Acts 11:5

I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:

I {G1473} was {G2252} in {G1722} the city {G4172} of Joppa {G2445} praying {G4336}: and {G2532} in {G1722} a trance {G1611} I saw {G1492} a vision {G3705}, A certain {G5100} vessel {G4632} descend {G2597}, as it had been {G5613} a great {G3173} sheet {G3607}, let down {G2524} from {G1537} heaven {G3772} by four {G5064} corners {G746}; and {G2532} it came {G2064} even {G891} to me {G1700}:

“I was in the city of Yafo, praying; and in a trance I had a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being lowered by its four corners from heaven, and it came down to me.

“I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision of something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came right down to me.

I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even unto me:

Acts 11:5 recounts Peter's pivotal vision in the city of Joppa, a divine encounter that profoundly shifted his understanding of God's inclusive plan for humanity. This verse is part of Peter's defense before the apostles and elders in Jerusalem, explaining why he entered the house of Cornelius, a Gentile.

Context

This verse is Peter's personal testimony, retelling the events of Acts chapter 10. While praying on a rooftop in Joppa, a coastal city known for its port, Peter fell into a trance. This vision was a direct preparation for his encounter with Cornelius, a Roman centurion, and his household. It challenged deeply ingrained Jewish customs regarding clean and unclean foods, and by extension, the separation between Jews and Gentiles. Peter's willingness to go to Cornelius's house, a Gentile, was revolutionary for a devout Jew, and this vision provided the divine mandate.

Key Themes

  • Divine Revelation: The "trance" (Greek: ekstasis) signifies a profound state of being taken out of oneself, allowing for direct communication from God. This vision was not a dream but a clear, supernatural revelation designed to convey a specific message.
  • Breaking Down Barriers: The "great sheet" filled with all kinds of animals, both clean and unclean by Mosaic law, symbolized God's declaration that nothing He has created is inherently unclean. This was a direct prelude to the acceptance of Gentiles into the Christian community without requiring them to adhere to Jewish ceremonial laws. It foreshadows the Jerusalem Council's decision regarding Gentile converts.
  • God's Initiative: The vision was "let down from heaven," emphasizing that this expansion of the Gospel to the Gentiles was not a human invention but a divine directive, orchestrated by God Himself.
  • Prayer and Openness: Peter was praying when the vision occurred, highlighting how a posture of prayer can open one to divine communication and guidance, even when it challenges existing paradigms.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "trance," ekstasis (ἔκστασις), literally means "a standing outside oneself." It describes a state of spiritual rapture or ecstasy where one's normal consciousness is suspended, allowing for a direct perception of divine things. This term emphasizes the supernatural and overwhelming nature of Peter's experience, underscoring that the vision was not a product of his own thoughts but an external, divine imposition.

Practical Application

Acts 11:5 reminds believers today of several important principles:

  • God Challenges Our Preconceptions: Just as God challenged Peter's deeply held cultural and religious views, He may challenge our own prejudices or comfort zones to expand our understanding of His will and kingdom.
  • The Inclusiveness of the Gospel: The "great sheet" vision underscores that God's grace and salvation are for all people, regardless of background, ethnicity, or social standing. The church is called to be a welcoming and inclusive community.
  • Listen for Divine Direction: A life of prayer, like Peter's, can make us more receptive to God's guidance, even when that guidance leads us in unexpected or uncomfortable directions. God often reveals His next steps during times of seeking Him.
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 10:9

    ¶ On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:

  • 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.

  • Ezekiel 2:9

    And when I looked, behold, an hand [was] sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book [was] therein;

  • Acts 22:17

    And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;

  • Amos 7:4

    Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me: and, behold, the Lord GOD called to contend by fire, and it devoured the great deep, and did eat up a part.

  • Amos 7:7

    Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall [made] by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand.

  • Acts 11:5

    I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:

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