Acts 10:11
And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
θεωρεῖ
saw
G2334
θεωρεῖ
saw
Strong's:
G2334
Word #:
2 of 22
to be a spectator of, i.e., discern, (literally, figuratively (experience) or intensively (acknowledge))
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανὸν
heaven
G3772
οὐρανὸν
heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
4 of 22
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
ἀνεῳγμένον
opened
G455
ἀνεῳγμένον
opened
Strong's:
G455
Word #:
5 of 22
to open up (literally or figuratively, in various applications)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπὶ
to
G1909
ἐπὶ
to
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
8 of 22
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 22
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
σκεῦός
vessel
G4632
σκεῦός
vessel
Strong's:
G4632
Word #:
10 of 22
a vessel, implement, equipment or apparatus (literally or figuratively (specially, a wife as contributing to the usefulness of the husband))
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
12 of 22
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
μεγάλην
it had been a great
G3173
μεγάλην
it had been a great
Strong's:
G3173
Word #:
14 of 22
big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)
ἀρχαῖς
corners
G746
ἀρχαῖς
corners
Strong's:
G746
Word #:
16 of 22
(properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank)
δεδεμένον
knit
G1210
δεδεμένον
knit
Strong's:
G1210
Word #:
17 of 22
to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπὶ
to
G1909
ἐπὶ
to
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
20 of 22
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
Cross References
Historical Context
Leviticus 11 categorized animals as clean or unclean. These distinctions, while practical, symbolized Israel's separation from Gentile nations.
Questions for Reflection
- What did the mixture of clean and unclean animals symbolize?
- How did dietary laws function as barriers between Jews and Gentiles?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Peter saw 'heaven opened' - indicating divine revelation. The 'great sheet' descending with 'all manner of fourfooted beasts' contained clean and unclean animals together. This vision challenged dietary distinctions that separated Jews from Gentiles.