Cornelius' Vision and the Call for Peter
Acts 10:1-8
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Acts.10.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ανηρ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- εν: PREP
- Καισαρεια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- ονοματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- Κορνηλιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εκατονταρχης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εκ: PREP
- σπειρης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- καλουμενης: VERB,pres,pas,part,gen,sg,f
- Ιταλικης: ADJ,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Matthew 8:5-13 (thematic): Another Roman centurion whose faith is praised by Jesus; parallels Cornelius as a Gentile centurion whose faith/piety is notable and worthy of divine response.
- Luke 7:1-10 (verbal): Synoptic parallel to Matthew's centurion story (healing of the servant); highlights the recurring NT motif of a Roman centurion's faith and Jesus' commendation.
- Acts 11:13-14 (structural): Peter's later retelling of the Cornelius episode (angelic vision and the sending of Peter) — directly continues and explains the significance of the introduction in Acts 10:1.
- Acts 10:34-35 (thematic): Peter's proclamation that 'God shows no partiality' and accepts Gentiles who fear him is thematically tied to Cornelius being a God-fearing Gentile centurion introduced in 10:1.
Alternative generated candidates
- There was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian cohort.
- Now there was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of the cohort called the Italian.
Acts.10.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ευσεβης: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- φοβουμενος: VERB,pres,mid,part,nom,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- θεον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- συν: PREP
- παντι: PRON,dat,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- οικω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ποιων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- ελεημοσυνας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- πολλας: ADJ,acc,pl,f
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- λαω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- δεομενος: VERB,pres,mid,ptcp,nom,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- δια: PREP
- παντος: ADJ,gen,sg,masc
Parallels
- Acts 10:4 (verbal): The angel tells Cornelius that 'your prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God,' directly echoing 10:2's mention of his continual praying and many acts of charity.
- Luke 1:6 (thematic): Zechariah and Elizabeth are described as righteous/devout and blameless before God, paralleling Cornelius's depiction as devout and God‑fearing in his pious conduct.
- Acts 4:34–35 (thematic): The early believers' practice of selling possessions and distributing to anyone in need resonates with Cornelius's practice of giving alms to the people—both emphasize charitable provision as a mark of piety.
- Acts 16:14 (thematic): Lydia is called a 'worshiper of God' (a God‑fearing Gentile whose heart the Lord opened), paralleling Cornelius as a Gentile noted for devotion to God and receptive religiosity.
Alternative generated candidates
- He was devout and God-fearing, along with all his household; he gave alms generously to the people and prayed continually to God.
- He was devout and God‑fearing, respected by all the Jewish people; he gave alms generously to the poor and prayed continually to God.
Acts.10.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ειδεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- οραματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- φανερως: ADV
- ωσει: ADV
- περι: PREP
- ωραν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ενατην: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- ημερας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- αγγελον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εισελθοντα: VERB,aor,act,part,acc,pl,n
- προς: PREP
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ειποντα: VERB,aor,act,part,acc,sg,m
- αυτω·Κορνηλιε: PRON,dat,sg,m;NOUN,voc,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 10:9-16 (structural): A complementary vision in the same chapter given to Peter (the sheet and clean/unclean animals); together with 10:3 this pair of visions links divine revelation to Cornelius and Peter and drives the mission to Gentiles.
- Luke 1:11-13 (thematic): An angelic visitation to an individual (Zechariah) announcing God's word — parallels the motif of an angel appearing to a named person to deliver divine instruction.
- Acts 12:7 (verbal): An angel of the Lord appears to a named recipient (Peter) and intervenes — similar language and the motif of an angelic appearance addressing a specific person.
- Exodus 3:2 (verbal): The 'angel of the LORD' appears to Moses (in the burning bush) — parallels the formula of divine/angelic appearance to an individual and the revelation-through-appearance motif.
- Daniel 8:15-16 (thematic): Daniel receives a vision and an angelic figure (Gabriel) provides revelation/interpretation — parallels the visionary context in which an angel appears to communicate God's will.
Alternative generated candidates
- About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in to him and saying to him, "Cornelius."
- About the ninth hour he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God come in to him and say, "Cornelius."
Acts.10.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- ατενισας: VERB,aor,act,ptcp,nom,m,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- εμφοβος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- γενομενος: VERB,aor,mid,ptc,nom,sg,m
- ειπεν·Τι: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- κυριε: NOUN,voc,sg,m
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- αυτω·Αι: PRON,dat,sg,m
- προσευχαι: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- και: CONJ
- αι: ART,nom,pl,f
- ελεημοσυναι: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- ανεβησαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- εις: PREP
- μνημοσυνον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- εμπροσθεν: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου·: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Revelation 5:8 (verbal): Prayers of the saints are explicitly identified with incense in golden bowls before God — the same motif of prayers ‘ascending’ as a memorial.
- Revelation 8:3-4 (verbal): An angel offers the prayers of the saints with incense on the golden altar, and the smoke of the incense (the prayers) goes up before God — closely parallels Acts’ language of prayers ascending.
- Psalm 141:2 (verbal): Prayer is likened to incense and sacrifice rising before God (‘Let my prayer be counted as incense’), echoing the imagery of prayers ascending as a memorial.
- Luke 1:10 (thematic): Zechariah’s scene in the temple at the hour of incense links public/ritual prayer with the idea of prayers rising before God — a thematic background for Acts’ vision to Cornelius.
- Matthew 6:4 (thematic): Jesus teaches that charitable deeds given in secret are seen and rewarded by the Father — relates to Acts’ pairing of prayers and alms as acts remembered by God.
Alternative generated candidates
- And fixing his gaze upon him and becoming afraid, he said, "What is it, Lord?" The angel said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have gone up for a memorial before God.
- He looked intently at him and was frightened, and said, "What is it, Lord?"
Acts.10.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- νυν: ADV
- πεμψον: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- ανδρας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- εις: PREP
- Ιοππην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- μεταπεμψαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- Σιμωνα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- τινα: PRON,acc,sg,m
- ος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- επικαλειται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- Πετρος·: NOUN,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 9:38-43 (structural): Earlier narrative in Joppa where disciples send for Simon Peter to come and raise Tabitha (Dorcas); provides immediate narrative background for sending to Joppa and calling Peter.
- Acts 11:12 (structural): Peter’s later retelling of the Cornelius episode—records that men were sent to Joppa and fetched Peter, a direct reprise of the event in Acts 10.
- John 1:42 (verbal): John records Jesus giving Simon the name Cephas (Peter); parallels the identification 'Simon who is called Peter' in Acts 10:5.
- Matthew 16:18 (thematic): Jesus’ declaration that Simon is 'Peter' (the rock) establishes the title and role that underlies Acts’ reference to 'Simon called Peter.'
Alternative generated candidates
- Now send men to Joppa and summon Simon who is called Peter;
- The angel answered him, "Your prayers and your alms have gone up as a memorial before God.
Acts.10.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ουτος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- ξενιζεται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- παρα: PREP
- τινι: PRON,dat,sg,neut
- Σιμωνι: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- βυρσει: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- ω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- οικια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- παρα: PREP
- θαλασσαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Acts 9:43 (verbal): Same identification of 'Simon the tanner' in Joppa; the wording about Peter staying with Simon is repeated earlier in Acts.
- Acts 10:5 (structural): Immediate narrative link: Cornelius is instructed to send to Joppa and 'call for Simon whose surname is Peter,' connecting the angelic message to Peter's lodging.
- Acts 10:9-16 (thematic): Peter's vision about clean and unclean animals occurs while he is staying (in the tanner's house) and provides the theological basis for crossing Jewish purity boundaries to associate with Gentiles.
- Acts 10:28 (thematic): Peter's later remark that 'it is unlawful for a Jew to keep company with or come unto one of another nation' highlights the tension resolved by his presence in a tanner's house and his subsequent visit to Cornelius.
Alternative generated candidates
- he is staying with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea."
- Now send men to Joppa and summon Simon who is called Peter; he is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea."
Acts.10.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ως: ADV
- δε: CONJ
- απηλθεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- αγγελος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- λαλων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- φωνησας: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,m,sg
- δυο: NUM,acc,pl,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- οικετων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- στρατιωτην: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ευσεβη: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- προσκαρτερουντων: PART,pres,act,gen,pl,m
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 10:1 (verbal): Same episode: Cornelius is introduced as a 'devout' (εὐσεβής) man who fears God, providing background for the 'devout soldier' sent in v.7.
- Acts 10:4-6 (structural): The angelic instruction to send to Joppa for Simon Peter (vv.4–6) is the immediate content that prompts Cornelius to summon his servants and the attendant soldier in v.7.
- Acts 10:22 (verbal): Later recounting of the same men who came to Peter: the messengers Cornelius sent are explicitly identified, linking back to the two servants and the devout soldier of v.7.
- Luke 7:2-10 (thematic): A Roman centurion displays concern for his servant and is portrayed positively for his faith—parallels the motif of a Gentile soldier shown piety and involvement in God’s work.
- Matthew 8:5-13 (thematic): The centurion’s faith and his servant’s healing echo the theme of a devout Gentile soldier and the saving reach of God beyond Israel, resonant with the presence of a 'devout soldier' in Acts 10:7.
Alternative generated candidates
- When the angel who spoke with him departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from those who attended him,
- When the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier from those who attended him.
Acts.10.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εξηγησαμενος: VERB,aor,mid,part,nom,sg,m
- απαντα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- απεστειλεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- Ιοππην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Acts 10:5 (structural): The angelic message to Cornelius directly instructs him to send men to Joppa to fetch Peter—this is the immediate divine directive prompting the sending described in 10:8.
- Acts 10:23 (structural): Continues the same episode: the messengers go to Joppa and find Peter, showing the outcome of Cornelius' sending in 10:8.
- Acts 11:12 (verbal): Peter's later recounting of the event (how he was sent for and went) reiterates the sending and explains the same movements and explanations recorded in Acts 10.
- Luke 10:1 (thematic): Jesus' commissioning/sending of the seventy (missionary dispatch of messengers) parallels the broader theme of delegating representatives to carry out a mission.
- Luke 24:27 (verbal): Jesus 'explained' the Scriptures to the Emmaus disciples (διεξηγασατο/εξηγησατο language); the phrasing and concept of explaining 'all things' echoes the verbal motif in Acts 10:8 (εξηγησαμενος απαντα).
Alternative generated candidates
- and after he related all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.
- He explained everything to them, and he sent them to Joppa.
Now there was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of the cohort called the Italian.
He was a devout, God-fearing man, together with his whole household; he gave alms generously to the people and prayed continually to God.
About the ninth hour of the day he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God coming in to him and saying, 'Cornelius.' And he fixed his gaze upon him and, being afraid, said, 'What is it, Lord?' And he said to him, 'Your prayers and your alms have gone up as a memorial before God.' Now send to Joppa and summon Simon, whose surname is Peter.
He is lodging with one named Simon, a tanner; his house is by the sea.
When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him continually,
and having related all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.