Acts 10:47

KJV

Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

KJV (with Strong's)

Can {G3385}{G1410} any man {G5100} forbid {G2967} water {G5204}, that these {G5128} should {G907} not {G3361} be baptized {G907}, which {G3748} have received {G2983} the Holy {G40} Ghost {G4151} as {G2532} well as {G2531} we {G2249}?

Complete Jewish Bible

“Is anyone prepared to prohibit these people from being immersed in water? After all, they have received the Ruach HaKodesh, just as we did.”

Berean Standard Bible

“Can anyone withhold the water to baptize these people? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have!”

American Standard Version

Can any man forbid the water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 10:47 captures a pivotal moment in the early Christian church, marking a significant step in the inclusion of Gentiles into the body of believers. Peter, observing the miraculous outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Cornelius's household, poses a rhetorical question that challenges the traditional Jewish understanding of salvation and membership in God's covenant people, affirming God's universal acceptance of all who believe, regardless of ethnic background or prior religious standing.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The preceding verses detail the astonishing event where the Holy Spirit falls upon Cornelius and his household *while Peter is still preaching* ([Acts 10:44-46](/acts/10-44-46 "The Holy Spirit Falls on Gentiles")). This spontaneous outpouring, evidenced by speaking in tongues and glorifying God, mirrors the Pentecost experience of the Jewish believers ([Acts 2:1-4](/acts/2-1-4 "The Day of Pentecost")). Peter's question in verse 47 directly addresses the implications of this undeniable divine act, making it impossible for any Jewish believer present to object to the Gentiles' water baptism, thus paving the way for the subsequent command to baptize them ([Acts 10:48](/acts/10-48 "Peter Commands Baptism")). This moment transitions the narrative from the initial Jewish focus of the early church to its expansion to the Gentiles, setting the stage for Paul's later missionary journeys.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Judaism was characterized by a strong sense of ethnic and religious distinctiveness, with strict adherence to Mosaic Law, including dietary laws and circumcision, which served as markers of covenant identity. Gentiles were considered "unclean" and outside the covenant people of Israel, requiring conversion to Judaism (including circumcision) to be fully accepted. Peter, as a devout Jew, initially shared these cultural biases, as evidenced by his vision in [Acts 10:9-16](/acts/10-9-16 "Peter's Vision of the Sheet"). The events at Cornelius's house, therefore, represented a profound cultural and theological paradigm shift, challenging centuries of tradition and demonstrating God's radical inclusivity that transcended the established social and religious boundaries between Jew and Gentile.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Acts. Firstly, it highlights the **Sovereignty and Initiative of the Holy Spirit**, demonstrating that God, through His Spirit, determines who is part of His covenant, not human tradition or prerequisite rituals. The Spirit's descent *before* water baptism underscores His primary role in salvation and inclusion. Secondly, it champions the **Inclusivity and Universality of the Gospel**, breaking down the "dividing wall of hostility" between Jew and Gentile ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Christ Breaks Down the Dividing Wall")). This event confirms that salvation and the blessings of the new covenant are available to all who believe, regardless of ethnic background or social status, fulfilling the promise to Abraham that "all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" ([Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "God's Promise to Abraham")). Finally, it underscores the **Subordination of Ritual to Spiritual Reality**, showing that while water baptism is an important act of obedience, it is a response to, rather than a prerequisite for, the reception of the Holy Spirit and divine acceptance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **forbid (Greek, _kōlýō'_):** From the base of *kolazō*, meaning "to estop, i.e., prevent (by word or act)." In this context, Peter is asking if anyone has the authority or justification to prevent these Gentiles from receiving water baptism, given God's clear prior approval through the Holy Spirit. It implies a challenge to human authority attempting to override divine action.
* **received (Greek, _lambánō'_):** A prolonged form of a primary verb, meaning "to take (in very many applications, literally and figuratively, properly objective or active, to get hold of)." This word emphasizes the active reception of the Holy Spirit by Cornelius's household, indicating a genuine, undeniable, and divinely initiated experience, not merely a passive observation.
* **as well as (Greek, _kathṓs kaí'_):** A combination of *kathos* ("just as") and *kai* ("and, also, even"). This phrase is crucial, drawing a direct parallel between the experience of Cornelius's household and that of the Jewish believers at Pentecost. It asserts an identical, undeniable spiritual reality, making any distinction based on ethnicity or prior religious status null and void for the purpose of full inclusion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Can any man forbid water":** Peter poses a rhetorical question, challenging anyone present to offer a legitimate reason to deny water baptism. The "water" refers to the medium for baptism, symbolizing the outward rite of initiation into the Christian community. The implied answer is a resounding "no," as no human authority can contradict God's clear action.
* **"that these should not be baptized":** This clause specifies the action being considered: the administration of water baptism. "These" refers directly to Cornelius and his household, the Gentiles who have just experienced the Holy Spirit's outpouring. The question highlights the absurdity of denying an outward sign to those who have already received the inward reality.
* **"which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?":** This is the foundational premise of Peter's argument. The reception of the Holy Spirit by the Gentiles, manifested in ways identical to the Jewish believers' experience at Pentecost, is presented as irrefutable evidence of God's acceptance. The phrase "as well as we" powerfully equates their spiritual standing with that of the apostles and other Jewish Christians, making any further distinction untenable.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Rhetorical Question** as its primary literary device. Peter's question, "Can any man forbid water...?", is not seeking information but rather making a forceful assertion. It challenges the listeners to consider the undeniable evidence of God's work and to recognize the logical conclusion: if God has accepted them by giving them the Holy Spirit, who are humans to object to their baptism? This device effectively silences potential opposition and compels agreement. Furthermore, there is an element of **Juxtaposition** between human tradition (which would forbid Gentile inclusion without prior conversion to Judaism) and divine action (the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on uncircumcised Gentiles). The verse also uses **Analogy** by drawing a direct parallel between the Gentile experience and the Jewish believers' experience ("as well as we"), thereby legitimizing the Gentiles' spiritual status.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 10:47 marks a pivotal moment in redemptive history, signifying the formal opening of the church to the Gentiles without requiring adherence to Mosaic Law, specifically circumcision. This event underscores the core New Testament truth that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works of the law or ethnic lineage ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Salvation by Grace Through Faith")). The Holy Spirit's descent on Cornelius's household before their water baptism powerfully demonstrates that spiritual regeneration and divine acceptance precede and validate outward rites. It reveals God's unreserved desire to include all humanity in His new covenant, breaking down the ancient barriers between Jew and Gentile and establishing the church as a truly global, multi-ethnic body united in Christ.

* [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Unity in Christ") - Emphasizes the spiritual equality of all believers in Christ, transcending ethnic, social, and gender distinctions.
* [Ephesians 2:11-18](/ephesians/2-11-18 "Christ Our Peace") - Describes how Christ has abolished the dividing wall of hostility between Jews and Gentiles, creating one new humanity.
* [Romans 10:12-13](/romans/10-12-13 "No Distinction Between Jew and Gentile") - Affirms that there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile, for the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 10:47 serves as a profound reminder that God's grace and redemptive plan extend far beyond human-made boundaries, traditions, or prejudices. It challenges believers today to examine their own biases and to embrace God's radical inclusivity, recognizing that the Holy Spirit works in diverse ways and among all peoples. Just as Peter had to overcome deeply ingrained cultural and religious norms, we are called to be flexible, open-minded, and obedient to the Spirit's leading, even when it pushes us out of our comfort zones or challenges our preconceived notions of who is "worthy" or "acceptable" to God. This verse compels us to celebrate the universal reach of the Gospel and to actively participate in welcoming all whom God has called into His family, ensuring that no human barrier hinders divine acceptance or the outward expression of faith through baptism.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What deeply ingrained biases or traditions might be hindering my willingness to embrace God's expansive grace for all people?**
* **How does the Holy Spirit's work in my life affirm God's acceptance, and how does that acceptance compel me to outward acts of obedience like baptism or service?**
* **In what ways can my church or community better reflect the radical inclusivity demonstrated in Acts 10:47, breaking down barriers and welcoming those whom God has clearly embraced?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the Holy Spirit falling on the Gentiles *before* their water baptism?**

Answer: The timing of the Holy Spirit's outpouring in [Acts 10:44-46](/acts/10-44-46 "The Holy Spirit Falls on Gentiles") is profoundly significant. It demonstrates that the reception of the Holy Spirit—the spiritual baptism—is God's sovereign act of salvation and inclusion, not contingent upon human rituals or ethnic background. This event unequivocally validated the Gentiles' new spiritual status in God's eyes, making it clear that they were fully accepted members of the new covenant community *before* any outward rite. Water baptism then became a public declaration and an act of obedience to Christ's command ([Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "The Great Commission")), rather than a prerequisite for salvation or for receiving the Spirit. It underscores that the Holy Spirit is the true seal of God's covenant, and human actions or traditions cannot negate divine approval.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 10:47, while focusing on the inclusion of Gentiles, ultimately finds its Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. 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 "Christ Our Peace")). Jesus is the ultimate "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")), making salvation accessible to all who believe, regardless of their background. The Holy Spirit, whose outpouring is central to Acts 10:47, is the Spirit of Christ ([Romans 8:9](/romans/8-9 "Spirit of Christ")), poured out by the ascended Lord as a sign of the new covenant and a down payment of our inheritance ([Ephesians 1:13-14](/ephesians/1-13-14 "Sealed with the Holy Spirit")). Thus, the inclusion of Gentiles, validated by the Spirit's presence, is a direct consequence of Christ's finished work, demonstrating that in Him, there is "neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Unity in Christ")). This verse, therefore, is a powerful testament to the universal scope of Christ's redemption, inviting all people into the family of God through faith in Him.

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 8:36

And as they went on [their] way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, [here is] water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

Romans 10:12

¶ For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

Acts 11:15

And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.

Acts 11:17

Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as [he did] unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?

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.

Genesis 17:24

And Abraham [was] ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.