Discovery BoxActs 9:32--11:2
Context9:32 Now 1 as Peter was traveling around from place to place, 2 he also came down to the saints who lived in Lydda. 3 9:33 He found there a man named Aeneas who had been confined to a mattress for eight years because 4 he was paralyzed. 9:34 Peter 5 said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ 6 heals you. Get up and make your own bed!” 7 And immediately he got up. 9:35 All 8 those who lived in Lydda 9 and Sharon 10 saw him, and they 11 turned 12 to the Lord.
9:36 Now in Joppa 13 there was a disciple named Tabitha (which in translation means 14 Dorcas). 15 She was continually doing good deeds and acts of charity. 16 9:37 At that time 17 she became sick 18 and died. When they had washed 19 her body, 20 they placed it in an upstairs room. 9:38 Because Lydda 21 was near Joppa, when the disciples heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Come to us without delay.” 22 9:39 So Peter got up and went with them, and 23 when he arrived 24 they brought him to the upper room. All 25 the widows stood beside him, crying and showing him 26 the tunics 27 and other clothing 28 Dorcas used to make 29 while she was with them. 9:40 But Peter sent them all outside, 30 knelt down, 31 and prayed. Turning 32 to the body, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” Then she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 33 9:41 He gave 34 her his hand and helped her get up. Then he called 35 the saints and widows and presented her alive. 9:42 This became known throughout all 36 Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 37 9:43 So 38 Peter 39 stayed many days in Joppa with a man named 40 Simon, a tanner. 41
10:1 Now there was a man in Caesarea 42 named Cornelius, a centurion 43 of what was known as the Italian Cohort. 44 10:2 He 45 was a devout, God-fearing man, 46 as was all his household; he did many acts of charity for the people 47 and prayed to God regularly. 10:3 About three o’clock one afternoon 48 he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God 49 who came in 50 and said to him, “Cornelius.” 10:4 Staring at him and becoming greatly afraid, Cornelius 51 replied, 52 “What is it, Lord?” The angel 53 said to him, “Your prayers and your acts of charity 54 have gone up as a memorial 55 before God. 10:5 Now 56 send men to Joppa 57 and summon a man named Simon, 58 who is called Peter. 10:6 This man is staying as a guest with a man named Simon, a tanner, 59 whose house is by the sea.” 10:7 When the angel who had spoken to him departed, Cornelius 60 called two of his personal servants 61 and a devout soldier from among those who served him, 62 10:8 and when he had explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.
10:9 About noon 63 the next day, while they were on their way and approaching 64 the city, Peter went up on the roof 65 to pray. 10:10 He became hungry and wanted to eat, but while they were preparing the meal, a trance came over him. 66 10:11 He 67 saw heaven 68 opened 69 and an object something like a large sheet 70 descending, 71 being let down to earth 72 by its four corners. 10:12 In it 73 were all kinds of four-footed animals and reptiles 74 of the earth and wild birds. 75 10:13 Then 76 a voice said 77 to him, “Get up, Peter; slaughter 78 and eat!” 10:14 But Peter said, “Certainly not, Lord, for I have never eaten anything defiled and ritually unclean!” 79 10:15 The voice 80 spoke to him again, a second time, “What God has made clean, you must not consider 81 ritually unclean!” 82 10:16 This happened three times, and immediately the object was taken up into heaven. 83
10:17 Now while Peter was puzzling over 84 what the vision he had seen could signify, the men sent by Cornelius had learned where Simon’s house was 85 and approached 86 the gate. 10:18 They 87 called out to ask if Simon, known as Peter, 88 was staying there as a guest. 10:19 While Peter was still thinking seriously about 89 the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Look! Three men are looking for you. 10:20 But get up, 90 go down, and accompany them without hesitation, 91 because I have sent them.” 10:21 So Peter went down 92 to the men and said, “Here I am, 93 the person you’re looking for. Why have you come?” 10:22 They said, “Cornelius the centurion, 94 a righteous 95 and God-fearing man, well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, 96 was directed by a holy angel to summon you to his house and to hear a message 97 from you.” 10:23 So Peter 98 invited them in and entertained them as guests.
On the next day he got up and set out 99 with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa 100 accompanied him. 10:24 The following day 101 he entered Caesarea. 102 Now Cornelius was waiting anxiously 103 for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 10:25 So when 104 Peter came in, Cornelius met 105 him, fell 106 at his feet, and worshiped 107 him. 10:26 But Peter helped him up, 108 saying, “Stand up. I too am a mere mortal.” 109 10:27 Peter 110 continued talking with him as he went in, and he found many people gathered together. 111 10:28 He said to them, “You know that 112 it is unlawful 113 for a Jew 114 to associate with or visit a Gentile, 115 yet God has shown me that I should call no person 116 defiled or ritually unclean. 117 10:29 Therefore when you sent for me, 118 I came without any objection. Now may I ask why 119 you sent for me?” 10:30 Cornelius 120 replied, 121 “Four days ago at this very hour, at three o’clock in the afternoon, 122 I was praying in my house, and suddenly 123 a man in shining clothing stood before me 10:31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your acts of charity 124 have been remembered before God. 125 10:32 Therefore send to Joppa and summon Simon, who is called Peter. This man is staying as a guest in the house of Simon the tanner, 126 by the sea.’ 10:33 Therefore I sent for you at once, and you were kind enough to come. 127 So now we are all here in the presence of God 128 to listen 129 to everything the Lord has commanded you to say to us.” 130
10:34 Then Peter started speaking: 131 “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism in dealing with people, 132 10:35 but in every nation 133 the person who fears him 134 and does what is right 135 is welcomed before him. 10:36 You know 136 the message 137 he sent to the people 138 of Israel, proclaiming the good news of peace 139 through 140 Jesus Christ 141 (he is Lord 142 of all) – 10:37 you know what happened throughout Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 143 10:38 with respect to Jesus from Nazareth, 144 that 145 God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power. He 146 went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, 147 because God was with him. 148 10:39 We 149 are witnesses of all the things he did both in Judea 150 and in Jerusalem. 151 They 152 killed him by hanging him on a tree, 153 10:40 but 154 God raised him up on the third day and caused him to be seen, 155 10:41 not by all the people, but by us, the witnesses God had already chosen, 156 who ate and drank 157 with him after he rose from the dead. 10:42 He 158 commanded us to preach to the people and to warn 159 them 160 that he is the one 161 appointed 162 by God as judge 163 of the living and the dead. 10:43 About him all the prophets testify, 164 that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins 165 through his name.”
10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on 166 all those who heard the message. 167 10:45 The 168 circumcised believers 169 who had accompanied Peter were greatly astonished 170 that 171 the gift of the Holy Spirit 172 had been poured out 173 even on the Gentiles, 10:46 for they heard them speaking in tongues and praising 174 God. Then Peter said, 10:47 “No one can withhold the water for these people to be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, 175 can he?” 176 10:48 So he gave orders to have them baptized 177 in the name of Jesus Christ. 178 Then they asked him to stay for several days.
11:1 Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles too had accepted 179 the word of God. 180 11:2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, 181 the circumcised believers 182 took issue with 183 him,
[9:32] 1 tn Grk “Now it happened that.” The introductory phrase ἐγένετο (egeneto, “it happened that”), common in Luke (69 times) and Acts (54 times), is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.
[9:32] 2 tn Grk “As Peter was going through all [the places],” which is somewhat awkward in English. The meaning is best expressed by a phrase like “going around from place to place” or “traveling around from place to place.”
[9:32] 3 sn Lydda was a city northwest of Jerusalem on the way to Joppa. It was about 10.5 miles (17 km) southeast of Joppa.
[9:33] 4 tn Since the participle κατακείμενον (katakeimenon), an adjectival participle modifying Αἰνέαν (Ainean), has been translated into English as a relative clause (“who had been confined to a mattress”), it would be awkward to follow with a second relative clause (Grk “who was paralyzed”). Furthermore, the relative pronoun here has virtually a causal force, giving the reason for confinement to the mattress, so it is best translated “because.”
[9:34] 5 tn Grk “And Peter.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
[9:34] 6 tc ‡ Several variants occur at this juncture. Some of the earliest and best witnesses (Ì74 א B* C Ψ 33vid Didpt) read “Jesus Christ” (᾿Ιησοῦς Χριστός, Ihsou" Cristo"); others ([A] 36 1175 it) have “the Lord Jesus Christ” (ὁ κύριος ᾿Ιησοῦς Χριστός, Jo kurio" Ihsou" Cristo"); a few read simply ὁ Χριστός (614 1241 1505); the majority of
[9:34] 7 tn The translation “make your own bed” for στρῶσον σεαυτῷ (strwson seautw) is given by BDAG 949 s.v. στρωννύω 1. Naturally this involves some adaptation, since a pallet or mat would not be ‘made up’ in the sense that a modern bed would be. The idea may be closer to “straighten” or “rearrange,” and the NIV’s “take care of your mat” attempts to reflect this, although this too probably conveys a slightly different idea to the modern English reader.
[9:35] 8 tn Grk “And all.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
[9:35] 9 sn Lydda was a city northwest of Jerusalem on the way to Joppa.
[9:35] 10 sn Sharon refers to the plain of Sharon, a region along the coast of Palestine.
[9:35] 11 tn Repetition of the pronoun “they” as subject of ἐπέστρεψαν (epestreyan) is not strictly necessary in English, but emphasizes slightly the resultative nature of the final clause: They turned to the Lord as a result of seeing Aeneas after he was healed.
[9:35] 12 sn They turned. To “turn” is a good summary term for the response to the gospel.
[9:36] 13 sn Joppa was a seaport on the Philistine coast, in the same location as modern Jaffa. “Though Joppa never became a major seaport, it was of some importance as a logistical base and an outlet to the Mediterranean” (A. F. Rainey, ISBE 2:1118-19).
[9:36] 14 tn Grk “which being translated is called.” In English this would normally be expressed “which is translated as” or “which in translation means.” The second option is given by L&N 33.145.
[9:36] 15 sn This is a parenthetical note by the author. Dorcas is the Greek translation of the Aramaic name Tabitha. Dorcas in Greek means “gazelle” or “deer.”
[9:36] 16 tn Or “and helping the poor.” Grk “She was full of good deeds and acts of charity which she was continually doing.” Since it is somewhat redundant in English to say “she was full of good deeds…which she was continually doing,” the translation has been simplified to “she was continually doing good deeds and acts of charity.” The imperfect verb ἐποίει (epoiei) has been translated as a progressive imperfect (“was continually doing”).
[9:37] 17 tn Grk “It happened that in those days.” The introductory phrase ἐγένετο (egeneto, “it happened that”), common in Luke (69 times) and Acts (54 times), is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.
[9:37] 18 tn Grk “becoming sick, she died.” The participle ἀσθενήσασαν (asqenhsasan) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
[9:37] 19 tn The participle λούσαντες (lousante") is taken temporally.
[9:37] 20 tn Grk “washed her,” but the reference is to her corpse.
[9:38] 21 sn Lydda was a city northwest of Jerusalem on the way to Joppa.
[9:38] 22 tn Grk “Do not delay to come to us.” It is somewhat smoother to say in English, “Come to us without delay.”
[9:39] 23 tn Grk “who.” The relative clause makes for awkward English style here, so the following clause was made coordinate with the conjunction “and” supplied in place of the Greek relative pronoun.
[9:39] 24 tn The participle παραγενόμενον (paragenomenon) is taken temporally.
[9:39] 25 tn Grk “and all.” Because of the length of the Greek sentence, the conjunction καί (kai) has not been translated here. Instead a new English sentence is begun.
[9:39] 26 tn The word “him” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.
[9:39] 27 tn Or “shirts” (a long garment worn under the cloak next to the skin). The name for this garment (χιτών, citwn) presents some difficulty in translation. Most modern readers would not understand what a ‘tunic’ was any more than they would be familiar with a ‘chiton.’ On the other hand attempts to find a modern equivalent are also a problem: “shirt” conveys the idea of a much shorter garment that covers only the upper body, and “undergarment” (given the styles of modern underwear) is more misleading still. “Tunic” was therefore employed, but with a note to explain its nature.
[9:39] 28 tn Grk “and garments,” referring here to other types of clothing besides the tunics just mentioned.
[9:39] 29 tn The verb ἐποίει (epoiei) has been translated as a customary imperfect.
[9:40] 30 tn Grk “Peter, sending them all outside, knelt down.” The participle ἐκβαλών (ekbalwn) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
[9:40] 31 tn Grk “and kneeling down,” but καί (kai) has not been translated since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more. Instead the “and” is placed before the verb προσηύξατο (proshuxato, “and prayed”). The participle θείς (qeis) is taken as a participle of attendant circumstance.
[9:40] 32 tn Grk “and turning.” Because of the length of the Greek sentence, the conjunction καί (kai) has not been translated here. Instead a new English sentence is begun.
[9:40] 33 sn She sat up. This event is told much like Luke 8:49-56 and Mark 5:35-43. Peter’s ministry mirrored that of Jesus.
[9:41] 34 tn Grk “Giving her his hand, he helped her.” The participle δούς (dous) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
[9:41] 35 tn Grk “Then calling the saints…he presented her.” The participle φωνήσας (fwnhsa") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style; it could also be taken temporally (“After he called”).
[9:42] 36 tn Or “known all over.” BDAG 511 s.v. κατά A.1.c. has “became known throughout all Joppa” for γνωστὸν γενέσθαι καθ᾿ ὅλης ᾿Ιόππης (gnwston genesqai kaq’ {olh" Iopph").
[9:42] 37 sn This became known…many believed in the Lord. This is a “sign” miracle that pictures how the Lord can give life.
[9:43] 38 tn Grk “So it happened that.” The introductory phrase ἐγένετο (egeneto, “it happened that”), common in Luke (69 times) and Acts (54 times), is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.
[9:43] 39 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Peter) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[9:43] 40 tn Grk “with a certain Simon.”
[9:43] 41 tn Or “with a certain Simon Berseus.” Although most modern English translations treat βυρσεῖ (bursei) as Simon’s profession (“Simon the tanner”), it is possible that the word is actually Simon’s surname (“Simon Berseus” or “Simon Tanner”). BDAG 185 s.v. βυρσεύς regards it as a surname. See also MM 118.
[10:1] 42 sn Caesarea was a city on the coast of Palestine south of Mount Carmel (not Caesarea Philippi). It was known as “Caesarea by the sea” (BDAG 499 s.v. Καισάρεια 2). Largely Gentile, it was a center of Roman administration and the location of many of Herod the Great’s building projects (Josephus, Ant. 15.9.6 [15.331-341]).
[10:1] 43 sn A centurion was a noncommissioned officer in the Roman army or one of the auxiliary territorial armies, commanding a centuria of (nominally) 100 men. The responsibilities of centurions were broadly similar to modern junior officers, but there was a wide gap in social status between them and officers, and relatively few were promoted beyond the rank of senior centurion. The Roman troops stationed in Judea were auxiliaries, who would normally be rewarded with Roman citizenship after 25 years of service. Some of the centurions may have served originally in the Roman legions (regular army) and thus gained their citizenship at enlistment. Others may have inherited it, like Paul.
[10:1] 44 sn A cohort was a Roman military unit of about 600 soldiers, one-tenth of a legion (BDAG 936 s.v. σπεῖρα). The Italian Cohort has been identified as cohors II Italica which is known to have been stationed in Syria in
[10:2] 45 tn In the Greek text this represents a continuation of the previous sentence. Because of the tendency of contemporary English to use shorter sentences, a new sentence was begun here in the translation.
[10:2] 46 sn The description of Cornelius as a devout, God-fearing man probably means that he belonged to the category called “God-fearers,” Gentiles who worshiped the God of Israel and in many cases kept the Mosaic law, but did not take the final step of circumcision necessary to become a proselyte to Judaism. See further K. G. Kuhn, TDNT 6:732-34, 43-44, and Sir 11:17; 27:11; 39:27.
[10:2] 47 tn Or “gave many gifts to the poor.” This was known as “giving alms,” or acts of mercy (Sir 7:10; BDAG 315-16 s.v. ἐλεημοσύνη).
[10:3] 48 tn Grk “at about the ninth hour of the day.” This would be the time for afternoon prayer.
[10:3] 49 tn Or “the angel of God.” Linguistically, “angel of God” is the same in both testaments (and thus, he is either “an angel of God” or “the angel of God” in both testaments). For arguments and implications, see ExSyn 252; M. J. Davidson, “Angels,” DJG, 9; W. G. MacDonald argues for “an angel” in both testaments: “Christology and ‘The Angel of the Lord’,” Current Issues in Biblical and Patristic Interpretation, 324-35.
[10:3] 50 tn The participles εἰσελθόντα (eiselqonta) and εἰπόντα (eiponta) are accusative, and thus best taken as adjectival participles modifying ἄγγελον (angelon): “an angel who came in and said.”
[10:4] 51 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Cornelius) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[10:4] 52 tn Grk “said,” but in response to the angel’s address, “replied” is better English style.
[10:4] 53 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the angel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[10:4] 54 tn Or “your gifts to the needy.”
[10:4] 55 sn The language used in the expression gone up as a memorial before God parallels what one would say of acceptable sacrifices (Ps 141:2; Sir 35:6; 50:16).
[10:5] 56 tn Grk “And now.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
[10:5] 57 sn Joppa was a seaport on the Philistine coast, in the same location as modern Jaffa.
[10:5] 58 tn Grk “a certain Simon.”
[10:6] 59 tn Or “with a certain Simon Berseus.” Although most modern English translations treat βυρσεῖ (bursei) as Simon’s profession (“Simon the tanner”), it is possible that the word is actually Simon’s surname (“Simon Berseus” or “Simon Tanner”). BDAG 185 s.v. βυρσεύς regards it as a surname. See also MM 118.
[10:7] 60 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Cornelius) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[10:7] 61 tn Or “domestic servants.” The Greek word here is οἰκέτης (oiketh"), which technically refers to a member of the household, but usually means a household servant (slave) or personal servant rather than a field laborer.
[10:7] 62 tn The meaning of the genitive participle προσκαρτερούντων (proskarterountwn) could either be “a soldier from the ranks of those who served him” (referring to his entire command) or “a soldier from among his personal staff” (referring to a group of soldiers who were his personal attendants). The translation “from among those who served him” is general enough to cover either possibility.
[10:9] 63 tn Grk “about the sixth hour.”
[10:9] 64 tn The participles ὁδοιπορούντων (Jodoiporountwn, “while they were on their way”) and ἐγγιζόντων (engizontwn, “approaching”) have been translated as temporal participles.
[10:9] 65 sn Went up on the roof. Most of the roofs in the NT were flat roofs made of pounded dirt, sometimes mixed with lime or stones, supported by heavy wooden beams. They generally had an easy means of access, either a sturdy wooden ladder or stone stairway, sometimes on the outside of the house.
[10:10] 66 tn The traditional translation, “he fell into a trance,” is somewhat idiomatic; it is based on the textual variant ἐπέπεσεν (epepesen, “he fell”) found in the Byzantine text but almost certainly not original.
[10:11] 67 tn Grk “And he.” Because of the length of the Greek sentence, the conjunction καί (kai) has not been translated here. Instead a new English sentence is begun.
[10:11] 68 tn Or “the sky” (the same Greek word means both “heaven” and “sky”).
[10:11] 69 tn On the heavens “opening,” see Matt 3:16; Luke 3:21; Rev 19:11 (cf. BDAG 84 s.v. ἀνοίγω 2). This is the language of a vision or a revelatory act of God.
[10:11] 70 tn Or “a large linen cloth” (the term was used for the sail of a ship; BDAG 693 s.v. ὀθόνη).
[10:11] 71 tn Or “coming down.”
[10:11] 72 tn Or “to the ground.”
[10:12] 73 tn Grk “in which.” The relative pronoun was replaced by the pronoun “it,” and a new sentence was begun in the translation at this point to improve the English style.
[10:12] 74 tn Or “snakes.” Grk “creeping things.” According to L&N 4.51, in most biblical contexts the term (due to the influence of Hebrew classifications such as Gen 1:25-26, 30) included small four-footed animals like rats, mice, frogs, toads, salamanders, and lizards. In this context, however, where “creeping things” are contrasted with “four-footed animals,” the English word “reptiles,” which primarily but not exclusively designates snakes, is probably more appropriate. See also Gen 6:20, as well as the law making such creatures unclean food in Lev 11:2-47.
[10:12] 75 tn Grk “the birds of the sky” or “the birds of the heaven”; the Greek word οὐρανός (ouranos) may be translated either “sky” or “heaven,” depending on the context. The idiomatic expression “birds of the sky” refers to wild birds as opposed to domesticated fowl (cf. BDAG 809 s.v. πετεινόν).
[10:13] 76 tn Grk “And there came.” The introductory phrase ἐγένετο (egeneto, “it happened that”), common in Luke (69 times) and Acts (54 times), is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.
[10:13] 77 tn Grk “a voice to him”; the word “said” is not in the Greek text but is implied.
[10:13] 78 tn Or “kill.” Traditionally θῦσον (quson) is translated “kill,” but in the case of animals intended for food, “slaughter” is more appropriate.
[10:14] 79 tn Possibly there is a subtle distinction in meaning between κοινός (koinos) and ἀκάθαρτος (akaqarto") here, but according to L&N 53.39 it is difficult to determine precise differences in meaning based on existing contexts.
[10:15] 80 tn Grk “And the voice.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
[10:15] 82 sn For the significance of this vision see Mark 7:14-23; Rom 14:14; Eph 2:11-22. God directed this change in practice.
[10:16] 83 tn Or “into the sky” (the same Greek word means both “heaven” and “sky”).
[10:17] 84 tn Or “was greatly confused over.” The term means to be perplexed or at a loss (BDAG 235 s.v. διαπορέω).
[10:17] 85 tn Grk “having learned.” The participle διερωτήσαντες (dierwthsante") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
[10:17] 86 tn BDAG 418 s.v. ἐφίστημι 1 has “ἐπί τι approach or stand by someth. (Sir 41:24) Ac 10:17.”
[10:18] 87 tn Grk “and.” Because of the length of the Greek sentence, the conjunction καί (kai) has not been translated here. Instead a new English sentence is begun by supplying the pronoun “they” as the subject of the following verb.
[10:18] 88 tn Grk “Simon, the one called Peter.” This qualification was necessary because the owner of the house was also named Simon (Acts 9:43).
[10:19] 89 tn The translation “think seriously about” for διενθυμέομαι (dienqumeomai) is given in L&N 30.2. Peter was “pondering” the vision (BDAG 244 s.v.).
[10:20] 90 tn Grk “But getting up, go down.” The participle ἀναστάς (anastas) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
[10:20] 91 tn The term means “without doubting” or “without deliberation.” It is a term of conscience and discernment. In effect, Peter is to listen to them rather than hesitate (BDAG 231 s.v. διακρίνω 6).
[10:21] 92 tn Grk “Peter going down to the men, said.” The participle καταβάς (katabas) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
[10:21] 93 tn Grk “Behold, it is I whom you seek,” or “Behold, I am the one you seek.” “Here I am” is used to translate ἰδοὺ ἐγώ εἰμι (idou egw eimi).
[10:22] 94 sn See the note on the word centurion in 10:1.
[10:22] 96 tn The phrase τοῦ ἔθνους τῶν ᾿Ιουδαίων (tou eqnou" twn Ioudaiwn) is virtually a technical term for the Jewish nation (1 Macc 10:25; 11:30, 33; Josephus, Ant. 14.10.22 [14.248]). “All the Jewish people,” while another possible translation of the Greek phrase, does not convey the technical sense of a reference to the nation in English.
[10:22] 97 tn Grk “hear words.”
[10:23] 98 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Peter) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[10:23] 99 tn Or “went forth.”
[10:23] 100 sn Some of the brothers from Joppa. As v. 45 makes clear, there were Jewish Christians in this group of witnesses.
[10:24] 101 tn Grk “On the next day,” but since this phrase has already occurred in v. 23, it would be redundant in English to use it again here.
[10:24] 102 sn Caesarea was a city on the coast of Palestine south of Mount Carmel (not Caesarea Philippi).
[10:24] 103 tn Normally προσδοκάω (prosdokaw) means “to wait with apprehension or anxiety for something,” often with the implication of impending danger or trouble (L&N 25.228), but in this context the anxiety Cornelius would have felt came from the importance of the forthcoming message as announced by the angel.
[10:25] 104 tn Grk “So it happened that when.” The introductory phrase ἐγένετο (egeneto, “it happened that”), common in Luke (69 times) and Acts (54 times), is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.
[10:25] 105 tn Grk “meeting him.” The participle συναντήσας (sunanthsa") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
[10:25] 106 tn Grk “falling at his feet, worshiped.” The participle πεσών (peswn) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
[10:25] 107 sn When Cornelius worshiped Peter, it showed his piety and his respect for Peter, but it was an act based on ignorance, as Peter’s remark in v. 26 indicates.
[10:26] 108 tn BDAG 271 s.v. ἐγείρω 3 has “raise, help to rise….Stretched out Ac 10:26.”
[10:26] 109 tn Although it is certainly true that Peter was a “man,” here ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") has been translated as “mere mortal” because the emphasis in context is not on Peter’s maleness, but his humanity. Contrary to what Cornelius thought, Peter was not a god or an angelic being, but a mere mortal.
[10:27] 110 tn Grk “And he”; the referent (Peter) has been specified in the translation for clarity. Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
[10:27] 111 tn Or “many people assembled.”
[10:28] 112 tn Here ὡς (Jws) is used like ὅτι (Joti) to introduce indirect discourse (cf. BDAG 1105 s.v. ὡς 5).
[10:28] 113 tn This term is used of wanton or callously lawless acts (BDAG 24 s.v. ἀθέμιτος).
[10:28] 114 tn Grk “a Jewish man” (ἀνδρὶ ᾿Ιουδαίῳ, andri Ioudaiw).
[10:28] 115 tn Grk “a foreigner,” but in this context, “a non-Jew,” that is, a Gentile. This term speaks of intimate association (BDAG 556 s.v. κολλάω 2.b.α). On this Jewish view, see John 18:28, where a visit to a Gentile residence makes a Jewish person unclean.
[10:28] 116 tn This is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo").
[10:28] 117 tn Possibly there is a subtle distinction in meaning between κοινός (koinos) and ἀκάθαρτος (akaqartos) here, but according to L&N 53.39 it is difficult to determine precise differences in meaning based on existing contexts.
[10:29] 118 tn Grk “Therefore when I was sent for.” The passive participle μεταπεμφθείς (metapemfqei") has been taken temporally and converted to an active construction which is less awkward in English.
[10:29] 119 tn Grk “ask for what reason.”
[10:30] 120 tn Grk “And Cornelius.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
[10:30] 122 tn Grk “at the ninth hour.” Again, this is the hour of afternoon prayer.
[10:30] 123 tn Grk “and behold.” The interjection ἰδού (idou) is difficult at times to translate into English. Here it has been translated as “suddenly” to convey the force of Cornelius’ account of the angel’s appearance.
[10:31] 124 tn Or “your gifts to the needy.”
[10:31] 125 sn This statement is a paraphrase rather than an exact quotation of Acts 10:4.
[10:32] 126 tn Or “with a certain Simon Berseus.” Although most modern English translations treat βυρσεῖ (bursei) as Simon’s profession (“Simon the tanner”), it is possible that the word is actually Simon’s surname (“Simon Berseus” or “Simon Tanner”). BDAG 185 s.v. βυρσεύς regards it as a surname.
[10:33] 127 tn Grk “you have done well by coming.” The idiom καλῶς ποιεῖν (kalw" poiein) is translated “be kind enough to do someth.” by BDAG 505-6 s.v. καλῶς 4.a. The participle παραγενόμενος (paragenomeno") has been translated as an English infinitive due to the nature of the English idiom (“kind enough to” + infinitive).
[10:33] 128 tn The translation “we are here in the presence of God” for ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ πάρεσμεν (enwpion tou qeou paresmen) is given by BDAG 773 s.v. πάρειμι 1.a.
[10:33] 129 tn Or “to hear everything.”
[10:33] 130 tn The words “to say to us” are not in the Greek text, but are implied. Cornelius knows Peter is God’s representative, bringing God’s message.
[10:34] 131 tn Grk “Opening his mouth Peter said” (a Semitic idiom for beginning to speak in a somewhat formal manner). The participle ἀνοίξας (anoixa") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
[10:34] 132 tn Grk “God is not one who is a respecter of persons,” that is, “God is not one to show partiality” (cf. BDAG 887 s.v. προσωπολήμπτης). L&N 88.239 translates this verse “I realize that God does not show favoritism (in dealing with people).” The underlying Hebrew idiom includes the personal element (“respecter of persons”) so the phrase “in dealing with people” is included in the present translation. It fits very well with the following context and serves to emphasize the relational component of God’s lack of partiality. The latter is a major theme in the NT: Rom 2:11; Eph 2:11-22; Col 3:25; Jas 2:1; 1 Pet 1:17. This was the lesson of Peter’s vision.
[10:35] 133 sn See Luke 24:47.
[10:35] 134 tn Or “shows reverence for him.”
[10:35] 135 tn Grk “works righteousness”; the translation “does what is right” for this phrase in this verse is given by L&N 25.85.
[10:36] 136 tn The subject and verb (“you know”) do not actually occur until the following verse, but have been repeated here because of the requirements of English word order.
[10:36] 137 tn Grk “the word.”
[10:36] 138 tn Grk “to the sons.”
[10:36] 139 sn Peace is a key OT concept: Isa 52:7; Nah 1:15; also for Luke: Luke 1:79; 2:14; Acts 9:31. See also the similar phrase in Eph 2:17.
[10:36] 141 tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”
[10:36] 142 sn He is Lord of all. Though a parenthetical remark, this is the theological key to the speech. Jesus is Lord of all, so the gospel can go to all. The rest of the speech proclaims Jesus’ authority.
[10:37] 143 tn Or “proclaimed.”
[10:38] 144 sn The somewhat awkward naming of Jesus as from Nazareth here is actually emphatic. He is the key subject of these key events.
[10:38] 145 tn Or “how.” The use of ὡς (Jws) as an equivalent to ὅτι (Joti) to introduce indirect or even direct discourse is well documented. BDAG 1105 s.v. ὡς 5 lists Acts 10:28 in this category.
[10:38] 146 tn Grk “power, who.” The relative pronoun was replaced by the pronoun “he,” and a new sentence was begun in the translation at this point to improve the English style, due to the length of the sentence in Greek.
[10:38] 147 tn The translation “healing all who were oppressed by the devil” is given in L&N 22.22.
[10:39] 149 tn Grk “And we.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
[10:39] 150 tn Grk “the land of the Jews,” but this is similar to the phrase used as the name of the province of Judea in 1 Macc 8:3 (see BDAG 1093-94 s.v. χώρα 2.b).
[10:39] 151 map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.
[10:39] 152 tn Grk “in Jerusalem, whom they killed.” The relative pronoun was replaced by the pronoun “him” and a new sentence was begun in the translation at this point to improve the English style, due to the length of the sentence in Greek.
[10:39] 153 tn Or “by crucifying him” (“hang on a tree” is by the time of the 1st century an idiom for crucifixion). The allusion is to the judgment against Jesus as a rebellious figure, appealing to the language of Deut 21:23. The Jewish leadership has badly “misjudged” Jesus.
[10:40] 154 tn The conjunction “but” is not in the Greek text, but the contrast is clearly implied in the context. This is technically asyndeton, or lack of a connective, in Greek.
[10:40] 155 tn Grk “and granted that he should become visible.” The literal Greek idiom is somewhat awkward in English. L&N 24.22 offers the translation “caused him to be seen” for this verse.
[10:41] 156 tn Or “the witnesses God had previously chosen.” See Acts 1:8.
[10:41] 157 sn Ate and drank. See Luke 24:35-49.
[10:42] 158 tn Grk “and he.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
[10:42] 159 tn The verb διαμαρτύρομαι (diamarturomai) can mean “warn,” and such a meaning is highly probable in this context where a reference to the judgment of both the living and the dead is present. The more general meaning “to testify solemnly” does not capture this nuance.
[10:42] 160 tn The word “them” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.
[10:42] 161 tn Grk “that this one is the one,” but this is awkward in English and has been simplified to “that he is the one.”
[10:42] 162 tn Or “designated.” BDAG 723 s.v. ὁρίζω 2.b has “the one appointed by God as judge” for this phrase.
[10:42] 163 sn Jesus has divine authority as judge over the living and the dead: Acts 17:26-31; Rom 14:9; 1 Thess 5:9-10; 1 Tim 4:1; 1 Pet 4:5.
[10:43] 164 tn Or “All the prophets testify about him.” Although modern English translations tend to place “about him” after “testify” (so NIV, NRSV) the phrase “about him” has been left at the beginning of v. 43 for emphatic reasons.
[10:43] 165 sn Forgiveness of sins. See Luke 24:47; also Acts 14:23; 19:4; 9:42; 11:17; 16:31. The gospel is present in the prophetic promise, Rom 1:1-7. The message is in continuity with the ancient hope.
[10:44] 166 tn Or “came down on.” God now acted to confirm the point of Peter’s speech.
[10:45] 168 tn Grk “And the.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
[10:45] 169 tn Or “The Jewish Christians”; Grk “The believers from the circumcision.”
[10:45] 170 sn The Jewish Christians who were with Peter were greatly astonished because they thought the promise of the Spirit would be limited only to those of Israel. God’s plan was taking on fresh dimensions even as it was a reflection of what the prophets had promised.
[10:45] 172 tn That is, the gift consisting of the Holy Spirit. Here τοῦ πνεύματος (tou pneumato") is a genitive of apposition; the gift consists of the Spirit.
[10:45] 173 sn The gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out. Compare the account in Acts 2, especially 2:33. Note also Joel 2:17-21 and Acts 11:15-18.
[10:46] 174 tn Or “extolling,” “magnifying.”
[10:47] 175 tn Grk “just as also we.” The auxiliary verb in English must be supplied. This could be either “have” (NIV, NRSV) or “did” (NASB). “Did” is preferred here because the comparison Peter is making concerns not just the fact of the present possession of the Spirit (“they received the Spirit we now possess”), but the manner in which the Gentiles in Cornelius’ house received the Spirit (“they received the Spirit in the same manner we did [on the day of Pentecost]”).
[10:47] 176 tn The Greek construction anticipates a negative reply which is indicated in the translation by the ‘tag’ question, “can he?” The question is rhetorical. Peter was saying these Gentiles should be baptized since God had confirmed they were his.
[10:48] 177 tn The Greek construction (passive infinitive with accusative subject) could be translated either “he ordered them to be baptized” or “he ordered that they be baptized,” but the implication in English in either case is that Peter was giving orders to the Gentiles in Cornelius’ house, telling them to get baptized. It is much more likely in the context that Peter was ordering those Jewish Christians who accompanied him to baptize the new Gentile converts. They would doubtless have still had misgivings even after witnessing the outpouring of the Spirit and hearing the tongues. It took Peter’s apostolic authority (“ordered”) to convince them to perform the baptisms.
[10:48] 178 tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.” Jesus’ right to judge as the provider of forgiveness is highlighted here.
[11:1] 179 tn See BDAG 221 s.v. δέχομαι 5 for this translation of ἐδέξαντο (edexanto) here.
[11:1] 180 tn Here the phrase “word of God” is another way to describe the gospel (note the preceding verb ἐδέξαντο, edexanto, “accepted”). The phrase could also be translated “the word [message] from God.”
[11:2] 181 map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.
[11:2] 182 tn Or “the Jewish Christians”; Grk “those of the circumcision.” Within the larger group of Christians were some whose loyalties ran along ethnic-religious lines.
[11:2] 183 tn Or “believers disputed with,” “believers criticized” (BDAG 231 s.v. διακρίνω 5.b).
