Discovery BoxActs 9:32--12:24
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, 11:3 saying, “You went to 184 uncircumcised men and shared a meal with 185 them.” 11:4 But Peter began and explained it to them point by point, 186 saying, 11:5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, 187 an object something like a large sheet descending, 188 being let down from heaven 189 by its four corners, and it came to me. 11:6 As I stared 190 I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, reptiles, 191 and wild birds. 192 11:7 I also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Get up, Peter; slaughter 193 and eat!’ 11:8 But I said, ‘Certainly not, Lord, for nothing defiled or ritually unclean 194 has ever entered my mouth!’ 11:9 But the voice replied a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, you must not consider 195 ritually unclean!’ 11:10 This happened three times, and then everything was pulled up to heaven again. 11:11 At that very moment, 196 three men sent to me from Caesarea 197 approached 198 the house where we were staying. 199 11:12 The Spirit told me to accompany them without hesitation. These six brothers 200 also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. 11:13 He informed us how he had seen an angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa and summon Simon, who is called Peter, 11:14 who will speak a message 201 to you by which you and your entire household will be saved.’ 11:15 Then as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on 202 them just as he did 203 on us at the beginning. 204 11:16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, 205 as he used to say, 206 ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 207 11:17 Therefore if God 208 gave them the same gift 209 as he also gave us after believing 210 in the Lord Jesus Christ, 211 who was I to hinder 212 God?” 11:18 When they heard this, 213 they ceased their objections 214 and praised 215 God, saying, “So then, God has granted the repentance 216 that leads to life even to the Gentiles.” 217
11:19 Now those who had been scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen 218 went as far as 219 Phoenicia, 220 Cyprus, 221 and Antioch, 222 speaking the message 223 to no one but Jews. 11:20 But there were some men from Cyprus 224 and Cyrene 225 among them who came 226 to Antioch 227 and began to speak to the Greeks 228 too, proclaiming the good news of the Lord Jesus. 11:21 The 229 hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed 230 turned 231 to the Lord. 11:22 A report 232 about them came to the attention 233 of the church in Jerusalem, 234 and they sent Barnabas 235 to Antioch. 236 11:23 When 237 he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain true 238 to the Lord with devoted hearts, 239 11:24 because he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and a significant number of people 240 were brought to the Lord. 11:25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to look for Saul, 11:26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. 241 So 242 for a whole year Barnabas and Saul 243 met with the church and taught a significant number of people. 244 Now it was in Antioch 245 that the disciples were first called Christians. 246
11:27 At that time 247 some 248 prophets 249 came down 250 from Jerusalem 251 to Antioch. 252 11:28 One of them, named Agabus, got up 253 and predicted 254 by the Spirit that a severe 255 famine 256 was about to come over the whole inhabited world. 257 (This 258 took place during the reign of Claudius.) 259 11:29 So the disciples, each in accordance with his financial ability, 260 decided 261 to send relief 262 to the brothers living in Judea. 11:30 They did so, 263 sending their financial aid 264 to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
12:1 About that time King Herod 265 laid hands on 266 some from the church to harm them. 267 12:2 He had James, the brother of John, executed with a sword. 268 12:3 When he saw that this pleased the Jews, 269 he proceeded to arrest Peter too. (This took place during the feast of Unleavened Bread.) 270 12:4 When he had seized him, he put him in prison, handing him over to four squads 271 of soldiers to guard him. Herod 272 planned 273 to bring him out for public trial 274 after the Passover. 12:5 So Peter was kept in prison, but those in the church were earnestly 275 praying to God for him. 276 12:6 On that very night before Herod was going to bring him out for trial, 277 Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, while 278 guards in front of the door were keeping watch 279 over the prison. 12:7 Suddenly 280 an angel of the Lord 281 appeared, and a light shone in the prison cell. He struck 282 Peter on the side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly!” And the chains fell off Peter’s 283 wrists. 284 12:8 The angel said to him, “Fasten your belt 285 and put on your sandals.” Peter 286 did so. Then the angel 287 said to him, “Put on your cloak 288 and follow me.” 12:9 Peter 289 went out 290 and followed him; 291 he did not realize that what was happening through the angel was real, 292 but thought he was seeing a vision. 12:10 After they had passed the first and second guards, 293 they came to the iron 294 gate leading into the city. It 295 opened for them by itself, 296 and they went outside and walked down one narrow street, 297 when at once the angel left him. 12:11 When 298 Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued 299 me from the hand 300 of Herod 301 and from everything the Jewish people 302 were expecting to happen.”
12:12 When Peter 303 realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark, 304 where many people had gathered together and were praying. 12:13 When he knocked at the door of the outer gate, a slave girl named Rhoda answered. 305 12:14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she did not open the gate, but ran back in and told 306 them 307 that Peter was standing at the gate. 12:15 But they said to her, “You’ve lost your mind!” 308 But she kept insisting that it was Peter, 309 and they kept saying, 310 “It is his angel!” 311 12:16 Now Peter continued knocking, and when they opened the door 312 and saw him, they were greatly astonished. 313 12:17 He motioned to them 314 with his hand to be quiet and then related 315 how the Lord had brought 316 him out of the prison. He said, “Tell James and the brothers these things,” and then he left and went to another place. 317
12:18 At daybreak 318 there was great consternation 319 among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 12:19 When Herod 320 had searched 321 for him and did not find him, he questioned 322 the guards and commanded that they be led away to execution. 323 Then 324 Herod 325 went down from Judea to Caesarea 326 and stayed there.
12:20 Now Herod 327 was having an angry quarrel 328 with the people of Tyre 329 and Sidon. 330 So they joined together 331 and presented themselves before him. And after convincing 332 Blastus, the king’s personal assistant, 333 to help them, 334 they asked for peace, 335 because their country’s food supply was provided by the king’s country. 12:21 On a day determined in advance, Herod 336 put on his royal robes, 337 sat down on the judgment seat, 338 and made a speech 339 to them. 12:22 But the crowd 340 began to shout, 341 “The voice of a god, 342 and not of a man!” 12:23 Immediately an angel of the Lord 343 struck 344 Herod 345 down because he did not give the glory to God, and he was eaten by worms and died. 346 12:24 But the word of God 347 kept on increasing 348 and multiplying.
[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).
[11:3] 184 tn Or “You were a guest in the home of” (according to L&N 23.12).
[11:3] 185 tn Or “and ate with.” It was table fellowship and the possibility of eating unclean food that disturbed them.
[11:4] 186 tn Or “to them in logical sequence,” “to them in order.” BDAG 490 s.v. καθεξῆς has “explain to someone point by point” for this phrase. This is the same term used in Luke 1:3.
[11:5] 187 tn This term describes a supernatural vision and reflects a clear distinction from something imagined (BDAG 718 s.v. ὅραμα 1). Peter repeated the story virtually word for word through v. 13. The repetition with this degree of detail shows the event’s importance.
[11:5] 188 tn Or “coming down.”
[11:5] 189 tn Or “the sky” (the same Greek word means both “heaven” and “sky”).
[11:6] 190 tn Grk “Staring I looked into it.” The participle ἀτενίσας (atenisa") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
[11:6] 191 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.
[11:6] 192 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).
[11:7] 193 tn Or “kill.” Traditionally θῦσον (quson) is translated “kill,” but in the case of animals intended for food, “slaughter” is more appropriate.
[11:8] 194 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. The sentiment Peter expressed is like Ezek 4:14.
[11:9] 195 tn Or “declare.” The wording matches Acts 10:15.
[11:11] 196 tn Grk “And behold.”
[11:11] 197 sn Caesarea was a city on the coast of Palestine south of Mount Carmel (not Caesarea Philippi). See the note on Caesarea in Acts 10:1.
[11:11] 198 tn See BDAG 418 s.v. ἐφίστημι 1 for this meaning for ἐπέστησαν (epesthsan) here.
[11:11] 199 tn The word “staying” is not in the Greek text but is implied.
[11:12] 200 sn Six witnesses is three times more than what would normally be required. They could confirm the events were not misrepresented by Peter.
[11:14] 201 tn Grk “words” (ῥήματα, rJhmata), but in this context the overall message is meant rather than the individual words.
[11:15] 202 tn Or “came down on.”
[11:15] 203 tn The words “he did” are not in the Greek text but are implied. They form an ellipsis which must be supplied for the modern English reader. Some modern translations supply “it” rather than “he” because the gender of πνεῦμα (pneuma) in Greek is neuter, but there are sufficient NT contexts that use masculine pronouns to refer to the Spirit to justify the use of a masculine pronoun here in the translation.
[11:15] 204 sn At the beginning is an allusion to Acts 2 and Pentecost. The beginning is a way to refer to the start of the period of the realization of Jesus’ promise in Luke 24:49 and Acts 1:8. Peter was arguing that God gave Gentiles the same benefits he gave the Jews at the start of their mission.
[11:16] 205 sn The word of the Lord is a technical expression in OT literature, often referring to a divine prophetic utterance (e.g., Gen 15:1, Isa 1:10, Jonah 1:1). In the NT it occurs 15 times: 3 times as ῥῆμα τοῦ κυρίου (rJhma tou kuriou; here and in Luke 22:61, 1 Pet 1:25) and 12 times as λόγος τοῦ κυρίου (logo" tou kuriou; Acts 8:25; 13:44, 48, 49; 15:35, 36; 16:32; 19:10, 20; 1 Thess 1:8, 4:15; 2 Thess 3:1). As in the OT, this phrase focuses on the prophetic nature and divine origin of what has been said.
[11:16] 206 tn The imperfect verb ἔλεγεν (elegen) is taken as a customary imperfect.
[11:16] 207 sn John…Spirit. This remark repeats Acts 1:5.
[11:17] 208 tc Codex Bezae (D) and {a few other Western witnesses} here lack ὁ θεός (Jo qeo", “God”), perhaps because these scribes considered the Holy Spirit to be the gift of Christ rather than the gift of God; thus leaving the subject implicit would naturally draw the reader back to v. 16 to see the Lord Jesus as the bestower of the Spirit.
[11:17] 209 sn That is, the same gift of the Holy Spirit.
[11:17] 210 tn Or “gave us when we believed”; or “gave us after we believed”; or “gave us who believed”; or “gave them when they believed the same gift as he also gave us.” The aorist dative plural participle πιστεύσασιν (pisteusasin) can be understood in several different ways: (1) It could modify ἡμῖν (Jhmin, “us”) or αὐτοῖς (autois, “them”). Proximity (it immediately follows ἡμῖν) would suggest that it belongs with ἡμῖν, so the last option (“gave them when they believed the same gift he also gave us”) is less likely. (2) The participle could be either adverbial or adjectival, modifying ἡμῖν. This decision is primarily a contextual one. The point Peter made is not whether or not the Gentiles believed, since both groups (“us” and “they”) had believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. The point was whether or not the Gentiles received the Spirit when they believed, just as Jewish Christians had received the Spirit on the day of Pentecost when they believed. Translated as an adjectival participle, πιστεύσασιν only affirms the fact of belief, however, and raises somewhat of a theological problem if one realizes, “Would God have given the Gentiles the Spirit if they had not believed?” (In other words, belief in itself is a theological prerequisite for receiving the Spirit. As such, in the case of the Gentiles, it is assumed.) Thus in context it makes more sense to understand the participle πιστεύσασιν as adverbial, related to the time of belief in connection with the giving of the Spirit. (3) The participle πιστεύσασιν as a temporal participle can refer to action antecedent to the action of the main verb ἔδωκεν (edwken) or contemporaneous with it. Logically, at least, the gift of the Spirit followed belief in the case of the original Christians, who had believed before the day of Pentecost. In the case of Cornelius and his household, belief and the reception of the Spirit were virtually simultaneous. One can argue that Peter is “summarizing” the experience of Jewish Christians, and therefore the actions of belief and reception of the Spirit, while historically separate, have been “telescoped” into one (“gave them the same gift as he gave us when we believed”), but to be technically accurate the participle πιστεύσασιν should be translated “gave them the same gift as he also gave us after we believed.” A number of these problems can be avoided, however, by using a translation in English that maintains some of the ambiguity of the Greek original. Thus “if God gave them the same gift as he also gave us after believing” is used, where the phrase “after believing” can refer either to “them” or to “us,” or both.
[11:17] 211 tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”
[11:17] 212 tn Or “prevent,” “forbid” (BDAG 580 s.v. κωλύω 1.a). Peter’s point is that he will not stand in the way of God.
[11:18] 213 tn Grk “these things.”
[11:18] 214 tn Or “became silent,” but this would create an apparent contradiction with the subsequent action of praising God. The point, in context, is that they ceased objecting to what Peter had done.
[11:18] 215 tn Or “glorified.”
[11:18] 216 sn Here the summary phrase for responding to the gospel is the repentance that leads to life. Note how the presence of life is tied to the presence of the Spirit (cf. John 4:7-42; 7:37-39).
[11:18] 217 sn In the Greek text the phrase even to the Gentiles is in an emphatic position.
[11:19] 218 sn The phrase over Stephen means in connection with Stephen’s death. See Acts 8:1b-3.
[11:19] 219 tn Or “finally reached.” The translations “went as far as” and “finally reached” for διῆλθον (dihlqon) in this verse are given in L&N 15.17.
[11:19] 220 sn Phoenicia was an area along the Mediterranean coast north of Palestine.
[11:19] 221 tn Grk “and Cyprus,” 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.
[11:19] 222 sn Antioch was a city in Syria (not Antioch in Pisidia). This was probably the third largest city in the Greco-Roman world (Alexandria in Egypt was the second largest, and Rome the largest) and was the seat of government in Syria. Five miles away was a major temple to Artemis, Apollo, and Astarte, major pagan deities.
[11:20] 224 sn Cyprus was a large island in the Mediterranean off the south coast of Asia Minor.
[11:20] 225 sn Cyrene was a city on the northern African coast west of Egypt.
[11:20] 226 tn Grk “among them, coming to Antioch began to speak.” The participle ἐλθόντες (elqonte") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
[11:20] 227 sn Antioch was a city in Syria (not Antioch in Pisidia). See the note in 11:19.
[11:20] 228 sn The statement that some men from Cyprus and Cyrene…began to speak to the Greeks shows that Peter’s experience of reaching out to the Gentiles was not unique.
[11:21] 229 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.
[11:21] 230 tn The participle πιστεύσας (pisteusa") is articular and thus cannot be adverbial. It is adjectival, modifying ἀριθμός (ariqmo"), but has been translated into English as a relative clause (“who believed”).
[11:21] 231 sn Again, the expression turned is a summary term for responding to the gospel.
[11:22] 233 tn Grk “was heard in the ears,” an idiom. L&N 24.67 states that the idiom means “to hear in secret” (which it certainly does in Matt 10:27), but secrecy does not seem to be part of the context here, and there is no particular reason to suggest the report was made in secret.
[11:22] 234 map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.
[11:22] 235 tc ‡ Most
[11:22] 236 sn Antioch was a city in Syria (not Antioch in Pisidia). See the note in 11:19. Again the Jerusalem church exercised an oversight role.
[11:23] 237 tn Grk “Antioch, who when.” The relative pronoun was omitted 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.
[11:23] 238 tn BDAG 883 s.v. προσμένω 1.a.β has “remain true to the Lord” for προσμένειν (prosmenein) in this verse.
[11:23] 239 tn Grk “with purpose of heart”; BDAG 869 s.v. πρόθεσις 2.a translates this phrase “purpose of heart, i.e. devotion” here.
[11:24] 240 tn Grk “a significant crowd.”
[11:26] 241 sn Antioch was a city in Syria (not Antioch in Pisidia). See the note in 11:19.
[11:26] 242 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.
[11:26] 243 tn Grk “year they”; the referents (Barnabas and Saul) have been specified in the translation for clarity.
[11:26] 244 tn Grk “a significant crowd.”
[11:26] 245 sn Antioch was a city in Syria (not Antioch in Pisidia). See the note in 11:19.
[11:26] 246 sn The term Christians appears only here, in Acts 26:28, and 1 Pet 4:16 in the NT.
[11:27] 247 tn Grk “In these days,” but the dative generally indicates a specific time.
[11:27] 248 tn The word “some” is not in the Greek text, but is usually used in English when an unspecified number is mentioned.
[11:27] 249 sn Prophets are mentioned only here and in 13:1 and 21:10 in Acts.
[11:27] 250 sn Came down from Jerusalem. Antioch in Syria lies due north of Jerusalem. In Western languages it is common to speak of north as “up” and south as “down,” but the NT maintains the Hebrew idiom which speaks of any direction away from Jerusalem as down (since Mount Zion was thought of in terms of altitude).
[11:27] 251 map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.
[11:27] 252 sn Antioch was a city in Syria (not Antioch in Pisidia). See the note in 11:19.
[11:28] 253 tn Grk “getting up, predicted.” The participle ἀναστάς (anasta") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
[11:28] 254 tn Or “made clear”; Grk “indicated beforehand” (BDAG 920 s.v. σημαίνω 2).
[11:28] 256 sn This famine is one of the firmly fixed dates in Acts. It took place from
[11:28] 257 tn Or “whole Roman Empire.” While the word οἰκουμένη (oikoumenh) does occasionally refer specifically to the Roman Empire, BDAG 699 s.v. οἰκουνένη 2 does not list this passage (only Acts 24:5 and 17:6).
[11:28] 258 tn Grk “world, which.” The relative pronoun (“which”) was replaced by the demonstrative pronoun “this” 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.
[11:28] 259 sn This is best taken as a parenthetical note by the author. Claudius was the Roman emperor Tiberius Claudius Nero Germanicus, known as Claudius, who ruled from
[11:29] 260 tn So BDAG 410 s.v. εὐπορέω.
[11:29] 261 tn Or “determined,” “resolved.”
[11:29] 262 tn Grk “to send [something] for a ministry,” but today it is common to speak of sending relief for victims of natural disasters.
[11:30] 263 tn Grk “Judea, which they did.” The relative pronoun was omitted 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.
[11:30] 264 tn The words “their financial aid” are not in the Greek text, but are implied. Direct objects in Greek were often omitted when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.
[12:1] 265 sn King Herod was Herod Agrippa I, the grandson of Herod I (Herod the Great). His mediocre career is summarized in Josephus, Ant. 18-19. This event took place in
[12:1] 266 tn Or “King Herod had some from the church arrested.”
[12:1] 267 tn Or “to cause them injury.”
[12:2] 268 sn The expression executed with a sword probably refers to a beheading. James was the first known apostolic martyr (Eusebius, Eccl. Hist. 2.9.1-3). On James, not the Lord’s brother, see Luke 5:10; 6:14. This death ended a short period of peace noted in Acts 9:31 after the persecution mentioned in 8:1-3.
[12:3] 269 tn This could be a reference to the Jewish people (so CEV) or to the Jewish leaders (so NLT). The statement in v. 4 that Herod intended to bring Peter “out to the people” (i.e., for a public trial) may suggest the former is somewhat more likely.
[12:3] 270 sn This is a parenthetical note by the author.
[12:4] 271 sn Four squads of soldiers. Each squad was a detachment of four soldiers.
[12:4] 272 tn Grk “guard him, planning to bring him out.” The Greek construction continues with a participle (βουλόμενος, boulomeno") and an infinitive (ἀναγαγεῖν, anagagein), but this creates an awkward and lengthy sentence in English. Thus a reference to Herod was introduced as subject and the participle translated as a finite verb (“Herod planned”).
[12:4] 273 tn Or “intended”; Grk “wanted.”
[12:4] 274 tn Grk “to bring him out to the people,” but in this context a public trial (with certain condemnation as the result) is doubtless what Herod planned. L&N 15.176 translates this phrase “planning to bring him up for a public trial after the Passover.”
[12:5] 275 tn Or “constantly.” This term also appears in Luke 22:14 and Acts 26:7.
[12:5] 276 tn Grk “but earnest prayer was being made by the church to God for him.” The order of the clauses has been rearranged to follow English style, and the somewhat awkward passive “prayer was being made” has been changed to the simpler active verb “were praying.” Luke portrays what follows as an answer to prayer.
[12:6] 277 tn Grk “was going to bring him out,” but the upcoming trial is implied. See Acts 12:4.
[12:6] 278 tn Grk “two chains, and.” Logically it makes better sense to translate this as a temporal clause, although technically it is a coordinate clause in Greek.
[12:6] 279 tn Or “were guarding.”
[12:7] 280 tn Grk “And behold.” 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. The interjection ἰδού (idou), often difficult to translate into English, expresses the suddenness of the angel’s appearance.
[12:7] 281 tn Or “the angel of the Lord.” See the note on the word “Lord” in 5:19.
[12:7] 282 tn Grk “striking the side of Peter, he awoke him saying.” The term refers to a push or a light tap (BDAG 786 s.v. πατάσσω 1.a). The participle πατάξας (pataxa") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
[12:7] 283 tn Grk “his”; the referent (Peter) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[12:7] 284 tn Grk “the hands,” but the wrist was considered a part of the hand.
[12:8] 285 tn While ζώννυμι (zwnnumi) sometimes means “to dress,” referring to the fastening of the belt or sash as the final act of getting dressed, in this context it probably does mean “put on your belt” since in the conditions of a prison Peter had probably not changed into a different set of clothes to sleep. More likely he had merely removed his belt or sash, which the angel now told him to replace. The translation “put on your belt” is given by L&N 49.14 for this verse. The archaic English “girdle” for the sash or belt has an entirely different meaning today.
[12:8] 286 tn Grk “He”; the referent (Peter) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[12:8] 287 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the angel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[12:8] 288 tn Or “outer garment.”
[12:9] 289 tn Grk “And going out he followed.”
[12:9] 290 tn Grk “Peter going out followed him.” The participle ἐξελθών (exelqwn) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
[12:9] 291 tn The word “him” is not in the Greek text. Direct objects in Greek were often omitted when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.
[12:9] 292 tn Grk “what was done through the angel was a reality” (see BDAG 43 s.v. ἀληθής 3).
[12:10] 293 tn Or perhaps, “guard posts.”
[12:10] 294 sn The iron gate shows how important security was here. This door was more secure than one made of wood (which would be usual).
[12:10] 295 tn Grk “which.” The relative pronoun (“which”) was replaced by the pronoun “it,” 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.
[12:10] 296 tn The Greek term here, αὐτομάτη (automath), indicates something that happens without visible cause (BDAG 152 s.v. αὐτόματος).
[12:10] 297 tn Or “lane,” “alley” (BDAG 907 s.v. ῥύμη).
[12:11] 298 tn Grk “And when.” 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.
[12:11] 299 tn Or “delivered.”
[12:11] 300 sn Here the hand of Herod is a metaphor for Herod’s power or control.
[12:11] 301 sn King Herod was Herod Agrippa I, the grandson of Herod I (Herod the Great).
[12:11] 302 sn Luke characterizes the opposition here as the Jewish people, including their leadership (see 12:3).
[12:12] 303 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Peter) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[12:12] 304 tn Grk “John who was also called Mark.”
[12:13] 305 tn Or “responded.”
[12:14] 307 tn The word “them” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects in Greek were often omitted when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.
[12:15] 308 sn “You’ve lost your mind!” Such a response to the miraculous is not unusual in Luke-Acts. See Luke 24:11; Acts 26:25. The term μαίνομαι (mainomai) can have the idea of being “raving mad” or “totally irrational” (BDAG 610 s.v.). It is a strong expression.
[12:15] 309 tn Grk “she kept insisting that the situation was thus” (cf. BDAG 422 s.v. ἔχω 10.a). Most translations supply a less awkward English phrase like “it was so”; the force of her insistence, however, is that “it was Peter,” which was the point under dispute.
[12:15] 310 tn The two imperfect tense verbs, διϊσχυρίζετο (diiscurizeto) and ἔλεγον (elegon), are both taken iteratively. The picture is thus virtually a shouting match between Rhoda and the rest of the believers.
[12:15] 311 sn The assumption made by those inside, “It is his angel,” seems to allude to the idea of an attending angel (cf. Gen 48:16 LXX; Matt 18:10; Test. Jacob 1:10).
[12:16] 312 tn The words “the door” are not in the Greek text, but are implied (see Acts 12:13).
[12:16] 313 sn That they were greatly astonished is a common response in Luke-Acts to God’s work (Luke 8:56; Acts 2:7, 12; 8:13; 9:21; 10:45).
[12:17] 314 tn Or “He gave them a signal.” Grk “Giving them a signal…he related to them.” The participle κατασείσας (kataseisa") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
[12:17] 315 tc ‡ Most
[12:17] 317 sn He…went to another place. This is Peter’s last appearance in Acts with the exception of the Jerusalem council in Acts 15.
[12:18] 318 tn BDAG 436 s.v. ἡμέρα 1.a has “day is breaking” for ἡμέρα γίνεται (Jhmera ginetai) in this verse.
[12:18] 319 tn Grk “no little consternation.” The translation given for τάραχος (taraco") in this verse by BDAG 991 s.v. τάραχος 1 is “mental agitation.” The situation indicated by the Greek word is described in L&N 25.243 as “a state of acute distress and great anxiety, with the additional possible implications of dismay and confusion – ‘great distress, extreme anxiety.’” The English word “consternation” is preferred here because it conveys precisely such a situation of anxiety mixed with fear. The reason for this anxiety is explained in the following verse.
[12:19] 320 sn King Herod was Herod Agrippa I, the grandson of Herod I (Herod the Great).
[12:19] 321 tn Or “had instigated a search” (Herod would have ordered the search rather than conducting it himself).
[12:19] 322 tn “Questioned” is used to translate ἀνακρίνας (anakrina") here because a possible translation offered by BDAG 66 s.v. ἀνακρίνω for this verse is “examined,” which could be understood to mean Herod inspected the guards rather than questioned them. The translation used by the NIV, “cross-examined,” also avoids this possible misunderstanding.
[12:19] 323 tn The meaning “led away to execution” for ἀπαχθῆναι (apacqhnai) in this verse is given by BDAG 95 s.v. ἀπάγω 2.c. Although an explicit reference to execution is lacking here, it is what would usually occur in such a case (Acts 16:27; 27:42; Code of Justinian 9.4.4). “Led away to torture” is a less likely option (Pliny the Younger, Letters 10, 96, 8).
[12:19] 324 tn Grk “and,” but the sequence of events is better expressed in English by “then.” A new sentence is begun in the translation because of the length of the sentence in Greek, which exceeds normal English sentence length.
[12:19] 325 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Herod) has been specified in the translation for clarity. Since Herod has been the subject of the preceding material, and the circumstances of his death are the subject of the following verses (20-23), it is best to understand Herod as the subject here. This is especially true since according to Josephus, Ant. 19.8.2 [19.343-352], Herod Agrippa I died at Caesarea in
[12:19] 326 sn Caesarea was a city on the coast of Palestine south of Mount Carmel (not Caesarea Philippi). See the note on Caesarea in Acts 10:1.
[12:20] 327 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Herod) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[12:20] 328 tn Or “was extremely angry.” L&N 33.453 gives the meaning “be angry and quarrel, quarrel angrily” here. However, in L&N 88.180 the alternative “to be violently angry, to be furious” is given. The term is used only once in the NT (BDAG 461 s.v. θυμομαχέω).
[12:20] 329 sn Tyre was a city and seaport on the coast of Phoenicia.
[12:20] 330 sn Sidon was an ancient Phoenician royal city on the coast between Berytus (Beirut) and Tyre (BDAG 923 s.v. Σιδών).
[12:20] 331 tn Or “with one accord.”
[12:20] 332 tn Or “persuading.”
[12:20] 333 tn On the term translated “personal assistant” BDAG 554 s.v. κοιτῶν states, “used as part of a title: ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ κοιτῶνος the one in charge of the bed-chamber, the chamberlain.” This individual was not just a domestic servant or butler, but a highly respected person who had considerable responsibility for the king’s living quarters and personal affairs. The English word “chamberlain” corresponds very closely to this meaning but is not in common use today. The term “personal assistant,” while it might convey more business associations than management of personal affairs, nevertheless communicates the concept well in contemporary English.
[12:20] 334 tn The words “to help them” are not in the Greek text, but are implied.
[12:20] 335 tn Or “for a reconciliation.” There were grave political risks in having Herod angry at them. The detail shows the ruler’s power.
[12:21] 336 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Herod) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[12:21] 337 tn Or “apparel.” On Herod’s robes see Josephus, Ant. 19.8.2 (19.344), summarized in the note at the end of v. 23.
[12:21] 338 tn Although BDAG 175 s.v. βῆμα 3 gives the meaning “speaker’s platform” for this verse, and a number of modern translations use similar terms (“rostrum,” NASB; “platform,” NRSV), since the bema was a standard feature in Greco-Roman cities of the time, there is no need for an alternative translation here.
[12:21] 339 tn Or “delivered a public address.”
[12:22] 340 tn The translation “crowd” is given by BDAG 223 s.v. δῆμος; the word often means a gathering of citizens to conduct public business. Here it is simply the group of people gathered to hear the king’s speech.
[12:22] 341 tn The imperfect verb ἐπεφώνει (epefwnei) is taken ingressively in the sequence of events. Presumably the king had started his speech when the crowd began shouting.
[12:22] 342 sn The voice of a god. Contrast the response of Paul and Barnabas in Acts 14:13-15.
[12:23] 343 tn Or “the angel of the Lord.” See the note on the word “Lord” in 5:19.
[12:23] 344 sn On being struck…down by an angel, see Acts 23:3; 1 Sam 25:28; 2 Sam 12:15; 2 Kgs 19:35; 2 Chr 13:20; 2 Macc 9:5.
[12:23] 345 tn Grk “him”; the referent (Herod) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[12:23] 346 sn He was eaten by worms and died. Josephus, Ant. 19.8.2 (19.343-352), states that Herod Agrippa I died at Caesarea in
[12:24] 347 sn A metonymy for the number of adherents to God’s word.
