Acts 11:9
But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
Original Language Analysis
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
G611
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
1 of 16
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
φωνὴ
the voice
G5456
φωνὴ
the voice
Strong's:
G5456
Word #:
4 of 16
a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose), saying or language
ἐκ
again
G1537
ἐκ
again
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
5 of 16
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
δευτέρου
G1208
ἐκ
again
G1537
ἐκ
again
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
7 of 16
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανοῦ
heaven
G3772
οὐρανοῦ
heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
9 of 16
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
Ἃ
What
G3739
Ἃ
What
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
10 of 16
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
12 of 16
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
Historical Context
What God hath cleansed asserts divine prerogative to redefine purity. The verb tense (perfected action) indicates completed work—God has acted decisively. This principle, revealed around 40 CE, extended beyond food to people—Gentiles whom God cleanses through faith must not be called common. The theological revolution prepared Christianity for worldwide mission beyond ethnic Judaism.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God's authority to declare clean reveal about His sovereignty?
- How does this principle apply beyond dietary laws to human relationships?
- In what ways should believers avoid imposing purity categories God has abolished?
- What role does divine declaration play in establishing spiritual reality?
- How does God's cleansing power override human religious categories?
Analysis & Commentary
But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. God's rebuke establishes divine authority over purity definitions, declaring His power to declare clean what was formerly unclean.