Acts 11:10

KJV

And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} this {G5124} was done {G1096}{G1909} three times {G5151}: and {G2532} all {G537} were drawn up {G385} again {G3825} into {G1519} heaven {G3772}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This happened three times, and then everything was pulled back up into heaven.

Berean Standard Bible

This happened three times, and everything was drawn back up into heaven.

American Standard Version

And this was done thrice: and all were drawn up again into heaven.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 11:10 concludes Peter's vivid recounting of his transformative vision in Joppa, a divine encounter foundational to the early church's understanding of Gentile inclusion. The verse, stating that the vision "was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven," powerfully emphasizes the undeniable clarity, divine origin, and profound significance of God's message, which directly led Peter to preach the Gospel to Cornelius and his household, ushering in a new era of universal salvation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Peter's defense before the apostles and brethren in Jerusalem, who were challenging his association with and eating alongside uncircumcised Gentiles, as recorded in [Acts 11:1-3](/acts/11-1-3 "Acts 11:1-3 - Peter's Defense Before the Apostles"). Peter's meticulous recounting of the entire sequence of events, beginning with his vision, serves as his primary justification. The vision itself, where a great sheet filled with diverse animals descended from heaven and a voice commanded him to "rise, Peter; kill and eat," is initially detailed in [Acts 10:9-16](/acts/10-9-16 "Acts 10:9-16 - Peter's Vision in Joppa"). The repetition of the sheet's descent and ascent, culminating in the "three times" mentioned in [Acts 11:10](/acts/11-10 "Acts 11:10 - The Threefold Repetition"), underscores that this was not a fleeting dream but a deliberate, heaven-sent instruction designed to challenge Peter's deeply ingrained Jewish customs and prepare him for God's broader, inclusive mission.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Peter, as a devout Jew, adhered strictly to the Mosaic Law, which included stringent dietary restrictions and prohibitions against associating with Gentiles, who were considered "unclean" or "common" ([Acts 10:28](/acts/10-28 "Acts 10:28 - Peter's Understanding of Jewish Law")). This cultural separation was deeply ingrained, fostering a sense of ethnic and religious superiority among many Jews. The early Christian community, largely Jewish at this point, inherited these customs. God's vision to Peter directly confronted these deeply held beliefs, preparing him to break social and religious barriers. The setting in Joppa, a coastal city, and then Caesarea, a Roman administrative center, highlights the geographical and cultural frontier where this theological breakthrough occurred, moving the Gospel beyond Jerusalem's Jewish confines.
* **Key Themes:** [Acts 11:10](/acts/11-10 "Acts 11:10 - Divine Confirmation") powerfully reinforces several major themes within Acts and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Emphasis and Clarity**, as the threefold repetition signifies God's absolute insistence and unmistakable communication regarding His message. This ensures Peter fully grasped that God was initiating something profoundly new and radical. Secondly, the verse contributes to the theme of **Overcoming Religious Prejudice**, as the core of the vision was to challenge Peter's deeply ingrained Jewish dietary laws and cultural separation from Gentiles, teaching him that what God had cleansed, no human should declare common or unclean ([Acts 10:15](/acts/10-15 "Acts 10:15 - God's Declaration of Cleansing")). Ultimately, the verse serves the overarching theme of **Gentile Inclusion**, preparing Peter and the early church for the full integration of non-Jews into the body of Christ, demonstrating that salvation was for all people, regardless of ethnic or cultural background, a truth echoed throughout the New Testament, particularly in Paul's teachings on unity in Christ ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - Unity in Christ")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **And (Greek, _dé'_):** This primary particle serves as a conjunction, often indicating a continuation or, in this context, a transition to the next significant detail in Peter's narrative. It connects the previous description of the vision to the crucial detail of its repetition, signaling a progression in the unfolding revelation.
* **was done (Greek, _gínomai'_):** This verb signifies "to come into being," "to happen," or "to be brought to pass." Its use here emphasizes the active, deliberate, and factual occurrence of the vision. It was not a mere thought or dream, but a divinely orchestrated event that definitively "happened" or "came to pass," reinforcing its reality and authority.
* **heaven (Greek, _ouranós'_):** This term refers to the sky or, by extension, the abode of God. The sheet's ascent "into heaven" signifies the divine origin and ultimate authority of the message. It underscores that the vision was not earthly or human in origin but came directly from God, and its conclusion involved a return to the divine realm, confirming its sacred and authoritative nature.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And this was done three times":** This clause highlights the crucial element of repetition. The phrase "this was done" refers to the entire sequence of the sheet descending, the divine command, and Peter's internal struggle. The explicit mention of "three times" is a powerful rhetorical device, emphasizing the divine insistence, clarity, and undeniable confirmation of the message. It leaves no room for Peter to doubt the vision's authenticity or its profound implications for his ministry.
* **"and all were drawn up again into heaven":** This second clause describes the conclusion of each repetition of the vision. The phrase "all were drawn up again" refers to the sheet with all its contents being lifted back up. The destination "into heaven" reinforces the divine source and ultimate authority of the revelation. This repeated ascent back to the heavenly realm signifies the completion and confirmation of the divine instruction, underscoring that the message was not to be forgotten or dismissed, but was a direct, authoritative word from God.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in [Acts 11:10](/acts/11-10 "Acts 11:10 - The Threefold Repetition") is **Repetition**. The explicit mention that the vision "was done three times" serves as a powerful rhetorical and theological emphasis. In biblical narratives, threefold repetition often signifies completeness, divine confirmation, or profound importance, ensuring that the message is fully grasped and its authority undeniable. This device underscores God's insistence and clarity regarding the radical message of Gentile inclusion, leaving no ambiguity for Peter or the Jerusalem church. Furthermore, there is an element of **Symbolism** present, where the descending sheet of "unclean" animals symbolizes the Gentiles whom God was now declaring "clean," and the repeated drawing up into heaven symbolizes the divine origin and ultimate validation of this new, inclusive covenant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 11:10 serves as a pivotal theological anchor, underscoring God's intentionality in dismantling human-made barriers to salvation. The threefold repetition of the vision is not merely a narrative detail but a divine pedagogical method, ensuring Peter's comprehension and acceptance of a radical shift in God's redemptive plan. It signifies God's absolute authority to redefine what is clean and unclean, thereby overturning centuries of Jewish custom and prejudice. This divine act prepares the way for the universal proclamation of the Gospel, demonstrating that God's grace extends beyond ethnic or cultural boundaries, welcoming all who believe into His family. The theological implication is profound: God's love and salvation are truly for "all," and human distinctions based on tradition or ethnicity are rendered obsolete in the light of His cleansing work.

* [Acts 10:15](/acts/10-15 "Acts 10:15 - God Cleanses All"): "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common."
* [John 21:15-17](/john/21-15-17 "John 21:15-17 - Jesus' Threefold Restoration of Peter"): Jesus' threefold questioning of Peter, mirroring the threefold denial, emphasizes restoration and a renewed commission.
* [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - Unity in Christ"): "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 11:10 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, reminding us that God often communicates His will with undeniable clarity, sometimes through repetition, to ensure our understanding and obedience. Just as Peter was challenged to overcome deeply ingrained cultural and religious biases, we too are called to critically examine our own hearts for any prejudices or preconceived notions that might hinder our ability to love, accept, and share the Gospel with all people whom God has embraced. This verse encourages a posture of openness to God's ongoing work, recognizing that He is always moving, often in ways that challenge our comfort zones or traditional understandings. True spiritual maturity involves being pliable in God's hands, willing to dismantle our own "unclean" categories and embrace His expansive, inclusive love. When God makes His will clear, even if it's uncomfortable or contrary to our established ways, our call is to obey, trusting that such obedience will lead to monumental shifts in reaching others for Christ, just as Peter's obedience led to the Holy Spirit falling on the Gentiles in [Acts 10:44-48](/acts/10-44-48 "Acts 10:44-48 - The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles").

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What deeply ingrained cultural or personal biases might be hindering my ability to fully embrace and minister to all people, regardless of their background?**
* **In what areas of my life or ministry might God be challenging my "clean" and "unclean" categories, asking me to expand my understanding of His will?**
* **How readily do I respond to clear divine instruction, especially when it requires me to step outside my comfort zone or challenge my traditions?**

### FAQ
**Why was Peter's vision repeated three times?**

Answer: The repetition of Peter's vision "three times" is a significant detail in biblical narrative, often signifying divine confirmation, completeness, or profound emphasis. In this context, it served several crucial purposes. Firstly, it ensured that Peter, who was deeply rooted in Jewish customs and dietary laws, fully grasped the radical nature of God's message: that what God had cleansed, no man should call common or unclean ([Acts 10:15](/acts/10-15 "Acts 10:15 - God Cleanses All")). The repetition removed any doubt about the vision's divine origin or its intended meaning. Secondly, it prepared Peter's heart and mind for the monumental task ahead – preaching the Gospel to the Gentile household of Cornelius. The threefold confirmation was necessary to overcome centuries of ingrained prejudice and tradition, making it undeniable that God was initiating a new era of Gentile inclusion into the body of Christ. This echoes other significant threefold repetitions in the Bible, such as Jesus asking Peter three times if he loved Him after Peter's three denials ([John 21:15-17](/john/21-15-17 "John 21:15-17 - Jesus' Threefold Restoration of Peter")), highlighting confirmation and restoration.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The threefold repetition of the vision in [Acts 11:10](/acts/11-10 "Acts 11:10 - The Threefold Repetition"), culminating in the sheet being drawn back into heaven, powerfully foreshadows and confirms the universal scope of salvation achieved through Christ. Before Christ, the ceremonial laws and dietary restrictions served as a "wall of partition" ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Breaks Down the Wall")) between Jew and Gentile. However, Jesus, through His atoning work on the cross, abolished these Old Covenant distinctions, making "one new man" out of the two ([Ephesians 2:15](/ephesians/2-15 "Ephesians 2:15 - One New Man in Christ")). Peter's vision, therefore, is a divine revelation of the practical implications of Christ's finished work: all people, regardless of their ethnic or cultural background, are now deemed "clean" and acceptable to God through faith in Jesus. The repeated ascent of the sheet into heaven signifies that this new reality is not a human invention but a divinely ordained truth, established by the very one who ascended to the Father ([Acts 1:9-11](/acts/1-9-11 "Acts 1:9-11 - Jesus' Ascension")). It is a testament to the New Covenant, where the old ceremonial laws are superseded by the spiritual reality of Christ's cleansing blood, making all who believe "holy and without blemish" before God ([Colossians 1:22](/colossians/1-22 "Colossians 1:22 - Reconciled by Christ")). Thus, [Acts 11:10](/acts/11-10 "Acts 11:10 - The Threefold Repetition") points directly to Christ as the ultimate cleanser and reconciler, fulfilling God's ancient promise to bless "all families of the earth" through Abraham's seed ([Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "Genesis 12:3 - Abrahamic Covenant")).

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

John 13:38

Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.

John 21:17

He saith unto him the third time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Numbers 24:10

¶ And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed [them] these three times.

2 Corinthians 12:8

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.