Acts 10:6

KJV

He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

KJV (with Strong's)

He {G3778} lodgeth {G3579} with {G3844} one {G5100} Simon {G4613} a tanner {G1038}, whose {G3739} house {G3614} is {G2076} by {G3844} the sea side {G2281}: he {G3778} shall tell {G2980} thee {G4671} what {G5101} thou {G4571} oughtest {G1163} to do {G4160}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He’s staying with Shim‘on the leather-tanner, who has a house by the sea.”

Berean Standard Bible

He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.”

American Standard Version

he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 10:6 records the precise divine instruction given to Cornelius by an angel, directing him to send for Simon Peter, who is lodging with Simon, a tanner, in Joppa. This seemingly minor detail—the specific host and his profession—is profoundly significant, subtly preparing both Peter and the reader for the radical breaking down of traditional Jewish ceremonial barriers and the momentous inclusion of Gentiles into the nascent Christian community, signaling God's impartial grace and meticulous guidance in the unfolding of His redemptive plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 10 opens with Cornelius, a devout Roman centurion, experiencing a vision where an angel instructs him to send for Peter. Simultaneously, Peter, in Joppa, receives a vision of a sheet descending with all kinds of unclean animals, accompanied by a voice commanding him to "kill and eat" ([Acts 10:13](/acts/10-13 "Acts 10:13 - Peter's Vision")). This dual divine encounter—Cornelius's vision and Peter's subsequent, challenging vision—is meticulously orchestrated by God to bring about the gospel's expansion to the Gentiles. Verse 6 provides the crucial logistical detail for Cornelius's messengers, ensuring they find Peter, while simultaneously setting the stage for Peter's encounter with the "unclean" and his eventual understanding that God shows no partiality ([Acts 10:34](/acts/10-34 "Acts 10:34 - God Shows No Partiality")). The narrative then seamlessly transitions from the angelic command to Cornelius's immediate obedience, underscoring the divine impetus behind this pivotal event.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Joppa (modern-day Jaffa) was a significant port city on the Mediterranean coast, a hub of trade and diverse populations. The profession of a tanner (working with animal hides) was considered ritually unclean by Jewish law, primarily due to its association with dead animals and the unpleasant odors involved. Tanners often lived and worked outside city walls to avoid defiling others and to manage the smell. For a devout Jew like Peter to lodge in a tanner's house was highly unconventional and would have been viewed with suspicion by strict observers of Jewish purity laws. This cultural detail is not incidental; it highlights the depth of Peter's forthcoming spiritual transformation regarding ceremonial purity and God's acceptance of all people, regardless of their background or previous ritual status. The fact that Peter was already in such a setting suggests a divine preparation for the radical shift in his understanding.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, though brief, contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Acts. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Specificity and Guidance**, demonstrating God's meticulous care in orchestrating events and providing precise instructions to His servants, ensuring His will is accomplished. The exact address and host are given to Cornelius, mirroring the detailed guidance often found throughout salvation history. Secondly, it powerfully introduces the theme of **Challenging Preconceptions and Overcoming Barriers**. Peter's lodging with a tanner immediately signals a challenge to traditional Jewish notions of ritual purity, setting the stage for his vision in [Acts 10:9-16](/acts/10-9-16 "Acts 10:9-16 - Peter's Vision of the Sheet") and his subsequent realization that God has declared all people clean ([Acts 10:28](/acts/10-28 "Acts 10:28 - Peter's Realization")). Finally, it serves as a crucial point in the theme of **Preparation for Gentile Inclusion**, signaling the imminent expansion of the gospel beyond its Jewish origins. This "unclean" setting for Peter foreshadows the momentous event of the Holy Spirit falling upon Gentiles, marking a new phase in the church's mission and fulfilling the Great Commission's global scope ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **lodgeth (Greek, _xenízō'_):** From G3579, meaning "to be a host (passively, a guest); by implication, be (make, appear) strange." This word highlights Peter's status as a guest, but also subtly hints at the "strangeness" or unconventional nature of his lodging. For Peter, a Jew, to be a guest in a tanner's house would indeed be considered strange or unusual, setting the stage for the breaking of traditional Jewish purity laws.
* **tanner (Greek, _byrseús'_):** From G1038, derived from "a hide," meaning "a tanner." This specific profession is key. Tanners dealt with dead animal hides, a trade that rendered them ritually unclean according to Mosaic Law (e.g., [Leviticus 11:39-40](/leviticus/11-39-40 "Leviticus 11:39-40 - Laws of Uncleanness")). The mention of "a tanner" immediately signals a violation of strict Jewish purity norms, underscoring the radical nature of Peter's presence there and foreshadowing the theological shift regarding clean and unclean that God is about to reveal to him.
* **oughtest to do (Greek, _deî_ G1163, _poiéō_ G4160):** The phrase combines `deî` (G1163), meaning "it is necessary (as binding), ought, should," with `poiéō` (G4160), meaning "to make or do." This combination emphasizes the divine imperative and the specific, necessary action Peter is to convey to Cornelius. The angel's instruction is not merely suggestive but carries the weight of divine command, indicating that what Peter will tell Cornelius is not his own opinion but God's revealed will, essential for Cornelius's spiritual direction and salvation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner":** This clause provides the precise, actionable information for Cornelius's messengers. The identification of the host as "Simon" (distinguishing him from Peter, who is also Simon) and his profession as "a tanner" is crucial. The detail about the tanner immediately introduces a layer of cultural and religious tension, as Peter, a devout Jew, is found in a ritually compromising situation, subtly preparing the reader for the radical inclusivity God is about to demonstrate.
* **"whose house is by the sea side":** This detail offers further geographical specificity, making it easier for Cornelius's men to locate the house in Joppa. Beyond mere navigation, the "sea side" location might also subtly evoke the vastness of the sea, hinting at the boundless reach of the gospel to all nations, as well as the maritime trade that would have brought diverse peoples to Joppa.
* **"he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do":** This final clause establishes Peter's authoritative role as God's chosen messenger. The angel explicitly states that Peter will provide the necessary divine instruction for Cornelius. This highlights the importance of human agency in God's plan, where divine revelation is mediated through chosen individuals to bring about salvation and spiritual guidance. It underscores the purpose of Cornelius's sending for Peter: to receive specific, life-altering instruction from God.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Divine Specificity** is paramount, as the angel provides extremely precise details—Peter's host, his profession, and the location of the house—underscoring God's meticulous involvement in human affairs and His sovereign orchestration of events. This precision ensures the divine plan unfolds without error. **Foreshadowing** is powerfully used through the mention of "Simon a tanner." This seemingly minor detail subtly but profoundly prepares the reader for the radical theological shift that is about to occur concerning Jewish purity laws and Gentile inclusion. Peter's presence in such a ritually "unclean" setting anticipates his vision of the sheet and his subsequent understanding that God has cleansed all things and all people. This detail also functions as **Symbolism**, where the tanner's house, a place of ritual impurity, becomes the unlikely setting for a breakthrough in God's redemptive plan, symbolizing the breaking down of barriers and the extension of grace to those previously considered outside the covenant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 10:6 is a pivotal verse that underscores God's meticulous providence and His radical inclusivity, demonstrating that His redemptive plan extends beyond ethnic and cultural boundaries. The divine instruction to Cornelius, specifying Peter's lodging with a tanner, reveals God's active hand in orchestrating the encounter that would dismantle centuries of religious and social separation between Jews and Gentiles. It highlights that God often uses unconventional means and challenges human preconceptions to achieve His purposes, preparing His servants for new revelations of His will. This moment is a crucial step in the unfolding of the Great Commission, demonstrating that God's grace and the offer of salvation are for all who believe, regardless of their background or previous ritual status.

* [Acts 10:28](/acts/10-28 "Acts 10:28 - Peter's Realization of God's Impartiality")
* [Acts 11:18](/acts/11-18 "Acts 11:18 - Gentile Repentance Leading to Life")
* [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - Unity in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 10:6 serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereign and detailed guidance in our lives. Just as He gave precise instructions to Cornelius, He often provides clear direction when we seek His will, sometimes through unexpected channels or seemingly insignificant details. This verse challenges us to cultivate a posture of obedience and openness to God's leading, even when His path takes us outside our comfort zones or challenges our preconceived notions of what is "proper" or "clean." Peter's willingness to lodge with a tanner, though perhaps initially unsettling, positioned him to receive a profound revelation about God's impartial love for all humanity. This calls us to examine our own biases and prejudices, asking if we are inadvertently limiting God's work by clinging to traditions or social norms that hinder the spread of His inclusive grace. We are encouraged to step out in faith, trusting that God's specific instructions are always for our good and for the advancement of His kingdom, even if it means engaging with people or situations we might typically avoid.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might God be calling me to step outside my comfort zone or challenge my preconceived notions, much like Peter lodging with a tanner?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater sensitivity to God's specific guidance in my daily life, recognizing that even small details can be part of His larger plan?**
* **Are there any "unclean" or "unconventional" people or places God might be calling me to engage with, to share the inclusive message of the gospel?**

### FAQ
**Why was it significant that Peter was staying with a tanner?**

Answer: The significance lies in Jewish purity laws. Tanners worked with dead animal hides, a profession that rendered them ritually unclean according to Mosaic Law (e.g., [Leviticus 11:39-40](/leviticus/11-39-40 "Leviticus 11:39-40 - Laws of Uncleanness")). For a devout Jew like Peter, lodging in a tanner's house was highly unconventional and would have been considered a violation of strict purity norms. This detail immediately signals a challenge to traditional Jewish understanding of clean and unclean, setting the stage for Peter's vision in [Acts 10:9-16](/acts/10-9-16 "Acts 10:9-16 - Peter's Vision of the Sheet") and his subsequent realization that God shows no partiality and has declared all people clean ([Acts 10:28](/acts/10-28 "Acts 10:28 - Peter's Realization")). It foreshadows the momentous inclusion of Gentiles into the Christian community.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 10:6, by detailing Peter's lodging with a tanner, powerfully foreshadows the radical inclusivity of the gospel, which finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. The "unclean" setting for Peter directly prefigures the breaking down of the ceremonial law and the barriers it created, a work fully accomplished by Jesus Christ. Through His death on the cross, Christ "abolished the law of commandments expressed in ordinances" ([Ephesians 2:15](/ephesians/2-15 "Ephesians 2:15 - Christ Abolishes the Law")), creating "one new humanity in place of the two" (Jew and Gentile). The specific instruction for Peter to go to a tanner's house, a place of ritual impurity, underscores that Christ's atoning work cleanses not only individuals but also breaks down the very categories of "clean" and "unclean" that separated people. Just as the angel directs Cornelius to Peter, who will declare "what thou oughtest to do," Christ is the ultimate revelator of God's will and the means by which all, Jew and Gentile, are brought near to God. His sacrifice makes it possible for those once far off to be brought into the household of God, demonstrating that 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" ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - Unity in Christ")). This verse, therefore, points to the universal scope of Christ's redemptive work, making a way for all nations to come to Him for salvation and spiritual direction.

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 9:43

And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

Acts 11:13

And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;

Acts 11:14

Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

John 7:17

If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or [whether] I speak of myself.

Romans 10:14

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

Romans 10:17

So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Acts 9:6

And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord [said] unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.