Acts 11:9

KJV

But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, [that] call not thou common.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} the voice {G5456} answered {G611} me {G3427} again {G1537}{G1208} from {G1537} heaven {G3772}, What {G3739} God {G2316} hath cleansed {G2511}, that call {G2840} not {G3361} thou {G4771} common {G2840}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But the voice spoke again from heaven: ‘Stop treating as unclean what God has made clean.’

Berean Standard Bible

But the voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’

American Standard Version

But a voice answered the second time out of heaven, What God hath cleansed, make not thou common.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 11:9 captures a pivotal moment in Peter's recounting of his vision in Joppa, where a divine voice from heaven directly challenges his deeply ingrained Jewish understanding of ritual purity. This verse encapsulates God's radical declaration that what He has purified should no longer be considered ceremonially unclean or common by human judgment, thereby paving the way for the inclusion of Gentiles into the nascent Christian community and fundamentally reshaping the scope of the Gospel message.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Peter's defense before the apostles and brethren in Jerusalem, who had heard that he "went in unto men uncircumcised, and did eat with them" ([Acts 11:3](/acts/11-3 "Peter's Defense Before the Apostles")). Peter systematically recounts the entire sequence of events, beginning with his prayer on the housetop in Joppa, the vision of the sheet descending from heaven filled with all manner of animals, and the repeated divine command to "kill and eat" ([Acts 10:9-16](/acts/10-9-16 "Peter's Vision of the Sheet")). Acts 11:9 is the crucial divine pronouncement that directly addresses Peter's resistance to eating the "unclean" animals, serving as the theological linchpin that justifies his subsequent interaction with Cornelius and his household, as detailed in [Acts 10:28-48](/acts/10-28-48 "Peter Preaches to Cornelius's Household and They Receive the Holy Spirit"). Peter's narrative in Acts 11 is a direct parallel and explanation of the events in Acts 10, emphasizing the divine impetus behind the expansion of the Gospel to the Gentiles.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Judaism was deeply rooted in the Mosaic Law, which included strict dietary laws and regulations concerning ritual purity. These laws, found in books like [Leviticus](/leviticus/11 "Leviticus 11 - Clean and Unclean Animals") and [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/14 "Deuteronomy 14 - Clean and Unclean Foods"), distinguished between clean and unclean animals, and by extension, between ritually pure and impure people or objects. Jews avoided contact and fellowship with Gentiles, whom they considered "unclean" or "common," to maintain their ritual purity and distinct identity as God's chosen people. Peter, as a devout Jew, initially resisted the command to eat the animals, reflecting this deeply ingrained cultural and religious understanding. The vision and the subsequent command in Acts 11:9 directly challenged centuries of tradition, preparing Peter for a radical paradigm shift concerning the inclusion of Gentiles, whose "uncleanness" was often equated with their non-adherence to Jewish law and customs.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 11:9 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Acts and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the **Sovereignty of God** in directing His plan of salvation, overriding human traditions and prejudices. The divine voice unequivocally asserts God's authority to declare what is clean or unclean, demonstrating that His purposes transcend human categories. This leads directly to the theme of the **Inclusivity of the Gospel**, as the vision's true meaning extends beyond dietary laws to the acceptance of Gentiles into the covenant community without requiring them to become Jewish proselytes. This is a foundational step in the **Expansion of the Church**, moving from a primarily Jewish sect to a global movement encompassing all nations. The verse also highlights the theme of **Divine Revelation and Obedience**, as Peter's initial resistance is overcome by God's clear and repeated instruction, leading to his transformative obedience that opens the door for the Holy Spirit to fall upon Gentiles, as seen in [Acts 10:44-48](/acts/10-44-48 "The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles"). This shift underscores the **New Covenant's emphasis on inward purity** through faith in Christ, rather than outward ritual observance, a theme echoed throughout the New Testament, for instance, in [Mark 7:19](/mark/7-19 "Jesus Declares All Foods Clean").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **voice (Greek, _phōnḗ'_):** (G5456) This term refers to an articulate sound, a tone, or an address. In this context, it signifies a direct, audible communication from God, often indicative of a divine revelation or command. The repetition of the voice in Peter's vision underscores its divine origin and authoritative nature, demanding Peter's attention and obedience.
* **cleansed (Greek, _katharízō'_):** (G2511) Derived from the word for "clean," this verb means to make clean, to purge, or to purify, literally or figuratively. Here, it refers to God's sovereign act of declaring something formerly considered ritually impure to be pure. This is not merely a physical cleansing but a theological declaration of acceptability, signifying God's removal of ceremonial barriers.
* **common (Greek, _koinóō'_):** (G2840) From _koinós_ (common, shared), this verb means to make or consider something profane or ceremonially unclean. In Jewish thought, "common" referred to something defiled or ritually impure, unfit for sacred use or consumption. The divine command "call not thou common" directly challenges Peter's ingrained understanding of purity, asserting God's prerogative to redefine what is acceptable.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But the voice answered me again from heaven":** This phrase emphasizes the divine origin and authoritative nature of the message. The word "again" (G1208, _deúteros_) highlights the repetition of the command, indicating God's persistence in overcoming Peter's initial resistance and ensuring the clarity and certainty of the revelation. The source "from heaven" unequivocally identifies the speaker as God Himself, lending ultimate authority to the subsequent declaration.
* **"What God hath cleansed":** This clause establishes the premise for the divine command. It refers to God's sovereign act of purification or declaration of purity. The perfect tense "hath cleansed" indicates a completed action with ongoing results, meaning God has definitively and irrevocably purified these things (and by extension, people). This divine act supersedes any human or traditional classification of "unclean."
* **"that call not thou common":** This is the direct, imperative command to Peter. It is a strong prohibition against Peter (or anyone) labeling as ritually impure or defiled that which God Himself has declared clean. The implication extends far beyond dietary laws, serving as a metaphor for the inclusion of Gentiles, whom devout Jews considered "common" or "unclean," into the fellowship of believers. It is a call to align Peter's perception and practice with God's new, expansive reality.

#### Literary Devices
The verse powerfully employs **Divine Voice/Theophany**, where God directly communicates from heaven, underscoring the absolute authority and divine origin of the message. This direct address serves to confront Peter's deeply held traditions with an undeniable divine truth. The entire vision, and this verse within it, functions as **Symbolism**, where the "unclean" animals represent the Gentile people. God's declaration that these animals are "cleansed" symbolically prefigures the spiritual cleansing and acceptance of Gentiles into the Christian community. Furthermore, the statement "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common" acts as a **Divine Prohibition/Command**, not merely a suggestion. It is a clear, unequivocal directive that demands obedience and a radical shift in Peter's understanding and behavior, challenging his ingrained prejudices and preparing him for a new, inclusive mission.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 11:9 is a theological watershed, signaling a profound shift in God's redemptive plan. It reveals God's universal love and His intention to extend salvation beyond the confines of ethnic Israel to all humanity. The principle that God's declaration of purity overrides human distinctions or traditional laws is foundational to understanding the New Covenant. It underscores that salvation and inclusion in God's family are based on His grace and sovereign choice, not on adherence to ceremonial laws or ethnic background. This divine pronouncement dismantles the spiritual and social barriers that separated Jews and Gentiles, paving the way for the church to become a truly global body, united in Christ.

* [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 "Christ Breaks Down the Dividing Wall"): "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."
* [Romans 10:12-13](/romans/10-12-13 "Salvation for All Who Call on the Lord"): "For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 11:9 remains profoundly relevant for believers today, challenging us to examine our own hearts for any lingering prejudices or exclusive attitudes that contradict God's inclusive love. Just as Peter had to unlearn centuries of tradition, we are called to align our perspectives with God's revealed will, especially concerning those we might instinctively deem "common" or "unworthy." This verse compels us to embrace the radical inclusivity of the Gospel, recognizing that God's grace extends to all people, regardless of their background, ethnicity, social status, or past. It calls us to actively dismantle barriers within our communities and churches, fostering environments where all who are cleansed by God through faith in Christ are welcomed and affirmed. Our mission is to reflect God's non-partiality, extending the invitation of the Gospel to every person and celebrating the beautiful diversity of the body of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "common" or "unclean" categories might I unconsciously apply to people or groups today, similar to Peter's initial mindset?**
* **How can my church community better embody the radical inclusivity demonstrated by God in Acts 11:9?**
* **In what areas of my life might God be challenging my long-held traditions or comfort zones to align with His broader purposes?**
* **How does the truth that "what God has cleansed" apply to my own sense of worth or past failures?**

### FAQ
**Was Peter's vision only about food, or was it primarily about people?**

Answer: While the vision initially presented Peter with "unclean" animals, its primary purpose and deeper meaning were unequivocally about people, specifically the inclusion of Gentiles into the Christian community. Peter himself understood this when he later declared to Cornelius, "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" ([Acts 10:34-35](/acts/10-34-35 "God Shows No Partiality")). The dietary laws served as a powerful metaphor to break down the greater barrier between Jews and Gentiles, showing that God had cleansed and accepted all people who believe, regardless of their ethnic or ritualistic background.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 11:9 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the true agent of God's cleansing and the one who breaks down all dividing walls. Jesus, through His life, death, and resurrection, abolished the ceremonial law that created distinctions between clean and unclean, Jew and Gentile. He declared all foods clean ([Mark 7:19](/mark/7-19 "Jesus Declares All Foods Clean")), but more profoundly, He purified humanity from the defilement of sin, making a way for all people to be reconciled to God. The "cleansing" spoken of in Peter's vision points to Christ's atoning sacrifice, which purifies believers from all unrighteousness, making them holy and acceptable before God ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Christ's Blood Cleanses Conscience")). Through Christ, the "common" Gentile is made "holy" and brought near to God, becoming fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household ([Ephesians 2:19](/ephesians/2-19 "Gentiles Are Fellow Citizens with the Saints")). The Lord Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of God's inclusive plan, embodying the truth that in Him, "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" ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "No Jew or Gentile in Christ")). The voice from heaven in Acts 11:9 is a divine echo of the comprehensive, barrier-breaking salvation accomplished by Christ, inviting all to partake in the new covenant of grace.

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 15:9

And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

Hebrews 9:13

For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

Hebrews 9:14

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Acts 10:34

¶ Then Peter opened [his] mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

Acts 10:35

But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

1 Timothy 4:5

For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

Acts 10:28

And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.