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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Act_10:17-23 a
17Now while Peter was greatly perplexed in mind as to what the vision which he had seen might be, behold, the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked directions for Simon's house, appeared at the gate; 18and calling out, they were asking whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was staying there. 19While Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are looking for you. 20But get up, go downstairs and accompany them without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself." 21Peter went down to the men and said, "Behold, I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for which you have come?" 22They said, "Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man well spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews, was divinely directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear a message from you." 23So he invited them in and gave them lodging.
Act_10:17 "Peter was greatly perplexed" This is an imperfect active indicative, which here denotes the beginning of an action in past time.
The term is used several times by Luke to show mental confusion (cf. Luk_9:7; Act_2:12; Act_5:24; Act_10:17). Peter did not immediately understand the purpose of the vision.
▣ "the vision" The word used here to describe Peter's experience, horama, is the same as is used of Cornelius' vision in Act_10:3 (cf. Act_10:19).
Act_10:19 "the Spirit said to him" The exact relationship between "the Spirit" (Act_10:19) speaking and "the angel" (Act_10:3; Act_10:22) speaking throughout this context is uncertain (cf. Act_10:20, "I have sent them Myself"). Apparently the angel spoke on the behalf of the Holy Spirit or the two are identified like an OT theophony (cf. Exo_3:2; Exo_3:4; Act_8:26; Act_8:29).
Act_10:20 This verse is very emphatic.
1. get up, participle used as an imperative
2. go downstairs, aorist active imperative
3. accompany them, present middle (deponent) imperative
4. without misgiving, participle used as an imperative
5. I have sent them Myself, ego with perfect active indicative
There was no option for Peter but to go! This was a divine appointment. The Spirit was responsible for Cornelius' vision, Cornelius' sending the men, Peter's vision, and now Peter's responding to their request.
Act_10:22 They faithfully relate what has happened.
NASB "a righteous"
NKJV "a just man"
NRSV, NJB "upright"
TEV "a good man"
This term must be used in the OT sense of "blameless." It does not refer to sinlessness (cf. Gen_6:1; Job_1:1; Luk_1:6; Luk_2:25) or to the imputed righteousness of Christ (cf. Romans 4). This man lived up to all he understood about the will of God. See hyperlink at Act_3:14.
NASB, NRSV,
NJB "God-fearing"
NKJV "one who fears God"
TEV "who worships God"
This phrase (or one like it) is used often to describe Cornelius (cf. Act_10:2; Act_10:22; Act_10:35). In Act_13:16; Act_13:26; Act_13:43; Act_13:50 it is used for those who are not racial Jews and not full proselytes, but those who regularly attended synagogues. They were called "God-fearers" (cf. Act_16:14; Act_17:4; Act_17:17; Act_18:7).
Act_10:23 "So he invited them in and gave them lodging" This is another example of Peter's continuing separation from his Jewish legalism. It is certain that the accompanying soldier was a Roman and yet Peter invited him in for dinner and fellowship. Notice how in Act_10:48 Peter will stay in a Roman house for a few days.