Acts 11:13

KJV

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;

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G5037} he shewed {G518} us {G2254} how {G4459} he had seen {G1492} an angel {G32} in {G1722} his {G846} house {G3624}, which stood {G2476} and {G2532} said {G2036} unto him {G846}, Send {G649} men {G435} to {G1519} Joppa {G2445}, and {G2532} call for {G3343} Simon {G4613}, whose surname is {G1941} Peter {G4074};

Complete Jewish Bible

He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Yafo and bring back Shim‘on, known as Kefa.

Berean Standard Bible

He told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter.

American Standard Version

and he told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, Send to Joppa, and fetch Simon, whose surname is Peter;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 11:13 records Peter's recounting of Cornelius's angelic vision to the Jerusalem church, a pivotal moment in his defense for having associated with and preached the Gospel to Gentiles. This verse specifically details the angel's instruction to Cornelius to send for Simon Peter, thereby initiating the divine chain of events that led to the first Gentile conversions and the subsequent theological debate within the early Christian community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 11:13 is embedded within Peter's comprehensive defense before the apostles and brethren in Jerusalem, who had criticized him for eating with uncircumcised men, a significant transgression of Jewish custom for a devout Jew like Peter ([Acts 11:3](/acts/11-3 "Acts 11:3 - Peter Criticized for Gentile Association")). To justify his actions, Peter systematically narrates the entire sequence of events from Caesarea, beginning with Cornelius's divine encounter. This verse serves as a crucial piece of evidence, directly quoting Cornelius's testimony about the angel's explicit command, which underscores the divine initiative behind Peter's controversial visit. The full narrative of Cornelius's conversion and Peter's parallel vision is detailed in [Acts chapter 10](/acts/10 "Acts 10 - Cornelius's Vision and Peter's Call to Gentiles"), with the angel's initial appearance to Cornelius recorded in [Acts 10:3-6](/acts/10-3-6 "Acts 10:3-6 - Cornelius's Angelic Vision"). Peter's detailed recounting in Acts 11 mirrors the events of Acts 10, providing a powerful, firsthand account that ultimately silences his critics.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early church, largely composed of Jewish believers, operated within a deeply ingrained cultural and religious framework that emphasized the separation between Jews and Gentiles. Jewish law and custom forbade close association, especially sharing meals, with Gentiles, as they were considered ritually unclean. Cornelius, a Roman centurion, represented the epitome of a Gentile outsider. For Peter, a devout Jew and apostle, to enter a Gentile's house and eat with him was an act that challenged centuries of tradition and religious purity laws. The divine intervention via an angel, as recounted in this verse, was therefore not merely a guiding instruction but a necessary, authoritative mandate from God Himself to bridge this profound divide. This event took place in Joppa and Caesarea, coastal cities that were more cosmopolitan than Jerusalem, yet the cultural barriers remained formidable.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 11:13 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Acts. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Guidance**, demonstrating God's active and direct involvement in directing human affairs and expanding His kingdom. The angel's appearance and explicit instructions leave no doubt about God's initiative. Secondly, the verse highlights the theme of **Breaking Barriers** and the **Inclusion of Gentiles** into the nascent Christian community. The command for Peter, a Jew, to go to Cornelius, a Gentile, directly challenges the prevailing Jewish-Gentile divide, foreshadowing the universal reach of the Gospel. This aligns with Peter's later declaration that [God shows no partiality](/acts/10-34 "Acts 10:34 - God Shows No Partiality"). Thirdly, it underscores the theme of **Obedience to God's Call**. Both Cornelius and Peter exemplify prompt and decisive obedience to divine instruction, even when such obedience required them to transcend deeply held cultural norms and personal prejudices, paving the way for the Gospel's spread beyond Jewish confines.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **shewed (Greek, _apangéllō'_):** This verb (G518) means "to announce," "declare," "report," or "tell." In this context, it emphasizes that Cornelius did not merely mention the angel but gave a detailed, clear, and comprehensive account of the vision and the instructions he received. This thorough reporting was crucial for Peter's defense, lending credibility and weight to the extraordinary events.
* **angel (Greek, _ángelos'_):** The Greek word (G32) primarily means "messenger." While it often refers to celestial beings, its core meaning highlights its function: to convey a message. Here, the angel serves as a direct divine communicator, emphasizing that the instructions given to Cornelius were not of human origin but came directly from God, lending them undeniable authority.
* **stood (Greek, _hístēmi'_):** This verb (G2476) means "to stand" or "to be present." The angel "stood" implies a clear, authoritative, and visible presence within Cornelius's house. It suggests a tangible manifestation, not merely a fleeting thought or impression, thereby reinforcing the reality and impact of the divine encounter.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house,"**: This clause establishes the source and nature of the revelation. "He" refers to Cornelius, who is recounting his experience to Peter and his companions. The phrase "shewed us" (from Greek _apangéllō_) suggests a detailed narration, not just a casual mention. The location, "in his house," emphasizes the personal and private nature of this divine encounter, making it a direct revelation to Cornelius in his own domestic space. The seeing of an "angel" signifies a direct, supernatural intervention from God.
* **"which stood and said unto him,"**: This describes the angel's posture and action. The angel "stood," indicating a clear, authoritative, and perhaps imposing presence, not a fleeting apparition. The subsequent "said unto him" highlights the verbal and explicit nature of the divine message, leaving no room for misinterpretation regarding the instructions that followed.
* **"Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;"**: This is the specific divine command delivered by the angel. It provides precise instructions for Cornelius to take action: "Send men" (indicating immediate dispatch) to a specific location, "Joppa," and to "call for" a specific individual, "Simon, whose surname is Peter." This specificity underscores God's meticulous planning and His direct orchestration of the meeting between a Gentile seeker and a Jewish apostle, setting the stage for the Gospel's expansion.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. **Narrative Repetition** is a prominent device, as Peter's recounting of Cornelius's vision in Acts 11:13-14 directly reiterates the events first detailed in [Acts 10:3-6](/acts/10-3-6 "Acts 10:3-6 - Cornelius's Vision"). This repetition serves to validate the extraordinary nature of the events, provide a comprehensive defense for Peter's actions, and emphasize the divine mandate behind the Gentile conversions. The angel itself functions as a powerful **Symbol** of **Divine Intervention**, representing God's direct communication and active orchestration of human affairs. The angel's explicit instructions to "Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter" demonstrate **Direct Discourse**, lending immediacy and authority to the divine command. Furthermore, the entire narrative arc, from Cornelius's vision to Peter's subsequent actions, serves as **Foreshadowing** for the future inclusion of Gentiles into the Christian church, a theme that will become central to the mission of Paul and the broader expansion of Christianity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 11:13 is a crucial link in the theological chain demonstrating God's sovereign plan to extend salvation beyond the confines of Judaism to the Gentile world. The angelic visitation to Cornelius signifies that God's initiative in evangelism is not limited by human prejudice or cultural barriers. It underscores the profound truth that God is impartial, actively seeking to draw all people to Himself. This divine orchestration, where a Gentile is given a direct heavenly message to summon a Jewish apostle, profoundly challenges the early church's ethnocentric assumptions and paves the way for a truly universal Gospel. It highlights that God's plan of salvation is expansive, embracing all who believe, regardless of their ethnic or social background.

* [Acts 10:34-35](/acts/10-34-35 "Acts 10:34-35 - God Shows No Partiality"): "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him."
* [Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace"): "For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:"
* [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - No Jew or Gentile 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
The recounting of Cornelius's vision in Acts 11:13 serves as a powerful reminder of God's active involvement in the lives of individuals and His strategic direction in the expansion of His kingdom. It challenges us to cultivate a posture of attentiveness to divine guidance, recognizing that God often works through unexpected means and across traditional boundaries. Just as Cornelius was prepared to receive a message from an angel, and Peter was willing to step outside his cultural comfort zone, we too are called to be open to God's leading, even when it requires us to re-evaluate our preconceived notions or engage with those we might typically avoid. This passage encourages us to embrace God's heart for all humanity, actively participating in His mission to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to every person, regardless of their background. It compels us to consider how our own cultural or personal biases might hinder God's work and to seek His wisdom in overcoming them, always ready to respond with prompt obedience to His revealed will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might God be calling you to step outside your comfort zone, similar to Peter's call to enter a Gentile's home?**
* **How can you cultivate a greater attentiveness to God's guidance, whether through Scripture, prayer, or the counsel of others, as demonstrated by Cornelius's readiness to receive an angelic message?**
* **What cultural or social barriers might exist in your context that hinder the full expression of the Gospel's universal reach, and how might God be calling you to help break them down?**
* **How does the detailed recounting of the vision in this passage encourage you to share your own testimonies of God's work with clarity and conviction?**

### FAQ
**Why was it necessary for Peter to recount Cornelius's vision in such detail to the Jerusalem church?**

Answer: Peter's detailed recounting of Cornelius's vision, as highlighted in [Acts 11:13](/acts/11-13 "Acts 11:13 - Peter Recounts Cornelius's Vision"), was absolutely crucial because he was facing severe criticism from "those of the circumcision" ([Acts 11:2-3](/acts/11-2-3 "Acts 11:2-3 - Peter's Critics")) for associating with and eating with uncircumcised Gentiles. Jewish law and custom strictly forbade such interactions, as they were considered defiling. Peter needed to provide irrefutable evidence that his actions were not a personal choice or a deviation from God's will, but rather a direct command from God Himself. By relaying Cornelius's angelic encounter, Peter demonstrated that God had initiated this groundbreaking move toward Gentile inclusion, thereby validating his own obedience and the divine legitimacy of the Gentile conversions.

**What was the significance of the angel specifying "Simon, whose surname is Peter" and the location "Joppa"?**

Answer: The specificity of the angel's instructions—naming "Simon, whose surname is Peter" and the city "Joppa" ([Acts 11:13](/acts/11-13 "Acts 11:13 - Angel's Specific Instructions"))—underscores God's meticulous orchestration of events. This precision left no room for doubt or misidentification, ensuring that Cornelius would send for the correct individual. Joppa was a significant port city, and Peter was staying there at the house of Simon the tanner ([Acts 10:6](/acts/10-6 "Acts 10:6 - Peter at Simon the Tanner's House")), a profession that dealt with animal hides and was considered ritually unclean by many Jews. This detail subtly foreshadows the breaking down of purity laws that Peter himself would experience through his vision of the sheet with unclean animals ([Acts 10:9-16](/acts/10-9-16 "Acts 10:9-16 - Peter's Vision of Unclean Animals")), preparing him for the radical step of entering a Gentile home. The exactness of the divine command ensured that God's plan for Gentile inclusion would unfold precisely as intended.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 11:13, with its account of an angel directing a Gentile to seek out a Jewish apostle, powerfully foreshadows and participates in the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The angel's message to Cornelius to "Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter" is a direct outworking of Christ's Great Commission, which mandates the spread of the Gospel to "all nations" ([Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission")). Jesus, as the ultimate "messenger" or "angel" (in the sense of the Greek _ángelos_ meaning messenger) from God, came to break down the dividing wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile, reconciling both to God in one body through the cross ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")). The angelic command in this verse is a divine echo of Christ's inclusive heart, demonstrating that the salvation wrought by His sacrifice on Calvary was never intended for one people group alone, but for "whosoever believes in Him" ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). Cornelius's conversion, initiated by this heavenly directive, represents the practical outworking of Christ's universal atonement, bringing into the fold those who were formerly far off and making them fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household ([Ephesians 2:19](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints")). Thus, the angel's message in Acts 11:13 is a tangible manifestation of Christ's ongoing work to gather His church from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation, fulfilling His mission as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

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 10:30

And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

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 10:22

And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

Acts 10:3

He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.

Acts 10:6

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

Acts 9:43

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

Acts 12:11

And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and [from] all the expectation of the people of the Jews.