 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit")), now empowers Gentiles to magnify God. This event foreshadows the global church, a new humanity reconciled to God and to one another through Christ, fulfilling God's ancient promise to Abraham that "all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" ([Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "Genesis 12:3 - The Abrahamic Covenant")). The Spirit's outpouring on Gentiles is a tangible demonstration that Christ's salvation is truly universal, available to all who believe, regardless of their background, bringing them into the one body of Christ ([1 Corinthians 12:13](/1_corinthians/12-13 "1 Corinthians 12:13 - One Spirit, One Body")).

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

Acts 19:6

And when Paul had laid [his] hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Acts 2:4

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Mark 16:17

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

Acts 2:11

Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

1 Corinthians 14:20

Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

1 Corinthians 14:25

And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on [his] face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.