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;

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};

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.

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

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

Acts 11:13 is part of Peter's crucial defense before the apostles and brethren in Jerusalem, explaining why he, a Jewish apostle, had associated with and preached the Gospel to Gentiles. This verse specifically recounts Cornelius's testimony regarding his angelic vision, which initiated the chain of events leading to Peter's visit.

Context

Following his return to Jerusalem, Peter faced criticism from those "of the circumcision" (Jewish believers) for eating with uncircumcised men (Acts 11:3). In response, Peter systematically recounts the entire sequence of events that unfolded in Caesarea, starting with Cornelius's divine encounter. This verse highlights Cornelius's personal account of the angel's instruction, which serves as a powerful validation of Peter's actions and God's broader plan to include Gentiles in the early church. The full narrative of Cornelius's conversion is detailed in Acts chapter 10, where the angel's appearance to Cornelius is first recorded in Acts 10:3-6.

Key Themes

  • Divine Guidance: The verse clearly demonstrates God's active involvement in directing human affairs. An angel, a heavenly messenger (Greek: angelos), is sent directly to Cornelius, providing explicit instructions. This highlights God's initiative in bringing people to faith and connecting them with His appointed messengers.
  • Breaking Barriers: The explicit command to send for Simon Peter, a Jew, to come to the house of Cornelius, a Gentile centurion, was a significant step in breaking down the social and religious barriers between Jews and Gentiles. It foreshadows the universal reach of the Gospel, emphasizing that God shows no partiality in His salvation plan.
  • Obedience to God's Call: Both Cornelius and Peter demonstrated prompt obedience to divine instruction, even when it challenged their cultural norms or personal preferences. Cornelius immediately dispatches men based on the angel's word, and Peter, after his own confirming vision, goes without hesitation.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "he shewed us" translates the Greek verb exēgeito (ἐξηγεῖτο), which means "he explained, narrated, expounded." This implies that Cornelius did not just briefly mention the angel, but gave a detailed, clear account of what transpired, reinforcing the veracity of the event for Peter and his companions. The term "angel" (Greek: angelos) simply means "messenger," emphasizing its role as a divine communicator.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that God often uses specific, sometimes unexpected, means to guide individuals and expand His kingdom. It encourages believers to be attentive to divine leading, whether through direct revelation (as in Cornelius's case), the Holy Spirit, or the Word of God. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of being willing to step outside our comfort zones or traditional understandings when God clearly directs us, recognizing His desire for all people to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. Just as Cornelius sought divine truth, we are called to be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, responding obediently to God's revealed will.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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.
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