TRV
John Chrysostom
Nicene & Post-Nicene · AD 325–500 · 7,356 passages across 56 books
Commentary
Acts 10:13
And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
"And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat." "Rise, Peter," saith the Voice, "kill and eat." Probably he was on his knees when he saw the vision.
Acts 10:14
· 2 passages
But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
Wherefore did he object? That none may say that God was proving him, as in the case of Abraham, this is why he says, "Not so, Lord," etc. not gainsaying - just as to Philip also He said, "How many loaves have ye?" Not to learn, but tempting, or "proving him."
"But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean." This was a thing altogether offensive to them: observe then what is providentially managed. He himself also says, "I have never eaten": not being himself afraid - far be the thought from us - but it is so contrived by the Spirit, in order that he may have it to say in answer to those accusing him, that he did object: for it was altogether necessary for them to observe the Law. He was in the act of being sent to the Gentiles: therefore that these also may not accuse him, see how many things are contrived by the Providence of God.
Acts 10:15
And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
"And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common." "What God hath cleansed," saith it, "call not thou common." Great daring! It seems indeed to be spoken to him, but the whole is meant for the Jews. For if the teacher is rebuked, much more these.
Acts 10:16
This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
"This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven." For, that it may not seem to be a mere fancy, "this was done thrice." And yet it was the same Lord that had discoursed above in the Law concerning things clean and unclean. But in that sheet were also all the four-footed beasts of the earth: the clean with the unclean.
Acts 10:17
· 2 passages
Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,
At the right time, the men come who resolve his confusion. When Christ allowed Joseph to be thrown into confusion, then too, he sent an archangel to him. Here Peter’s soul, having been confused, calmly accepts the resolution … when they inquire whether he is staying there.
And for all this, he knew not what it meant. "Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, and called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there." But while Peter, it says, "doubted in himself," the men come at the right moment to solve his doubt: just as the Lord suffered Joseph first to be perturbed in mind, and then sends the Angel: for the soul with ease accepts the solution, when it has first been in perplexity.
Acts 10:18
· 2 passages
And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
Observe too how he did not at once receive them. For, it says, they "called, and asked, whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodging there." As it was a mean looking house, they asked below, they inquired of the neighbors.
His perplexity neither lasts long when it did occur, nor did it occur before this, but just at the moment when they "asked whether he were lodging there."
Acts 10:19-20
· 3 passages
While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.
Not so the Angel, but having first said, "Thy prayers and thine alms have ascended, for a memorial before God," to show that he is sent from thence, then he adds, "And now send men," etc.: the Spirit not so, but, "For I have sent them."
"While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them." And this again is a plea for Peter in answer to the disciples, that he did doubt, and was instructed to doubt nothing. "For I," saith He, "have sent them." Great is the authority of the Spirit! What God doth, this the Spirit is said to do.
"And while Peter thought, the Spirit said unto him, Arise, get thee down, and go, nothing doubting, for I have sent them." And he does not say, For to this end did the vision appear unto thee; but, "I have sent them." Then Peter went down - this is the way the Spirit must be obeyed, without demanding reasons. For it is sufficient for all assurance to be told by Him, This do, this believe: nothing more is needed.
Acts 10:21
Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?
"Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?" He saw a soldier, saw a man: it was not that he was afraid, on the contrary, having first confessed that he was the person whom they sought, then he asks for the cause of their coming; that it may not be supposed that the reason of his asking the cause, was, that he wished to hide himself: he asks it in order that if it be immediately urgent, he may also go forth with them, but if not, may receive them as guests.
Acts 10:22
· 3 passages
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.
"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." They speak his praises, so as to persuade him that an Angel has in fact appeared unto him.
But observe what is said of him by the soldier whom Cornelius sent: "A just man, and one that feareth God": and then - for fearing lest Peter should refuse to come to him, as being a Gentile, he adds this - "and well reported of by all the nation of the Jews." Why then, there is nothing like alms; or rather great is the virtue of this thing.
"And they said, etc. into his house." This he had ordered them. Do not think he has done this out of contempt: not as of contempt has he sent, but so he was ordered.
Acts 10:23
· 2 passages
Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
"Then called he them in," that they may suffer no harm, "and lodged them": thenceforth he without scruple takes his meals with them. "And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Caesarea accompanied him."
"He called them in, and lodged them." Good, that first he gives the men friendly treatment, after the fatigue of their journey, and makes them at home with him; "and on the morrow," sets out with them. And certain accompany him: this too as Providence ordered it, that they should be witnesses afterwards when Peter would need to justify himself. "And Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends." This is the part of a friend, this the part of a devout man, that where such blessings are concerned, he takes care that his near friends shall be made partakers of all. Of course his "near" friends, those in whom he had ever full confidence; fearing, with such an interest at stake, to entrust the matter to others. In my opinion, it was by Cornelius himself that both friends and kinsmen had been brought to a better mind.
Acts 10:24
And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.
"And the morrow after, they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends." It was right that his kinsmen and friends should be gathered to him. The man was a person of note, and it was in a city of note that he then was.
Acts 10:25-26
And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.
"And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him." This, both to teach the others, and by way of giving thanks to God, and showing his own humility: thereby making it plain, that though he had been commanded, yet in himself he had great piety. What then did Peter? "But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man." Do you mark how, before all else the Apostles teach them this lesson, not to think great things of them?
Mark how on every side it is shown how worthy he is! So the Eunuch there desired Philip to come up and sit in the chariot, although not knowing who he was, upon no other introduction than that given by the Prophet. But here Cornelius fell at his feet. "Stand up, I myself also am a man." Observe how free from adulation his speech is on all occasions, and how full of humility.
Mark how on every side it is shown how worthy he is! So the Eunuch there desired Philip to come up and sit in the chariot, although not knowing who he was, upon no other introduction than that given by the Prophet. But here Cornelius fell at his feet. "Stand up, I myself also am a man." Observe how free from adulation his speech is on all occasions, and how full of humility.