Acts 10:15
And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
φωνὴ
the voice
G5456
φωνὴ
the voice
Strong's:
G5456
Word #:
2 of 14
a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose), saying or language
πάλιν
again
G3825
πάλιν
again
Strong's:
G3825
Word #:
3 of 14
(adverbially) anew, i.e., (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand
ἐκ
G1537
ἐκ
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
4 of 14
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
δευτέρου
the second time
G1208
δευτέρου
the second time
Strong's:
G1208
Word #:
5 of 14
(ordinal) second (in time, place, or rank; also adverb)
πρὸς
spake unto
G4314
πρὸς
spake unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
6 of 14
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτόν
him
G846
αὐτόν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 14
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
Ἃ
What
G3739
Ἃ
What
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
8 of 14
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
10 of 14
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
Cross References
1 Corinthians 10:25Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:Matthew 15:11Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.Titus 1:15Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.Mark 7:19Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?Romans 14:14I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.Acts 10:28And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.Acts 11:9But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.Acts 15:9And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.Acts 15:20But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.Romans 14:20For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
Historical Context
This statement revolutionized ceremonial categories. What God declares clean is clean, regardless of previous classification. This principle would apply to Gentile believers.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's cleansing authority challenge human categorizations?
- What does 'calling common what God has cleansed' look like in practice today?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The divine response - 'What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common' - declared God's sovereign right to determine cleanness. The perfect tense 'hath cleansed' indicated completed action. God had already cleansed what Peter still called common.