Acts 10 — Cornelius, Peter’s vision, and the Gentiles’ reception of the Spirit — Greek text and reception

Greek–English Translation

In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of the cohort called the Italian,

Greek–English Translation

devout and fearing God with his whole household, giving many alms to the people and praying to God continually.

Greek–English Translation

About the ninth hour of the day, he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God come in to him and say, “Cornelius.”

Greek–English Translation

He stared at him in fear and said, “What is it, sir?” The angel said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.

Greek–English Translation

Now send men to Joppa and summon a certain Simon who is called Peter.

Greek–English Translation

He is staying with a certain Simon, a tanner, whose house is beside the sea.”

Greek–English Translation

When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his household slaves and a devout soldier from among those who attended him.

Greek–English Translation

He explained everything to them and sent them to Joppa.

Greek–English Translation

The next day, while they were traveling and approaching the city, Peter went up onto the roof to pray, about the sixth hour.

Greek–English Translation

He became hungry and wanted to eat. While they were preparing the food, a trance came upon him.

Greek–English Translation

He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet descending, being lowered by its four corners to the earth.

Greek–English Translation

In it were all the four-footed animals and creeping things of the earth and birds of the sky.

Greek–English Translation

A voice came to him: “Rise, Peter; slaughter and eat.”

Greek–English Translation

Peter said, “By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything common and unclean.”

Greek–English Translation

A voice came to him again, a second time: “What God has cleansed, you must not call common.”

Greek–English Translation

This happened three times, and immediately the object was taken up into heaven.

Greek–English Translation

While Peter was perplexed within himself about what the vision he had seen might mean, look—the men sent by Cornelius, having asked directions to Simon’s house, stood at the gate.

Greek–English Translation

They called out and asked whether Simon, who was called Peter, was staying there.

Greek–English Translation

While Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Look, men are seeking you.

Greek–English Translation

Rise, go down, and go with them without hesitation, because I have sent them.”

Greek–English Translation

Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are seeking. What is the reason you have come?”

Greek–English Translation

They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to summon you to his house and hear words from you.”

Greek–English Translation

So he invited them in and gave them lodging. The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.

Greek–English Translation

The following day he entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.

Greek–English Translation

As Peter was about to enter, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and bowed before him.

Greek–English Translation

But Peter raised him up, saying, “Rise; I too am a human being.”

Greek–English Translation

While speaking with him, Peter entered and found many people gathered.

Greek–English Translation

He said to them, “You know how forbidden it is for a Jewish man to associate with or visit someone of another people. Yet God has shown me to call no human being common or unclean.

Greek–English Translation

Therefore I came without objection when summoned. So I ask, for what reason did you send for me?”

Greek–English Translation

Cornelius said, “Four days ago, at this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and look—a man stood before me in shining clothing.

Greek–English Translation

He said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms have been remembered before God.

Greek–English Translation

Send, therefore, to Joppa and summon Simon who is called Peter. He is staying in the house of Simon the tanner beside the sea.’

Greek–English Translation

So I sent to you at once, and you have done well to come. Now we are all here before God to hear everything the Lord has commanded you.”

Greek–English Translation

Peter opened his mouth and said, “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,

Greek–English Translation

but in every nation, whoever fears Him and practices righteousness is acceptable to Him.

Greek–English Translation

He sent the word to the sons of Israel, proclaiming good news of peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all.

Greek–English Translation

You know what took place throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism John proclaimed:

Greek–English Translation

Jesus of Nazareth—how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him.

Greek–English Translation

We are witnesses of everything He did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also killed Him by hanging Him on a tree.

Greek–English Translation

God raised Him on the third day and granted that He become visible,

Greek–English Translation

not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen beforehand by God—to us, who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead.

Greek–English Translation

He commanded us to proclaim to the people and bear solemn witness that He is the One appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead.

Greek–English Translation

All the prophets bear witness to Him: everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”

Greek–English Translation

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were hearing the message.

Greek–English Translation

The believers from the circumcision who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even upon the Gentiles,

Greek–English Translation

for they heard them speaking in tongues and magnifying God. Then Peter said,

Greek–English Translation

“Can anyone withhold the water so that these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have, should not be baptized?”

Greek–English Translation

He ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for some days.