Acts 10:5

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

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}:

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

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

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

Context of Acts 10:5

The book of Acts chronicles the early church's growth and the spread of the Gospel. Acts 10 marks a pivotal turning point, initiating the inclusion of Gentiles into the Christian faith. This specific verse, "And now send men to Joppa, and call for [one] Simon, whose surname is Peter," is a direct divine instruction given to Cornelius, a devout Roman centurion living in Caesarea. Earlier in the chapter, Cornelius had a divine vision experienced by Cornelius where an angel of God appeared to him, affirming his prayers and alms, and then commanded him to send for Peter. This command sets in motion a crucial series of events that will break down long-standing cultural and religious barriers between Jews and Gentiles, demonstrating God's inclusive plan for salvation.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Initiative and Guidance: This verse clearly highlights God's active involvement in directing human affairs. It's God who initiates the contact between Cornelius and Peter, not human planning. This underscores His sovereignty in expanding His kingdom.
  • Breaking Barriers: The instruction to send for Peter, a Jew, to meet with Cornelius, a Gentile, is foundational to the gospel's expansion beyond Jewish boundaries. It foreshadows the gospel being extended to the Gentiles without requiring them to become Jewish proselytes first.
  • Obedience to Divine Command: Cornelius's immediate response to this instruction demonstrates his devout character and willingness to obey God's specific directions, even when they seem unusual.

Linguistic Insights

The verse refers to "Simon, whose surname is Peter." The name Simon is Hebrew, meaning "he has heard." His surname, Peter, is from the Greek word Petros (Πέτρος), meaning "rock" or "stone." This name was given to him by Jesus himself, as recorded in Matthew 16:18, signifying his foundational role in the early church. The mention of both names here serves to clearly identify the apostle, ensuring Cornelius's messengers would find the correct person.

Practical Application

Acts 10:5 reminds us that God often orchestrates encounters and opens doors in unexpected ways to fulfill His purposes. For believers today, this verse encourages:

  • Openness to God's Direction: Be ready to follow divine leading, even when it involves stepping out of your comfort zone or traditional boundaries.
  • God's Inclusive Love: Remember that God's love and salvation plan are for all people, regardless of background, ethnicity, or social status. This calls us to embrace and share the Gospel broadly.
  • The Importance of Preparation: Just as Cornelius was prepared through prayer and alms, and Peter was prepared through his own preparatory vision regarding clean and unclean animals, God often prepares hearts on both sides for divine appointments.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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