Acts 10:30
And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἀπὸ
ago
G575
Ἀπὸ
ago
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
5 of 31
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
ἡμέρας
days
G2250
ἡμέρας
days
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
7 of 31
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
μέχρι
until
G3360
μέχρι
until
Strong's:
G3360
Word #:
8 of 31
as far as, i.e., up to a certain point (as a preposition, of extent (denoting the terminus, whereas g0891 refers especially to the space of time or pl
ταύτης
G3778
ταύτης
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
9 of 31
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἴκῳ
house
G3624
οἴκῳ
house
Strong's:
G3624
Word #:
21 of 31
a dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication, a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
23 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔστη
stood
G2476
ἔστη
stood
Strong's:
G2476
Word #:
26 of 31
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
Historical Context
Four days ago traces timeline: Day 1—Cornelius's vision; Day 2—messengers travel to Joppa; Day 3—Peter's vision, departure with messengers; Day 4—arrival in Caesarea. The ninth hour (3 PM) coincided with Jewish afternoon prayer time, showing Cornelius's integration of Jewish spiritual practices. Bright clothing indicated angelic being. This testimony around 40 CE validated divine initiative in bringing gospel to Gentiles.
Questions for Reflection
- How do spiritual disciplines (fasting, prayer) prepare hearts for divine revelation?
- What role does precise chronology play in establishing event's historical reliability?
- In what ways does God honor sincere spiritual seeking even outside covenant community?
- How should believers maintain spiritual practices while awaiting God's direction?
- What does angelic appearance emphasize about this event's divine orchestration?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, Cornelius's account establishes chronology while emphasizing spiritual disciplines (fasting, prayer) that preceded angelic visitation.