Source Scripture
Read the passage first. Study notes begin after the Scripture.
Acts 10:9-16
9On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
10And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
11And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
12Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
13And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
14But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
15And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
16This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
Acts 10:28
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 10:34-35
Question in context
The vision uses animals, but Peter initially doubts what it means and later states the interpretation YAHUAH showed him: he should call no man common or unclean. The arrival and acceptance of Gentiles completes the chapter's stated purpose.
What the passage itself says
- Peter does not immediately conclude that every animal became food; he wonders what the vision means.
- When Peter explains the revelation, he applies common and unclean language to people, not to a new dietary category.
- The Spirit's work among Gentiles and Peter's declaration that YAHUAH is no respecter of persons supply the narrative fulfillment.
Immediate and confirming witnesses
Read these passages with the source Scripture to follow the immediate and confirming context.
- Immediate explanation: Acts 10:17,28,34-35
Peter is initially perplexed, then explains that YAHUAH showed him not to call any man common or unclean. - Lexical usage: Acts 11:4-18
Peter's own retelling repeats the vision and concludes with Gentiles receiving repentance unto life. - Prophetic purpose: Isaiah 56:3-8
The prophet foretells foreigners being joined to YAHUAH and gathered into His worshiping people. - Apostolic confirmation: Acts 15:8-9
The apostles later confirm that YAHUAH purified Gentile hearts by faith, matching Peter's interpretation of the vision. - Immediate explanation: Acts 10:17,28
Peter does not immediately assume a food-law change; he searches for the meaning and later applies it to people. - Lexical usage: Acts 11:9,18
The repeated saying is interpreted by the chapter's conclusion that repentance unto life was granted to Gentiles. - Prophetic purpose: Isaiah 56:6-8
The prophetic promise anticipates foreigners being accepted and gathered by YAHUAH. - Apostolic confirmation: Acts 15:8-9
The apostolic council describes Gentiles as cleansed in heart by faith, not unclean animals as newly edible. - Immediate explanation: Acts 10:34-35,44-48
Peter concludes that YAHUAH accepts people from every nation and witnesses the Spirit falling upon Gentiles. - Lexical usage: Acts 11:9,18
The parallel retelling confirms that the cleansing concerned Gentile repentance and acceptance.
Related Words in Context
Continue with these related Scripture studies.
- Acts 10:9-16: Peter's Vision Was About Men, Not Unclean Meat
Peter's vision corrected his view of Gentile people, not YAHUAH's clean and unclean food distinctions. - Acts 10:15: What YAHUAH Cleansed Must Match Peter's Explanation
What YAHUAH cleansed must be interpreted by Peter's own explanation about people, not animals. - Acts 10:28: Peter Interprets the Vision as About People
Peter plainly explains the vision as YAHUAH cleansing men from common status, not cleansing unclean meats.