And 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.
Parallel translations
- WEB He said to them, “You yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man who is a Jew to join himself or come to one of another nation, but God has shown me that I shouldn’t call any man unholy or unclean.
- BSB He said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with a foreigner or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.
- NKJV Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
- NASB And he said to them, “You yourselves know that it is forbidden for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a foreigner; and yet God has shown me that I am not to call any person unholy or unclean.
- NLT Peter told them, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Peter explains that though Jews regarded fellowship with Gentiles as unlawful, God has shown him to call no person unholy or unclean. The vision's true meaning was always about people, not merely food.
Overview
Peter now states plainly what the sheet vision signified: the distinction that had separated Jew from Gentile has been removed in God's purpose. The dietary laws had served to mark Israel off from the nations, but in Christ that barrier is abolished (Ephesians 2:14-16). Peter learns that no human being may be dismissed as beyond the reach of God's grace.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- John 4:9Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
- Eph 3:6–7That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
- Gal 2:12–14For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
- John 4:27And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?
- Acts 11:9But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
- Isa 65:5Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.
- John 18:28Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.
- Luke 18:11The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
- Acts 11:2–3And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
- Acts 10:34–35Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
- Acts 22:21–22And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.
- Acts 15:8–9And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
- Acts 10:14–15But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
How Acts 10:28 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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