Acts 10:5

KJV

And now send men to Joppa, and call for [one] Simon, whose surname is Peter:

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} now {G3568} send {G3992} men {G435} to {G1519} Joppa {G2445}, and {G2532} call for {G3343} one Simon {G4613}, whose {G3739} surname is {G1941} Peter {G4074}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Now send some men to Yafo to bring back a man named Shim‘on, also called Kefa.

Berean Standard Bible

Now send men to Joppa to call for a man named Simon who is called Peter.

American Standard Version

And now send men to Joppa, and fetch one Simon, who is surnamed Peter:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 10:5 records the pivotal divine instruction given to Cornelius, a devout Roman centurion in Caesarea, to send messengers to Joppa and summon Simon, also known as Peter. This command, delivered by an angel, initiates a series of events orchestrated by God to break down deeply entrenched cultural and religious barriers between Jews and Gentiles, paving the way for the full inclusion of non-Jews into the nascent Christian community and demonstrating the universal scope of God's redemptive plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a direct command following a profound vision experienced by Cornelius, detailed in [Acts 10:1-4](/acts/10-1-4 "Acts 10:1-4 - Cornelius's Vision"). Cornelius, a God-fearing Gentile, is told by an angel that his prayers and alms have been remembered by God, and he is then explicitly directed to send for Peter. This divine directive sets in motion the narrative arc of [Acts 10](/acts/10 "Acts 10 - Peter and Cornelius"), leading to Peter's own transformative vision regarding clean and unclean foods (Acts 10:9-16), his subsequent journey to Caesarea, and ultimately, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Cornelius's household, marking the first significant Gentile conversion without requiring prior Jewish proselytization. The immediate narrative flow highlights God's active orchestration, moving both a devout Gentile and a reluctant Jewish apostle towards an encounter that will redefine the boundaries of the early church.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting is first-century Judea, a Roman province, where deep-seated animosity and strict social and religious separation existed between Jews and Gentiles. Jewish law and custom forbade close association, dining, or entering the homes of Gentiles, who were considered unclean. Caesarea, where Cornelius resided, was the Roman administrative capital of Judea, a cosmopolitan city with a significant Gentile population, including Roman military personnel. Joppa, a coastal port city to the south, was predominantly Jewish, and it was here that Peter was staying with Simon the tanner, a profession considered somewhat ritually impure by some Jews due to its association with dead animals. The command for a Jew like Peter to enter a Gentile home was a radical departure from established norms, underscoring the revolutionary nature of God's inclusive design. This cultural divide made the divine intervention necessary to overcome human prejudice and tradition.
* **Key Themes:** [Acts 10:5](/acts/10-5 "Acts 10:5 - The Command to Send for Peter") powerfully contributes to several major theological and narrative themes within the book of Acts and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Initiative and Guidance**, demonstrating God's active and sovereign involvement in directing the spread of the Gospel, not leaving it to human strategy alone. The angel's appearance and specific instructions leave no doubt that this mission is divinely appointed. Secondly, it is foundational to the theme of **Breaking Barriers** between Jews and Gentiles, a central concern in Acts. This verse directly foreshadows the momentous expansion of the Gospel beyond its Jewish origins, illustrating that God's salvation is for "everyone who believes" ([Romans 10:12](/romans/10-12 "Romans 10:12 - No Distinction Between Jew and Greek")). Finally, it highlights the theme of **Obedience to Divine Command**, as both Cornelius and Peter (after his own vision) demonstrate willingness to follow God's seemingly unconventional instructions, leading to a profound spiritual breakthrough for the early church.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **send (Greek, _pémpō'_):** This word (G3992) signifies to dispatch, especially on a temporary errand, or to transmit. Here, it conveys a direct, authoritative command for Cornelius to initiate action. It's not merely a suggestion but an imperative to dispatch men with a specific purpose, highlighting the immediacy and importance of the divine instruction.
* **call for (Greek, _metapémpō'_):** Derived from _metá_ (with, after) and _pémpō_ (to send), this term (G3343) means to send from elsewhere, implying to summon or invite. The angel's instruction is precise: Peter is not just to be found, but specifically summoned, indicating that his presence is crucial and divinely ordained for the unfolding events.
* **Peter (Greek, _Pétros'_):** This name (G4074), meaning "a piece of rock" or "stone," was given to Simon by Jesus himself (cf. [Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Peter, the Rock")). Its inclusion here, alongside "Simon," serves to clearly identify the specific apostle required for this mission. The name "Peter" also subtly alludes to his foundational role in the early church, and here, specifically, in opening the door of faith to the Gentiles.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And now send men to Joppa,"**: The conjunction "And now" emphasizes the immediate and urgent nature of the divine command, following the angel's initial message to Cornelius. The instruction is precise: "send men," indicating a delegation, and "to Joppa," providing the exact geographical destination. This highlights God's meticulous planning and direct intervention in human affairs.
* **"and call for [one] Simon,"**: This clause specifies the individual to be summoned. The angel provides the common Hebrew name "Simon," ensuring that Cornelius's messengers would know precisely whom to seek. The act of "calling for" (summoning) underscores the importance of Peter's presence and the divine authority behind the request.
* **"whose surname is Peter:"**: This final phrase provides the definitive identifier for Simon, distinguishing him from others named Simon and confirming his identity as the prominent apostle. The surname "Peter" (Greek for "rock") links him directly to his calling by Jesus and his foundational role in the early church, setting the stage for his crucial role in the expansion of the Gospel to the Gentiles.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Divine Command** is central, as the angel's direct instruction to Cornelius leaves no room for ambiguity, emphasizing God's active orchestration of events. This command also serves as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the momentous events that will follow—Peter's own vision, his encounter with Cornelius, and the subsequent baptism of Gentiles into the Christian faith, which will fundamentally reshape the early church. There is also an element of **Dramatic Irony**, as the audience is aware of God's overarching plan for Gentile inclusion, while Peter, the key human agent, is still bound by traditional Jewish customs and will require his own divine revelation to fully grasp the implications of this command. The precise naming ("Simon, whose surname is Peter") also functions as **Identification**, ensuring the correct apostle is sought for this pivotal mission.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 10:5 is a critical juncture in the narrative of salvation history, illustrating God's unwavering commitment to His universal plan of redemption. Theologically, it underscores God's sovereignty and initiative in expanding His kingdom beyond ethnic and cultural boundaries. It reveals that God is not confined by human traditions or prejudices, but actively works to break down walls of division, demonstrating that His grace extends to all who fear Him and work righteousness, regardless of their background. This verse sets the stage for the New Testament's profound teaching on the unity of believers in Christ, where distinctions of ethnicity or social status become secondary to one's identity in Him.

* [Acts 11:18](/acts/11-18 "God Granted Repentance to Gentiles"): After Peter recounts the events to the apostles and believers in Jerusalem, they glorify God, acknowledging that "then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life."
* [Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Christ Our Peace, Breaking Down Walls"): Paul explains how Christ "is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility... that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two."
* [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "No Jew or Gentile in Christ"): "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 10:5 serves as a powerful reminder that God often works in unexpected ways, using ordinary people and seemingly simple instructions to accomplish extraordinary purposes. For believers today, this verse encourages a posture of radical openness and obedience to God's leading, even when His directions challenge our preconceived notions, cultural norms, or personal comfort zones. Just as Cornelius was prepared through his devotion and Peter through his subsequent vision, God prepares hearts on both sides of a divine encounter. We are called to recognize that God's love and salvation are truly for all people, transcending every human-made barrier. This should motivate us to actively seek and embrace opportunities to share the Gospel inclusively, breaking down any walls of prejudice or exclusion that might exist within our own hearts or communities, and trusting that God will orchestrate the encounters necessary to fulfill His global mission.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might God be calling me to step out of my comfort zone or challenge my preconceived notions, much like He did with Peter?**
* **How does the story of Cornelius and Peter challenge my own biases or assumptions about who is "worthy" or "ready" to hear the Gospel?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a heart that is more open and obedient to God's unexpected leading in my daily life?**

### FAQ
**Why was Peter specifically chosen for this mission to Cornelius?**

Answer: Peter was chosen for this mission due to his unique apostolic authority and his foundational role in the early church, as designated by Jesus himself (cf. [Matthew 16:18-19](/matthew/16-18-19 "The Keys of the Kingdom")). God orchestrated this encounter to provide undeniable apostolic witness to the inclusion of Gentiles, ensuring that this momentous shift in the church's mission was affirmed by a leading apostle. Peter's personal transformation through his own vision (Acts 10:9-16) was essential for him to overcome his Jewish cultural prejudices and fully embrace God's inclusive plan, thus serving as a powerful example for other Jewish believers.

**What was the significance of Joppa in this context?**

Answer: Joppa was a significant port city on the Mediterranean coast and a predominantly Jewish settlement. Peter was staying there at the house of Simon the tanner (Acts 9:43), a detail that itself subtly hints at Peter's growing openness, as tanners dealt with animal hides and were often considered ritually unclean by strict Jews. God's specific instruction to send to Joppa, rather than having Peter come directly to Caesarea, highlights divine precision and provides the context for Peter's preparatory vision, which occurred while he was in Joppa. This location facilitated the necessary spiritual preparation for Peter before his encounter with Cornelius.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 10:5, while a command given to Cornelius, profoundly points to the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The very act of God initiating the connection between a devout Gentile and a leading Jewish apostle underscores the universal scope of salvation achieved through Jesus Christ. Before Christ, the "dividing wall of hostility" ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Christ Our Peace")) separated Jew and Gentile, but through His sacrificial death, Jesus "abolished the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace" ([Ephesians 2:15](/ephesians/2-15 "One New Man in Christ")). The command to send for Peter is a practical outworking of the Great Commission, given by Christ to "make disciples of all nations" ([Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "The Great Commission")), demonstrating that Christ's atoning work extends to "whoever believes in him" ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "God So Loved the World")). This verse is a crucial step in revealing that the "mystery" of the gospel—that "the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel" ([Ephesians 3:6](/ephesians/3-6 "The Mystery of the Gospel"))—is now being unveiled through the power of the Holy Spirit, all rooted in the inclusive love and redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

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 16:9

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

Acts 15:7

And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men [and] brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

Acts 9:36

¶ Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

Mark 3:16

And Simon he surnamed Peter;

John 1:42

And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

Acts 10:32

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.

Acts 9:38

And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring [him] that he would not delay to come to them.