Acts 11:6

KJV

Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

KJV (with Strong's)

Upon {G1519} the which {G3739} when I had fastened mine eyes {G816}, I considered {G2657}, and {G2532} saw {G1492} fourfooted beasts {G5074} of the earth {G1093}, and {G2532} wild beasts {G2342}, and {G2532} creeping things {G2062}, and {G2532} fowls {G4071} of the air {G3772}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I looked inside and saw four-footed animals, beasts of prey, crawling creatures and wild birds.

Berean Standard Bible

I looked at it closely and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds of the air.

American Standard Version

upon which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw the fourfooted beasts of the earth and wild beasts and creeping things and birds of the heaven.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 11:6 forms a crucial part of Peter's defense before the Jerusalem church leaders, where he recounts the divine vision that compelled him to minister to the Gentile Cornelius. This verse specifically details the contents of the great sheet that descended from heaven, emphasizing the diverse array of animals—including those previously deemed unclean under Mosaic Law—that Peter was commanded to eat, thereby setting the stage for the revolutionary inclusion of Gentiles into the Christian community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 11:6 is embedded within Peter's pivotal speech (Acts 11:4-18) to the circumcised believers in Jerusalem, who were challenging his association with uncircumcised Gentiles. This recounting serves as Peter's theological justification for his groundbreaking actions, directly referencing the vision he first received in Joppa, as detailed in [Acts 10:9-16](/acts/10-9-16 "Peter's Vision in Joppa"). The repetition of the vision's details underscores its divine origin and profound significance, demonstrating that Peter's actions were not arbitrary but a direct response to God's clear instruction. The listing of various animal categories in verse 6 highlights the specific challenge to Peter's Jewish sensibilities and the radical nature of God's new directive, preparing the audience for the theological shift that follows.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish society was deeply structured by the Mosaic Law, which included strict dietary regulations and purity codes, particularly those found in [Leviticus 11](/leviticus/11 "Leviticus 11 - Dietary Laws") and [Deuteronomy 14](/deuteronomy/14 "Deuteronomy 14 - Clean and Unclean Animals"). These laws not only distinguished clean from unclean foods but also served as a powerful cultural boundary, separating Jews from Gentiles, who did not adhere to such distinctions. To "eat with" a Gentile was considered defiling for a Jew, making Peter's actions scandalous in the eyes of many Jewish believers. The vision, therefore, directly confronts these deeply ingrained cultural and religious norms, preparing Peter and, by extension, the early church, for a radical redefinition of God's people that would transcend ethnic and ceremonial boundaries.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, within the broader narrative, powerfully contributes to several key themes. It exemplifies **Divine Revelation**, as God chooses a direct, undeniable visual experience to communicate a revolutionary truth to Peter, preparing him to embrace Gentiles into the nascent Christian community. It also signifies the **Abolition of Ceremonial Law**, specifically the Old Covenant's distinctions regarding food and purity, which had long separated Jews from Gentiles. The inclusion of all types of animals symbolizes the breaking down of these barriers. Furthermore, it highlights **God's Inclusiveness**, serving as a powerful prelude to the truth that God shows no partiality, as Peter later declares in [Acts 10:34-35](/acts/10-34-35 "God Shows No Partiality"), and that salvation through Christ is for all people, regardless of their ethnic or religious background.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **fastened mine eyes (Greek, _atenízō'_):** This verb signifies an intense, fixed gaze, indicating Peter's deliberate and concentrated observation of the vision. It suggests that Peter was not merely glancing but was fully attentive, absorbing every detail of the divine display. This intensity underscores the profound importance of the message God was conveying, demanding Peter's full comprehension.
* **considered (Greek, _katanoéō'_):** This term implies a thorough mental processing, a careful contemplation or understanding of what was seen. Peter didn't just passively observe; he actively thought about and sought to grasp the meaning of the unusual sight. This intellectual engagement highlights the challenging nature of the vision's implications for Peter's deeply ingrained Jewish worldview.
* **wild beasts (Greek, _thēríon'_):** While `tetrápous` (fourfooted beasts) covers domestic animals, `thēríon` specifically refers to dangerous or wild animals. This distinction, alongside "creeping things" (`herpetón`) and "fowls of the air" (`peteinón`), ensures a comprehensive categorization of all living creatures, including those explicitly forbidden by Mosaic dietary laws (e.g., predatory animals, reptiles, certain birds). The inclusion of "wild beasts" emphasizes the full spectrum of "unclean" animals presented to Peter, making the divine command to "kill and eat" even more shocking and revolutionary.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes":** This phrase emphasizes Peter's deliberate and intense focus on the vision. He was not merely a passive observer but was actively engaged, fixing his gaze upon the descending sheet and its contents. This intentional observation underscores the gravity and clarity of the divine communication.
* **"I considered, and saw":** Peter's active mental process is highlighted here. He didn't just see the animals; he "considered" them, implying a moment of reflection and perhaps confusion or questioning before the full revelation. The act of "seeing" (eídō) confirms the reality of the vision, not as a dream, but as a vivid, undeniable experience.
* **"fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air":** This comprehensive list details the variety of animals on the sheet, encompassing every category of creature, including those considered unclean under Old Testament law. The enumeration serves to demonstrate the universality of God's declaration that all foods—and by extension, all people—are now "clean" in Christ, breaking down the ceremonial distinctions that previously separated Jew from Gentile.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 11:6 employs several significant literary devices. **Visionary Imagery** is central, as Peter recounts a vivid, divinely orchestrated visual experience. The detailed description of the sheet filled with various animals creates a powerful mental picture for the audience, conveying the tangible nature of God's revelation. **Enumeration** is prominently used in the listing of "fourfooted beasts... wild beasts... creeping things, and fowls of the air." This comprehensive cataloging emphasizes the totality of the creatures, ensuring that no category of "unclean" animal is omitted, thereby reinforcing the radical scope of God's declaration. Furthermore, **Symbolism** is inherent in the animals themselves. They are not merely literal creatures but serve as potent symbols for the people groups (Jews and Gentiles) whom God was bringing together, signifying the breaking down of ceremonial barriers and the universal reach of the Gospel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 11:6, as part of Peter's vision, is a pivotal moment in the New Testament, marking a fundamental shift in God's redemptive plan. Theologically, it underscores the abolition of the Old Covenant's ceremonial laws, particularly those pertaining to dietary restrictions and ritual purity, which served as a "wall of partition" between Jews and Gentiles. This vision reveals God's intention to extend salvation universally, demonstrating that the distinctions previously maintained were temporary and fulfilled in Christ. Theologically, it affirms God's sovereignty over all creation and His prerogative to redefine what is clean and unclean, ultimately declaring all humanity, in Christ, eligible for His grace. This passage serves as a foundational text for understanding the inclusive nature of the New Covenant and the global mission of the church.

* [Mark 7:18-19](/mark/7-18-19 "Jesus Declares All Foods Clean")
* [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "No Jew or Gentile in Christ")
* [Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Christ Breaks Down the Wall of Hostility")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Peter's experience in Acts 11:6 serves as a profound mirror for believers today, challenging us to examine our own preconceptions and prejudices that might hinder God's inclusive work. Just as Peter had to overcome centuries of deeply ingrained cultural and religious norms regarding "clean" and "unclean," we are called to dismantle any barriers—ethnic, social, economic, or otherwise—that prevent us from loving, accepting, and ministering to all people whom God embraces. This passage reminds us that the Gospel is inherently expansive, designed to transcend human-made divisions and unite diverse individuals into one body in Christ. It compels us to actively participate in God's mission to reach every nation, tribe, people, and language, recognizing that God has "cleansed" all whom He calls to Himself through faith. Our application of this truth should lead to radical hospitality, intentional cross-cultural engagement, and a fervent commitment to sharing the good news with everyone, without partiality.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "unclean" categories or groups of people might I unconsciously exclude or judge, similar to Peter's initial struggle with Gentiles?**
* **How can I actively challenge my own biases and embrace God's expansive love for all humanity in my daily interactions and ministry?**
* **In what ways might my church or community be inadvertently creating "walls of partition" that hinder the full inclusion of diverse people into the body of Christ?**

### FAQ
**Why did God use a vision of animals to teach Peter about Gentiles?**

Answer: God used a vision of animals, specifically those considered unclean under the Mosaic Law, because it directly challenged Peter's deeply ingrained Jewish understanding of purity and separation. For centuries, Jewish identity was partly defined by adherence to dietary laws and avoidance of Gentiles, who were considered "unclean." By commanding Peter to "kill and eat" all types of animals, God was symbolically breaking down these ceremonial distinctions, revealing that what He had cleansed (both food and people) should no longer be called common or unclean. This visual metaphor was a powerful and undeniable way to prepare Peter for the radical inclusion of Gentiles into the Christian community, demonstrating that salvation in Christ was for all humanity, not just for Jews, as Peter himself later declared in [Acts 10:34-35](/acts/10-34-35 "God Shows No Partiality").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 11:6, within the broader narrative of Peter's vision, finds its ultimate fulfillment and theological grounding in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The distinction between "clean" and "unclean" animals, which served as a pedagogical tool and a boundary marker under the Old Covenant, is fundamentally transcended by Christ's redemptive work. Jesus himself declared all foods clean (as recorded in [Mark 7:18-19](/mark/7-18-19 "Jesus Declares All Foods Clean")), signifying the spiritual reality that ceremonial laws were temporary and pointed to a greater cleansing. More profoundly, Christ's sacrifice on the cross broke down the "dividing wall of hostility" between Jew and Gentile, creating "one new humanity" (as articulated in [Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Christ Breaks Down the Wall of Hostility")). The vision of the sheet filled with all creatures symbolizes the universal scope of the Gospel, made possible by Christ's atoning death and resurrection, which cleanses and reconciles all people to God, regardless of their former status or background. Thus, Peter's vision in [Acts 10](/acts/10 "The Conversion of Cornelius") and his recounting in [Acts 11](/acts/11 "Peter's Defense and the Church at Antioch") are not merely about dietary freedom but about the radical inclusivity of God's grace, fully realized in the new covenant established through the blood of Jesus, 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

Luke 4:20

And he closed the book, and he gave [it] again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.

Acts 3:4

And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.