Acts 10:21
Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?
Original Language Analysis
Πέτρος
Peter
G4074
Πέτρος
Peter
Strong's:
G4074
Word #:
3 of 25
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
4 of 25
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,
ἡ
which
G3588
ἡ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡ
which
G3588
ἡ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀπεσταλμενοῦς
were sent
G649
ἀπεσταλμενοῦς
were sent
Strong's:
G649
Word #:
8 of 25
set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
9 of 25
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
ἡ
which
G3588
ἡ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
12 of 25
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,
αὑτὸν,
him
G846
αὑτὸν,
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 25
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
ἣν
he whom
G3739
ἣν
he whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
18 of 25
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ζητεῖτε·
ye seek
G2212
ζητεῖτε·
ye seek
Strong's:
G2212
Word #:
19 of 25
to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by hebraism) to worship (god), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)
τίς
what
G5101
τίς
what
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
20 of 25
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ἡ
which
G3588
ἡ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αἰτία
is the cause
G156
αἰτία
is the cause
Strong's:
G156
Word #:
22 of 25
a cause (as if asked for), i.e., (logical) reason (motive, matter), (legal) crime (alleged or proved)
δι'
wherefore
G1223
δι'
wherefore
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
23 of 25
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
Historical Context
This encounter around 40 CE marked Christianity's watershed moment—apostolic recognition of Gentile inclusion without requiring Jewish conversion. Cornelius, Roman centurion, represented Gentile God-fearers attracted to Judaism but excluded from full participation. Peter's willingness to engage these Gentile messengers showed immediate application of rooftop vision's lesson.
Questions for Reflection
- How does immediate obedience to divine revelation demonstrate genuine submission to God's will?
- What role does direct communication play in clarifying God's purposes?
- In what ways did Peter's vision prepare him for this encounter?
- How should believers respond when God's direction challenges cultural or religious traditions?
- What does Peter's openness teach about flexibility when God reveals new understanding?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come? Peter's immediate, direct response demonstrates readiness to embrace God's revealed will, transitioning from vision's perplexity to obedient action.