The next day, while they were on their way and nearing the city, Peter went up to the roof terrace to pray at about noontime. 10 He was hungry and wished to eat, and while they were making preparations he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something resembling a large sheet coming down, lowered to the ground by its four corners. 12 In it were all the earth’s four-legged animals and reptiles and the birds of the sky. 13 A voice said to him, “Get up, Peter. Slaughter and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “Certainly not, sir. For never have I eaten anything profane and unclean.” 15 The voice spoke to him again, a second time, “What God has made clean, you are not to call profane.” 16 This happened three times, and then the object was taken up into the sky. 17 While Peter was in doubt about the meaning of the vision he had seen, the men sent by Cornelius asked for Simon’s house and arrived at the entrance. 18 They called out inquiring whether Simon, who is called Peter, was staying there. 19 As Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said [to him], “There are three men here looking for you. 20 So get up, go downstairs, and accompany them without hesitation, because I have sent them.” 21 Then Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your being here?” 22 They answered, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, respected by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to summon you to his house and to hear what you have to say.” 23 So he invited them in and showed them hospitality. The next day he got up and went with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went with him.
Peter follows the Jewish custom of praying three times a day, with this instance being the midday (noontime) prayer. Daily prayers were often aligned with the times of the Temple sacrifices, and devout Jews would find places to pray even when they were away from synagogues or the Temple. Peter continued to adhere to these Jewish prayer customs despite being a key figure in the early Christian community. The early Christian movement was initially considered a sect within Judaism, resulting in significant overlap between Jewish and Christian worship practices. Early Christians in Jerusalem, including the apostles, saw themselves as devout Jews who believed that Jesus was the promised Messiah and continued to participate in Temple worship (Acts 2:46; Acts 3:1; Acts 5:42). Additionally, Paul used synagogues as venues to worship and preach (Acts 21:26; 18:4). Although not immediately apparent to the apostles, the inclusion of Gentiles in the early Christian community has a transformative impact theologically, socially, and culturally contributing to the development of a distinct Christian identity separate from Judaism. However, this inclusion also led to significant hostility between non-messianic Jews and early Jewish Christians.
While the household is preparing food and Peter is praying on the rooftop, he falls into a trance, indicating he is about to receive a divine revelation. He sees a vision of a large sheet descending from heaven containing a multitude of various animals, including those deemed unclean by Jewish dietary laws (Lev. 11). The vision challenges traditional Jewish purity regulations and signifies that Gentiles are also part of God’s salvific plan, highlighting the universal scope of the Gospel. A divine voice commands Peter to “slaughter and eat” even the unclean animals, which Jewish dietary laws prohibited. Peter, a devout Jew, respectfully but firmly refuses to obey the command because eating unclean food is unthinkable and against his lifelong religious practice. The divine voice corrects Peter stating that what God has made clean should not be considered profane. God’s redefinition of what is clean overrides traditional Jewish purity laws, allowing the Gentiles to be accepted as full members of the Christian community without requiring them to adhere to Jewish dietary laws. The vision occurs three times, underscoring its importance, and then the object is taken up and the vision ends. Repetition often signifies a divine decree (Gen. 41:32).
Peter was uncertain about the meaning of the vision when the men sent by Cornelius arrived. The Holy Spirit told Peter about their presence and commanded him to go immediately with them to Cornelius’ house. Peter followed the Spirit’s instructions and greeted the men who explained that Cornelius, their master, was instructed by an angel to send for him. They spoke of Cornelius’ character, piety, and generosity describing him as respected by “the whole Jewish nation.”. Peter then invited the Gentile messengers into the house, breaking from traditional Jewish customs that typically avoided close association with Gentiles (Acts 10:28; 11:2-3). The next day, Peter took some of the brothers (fellow believers) from Joppa with him, probably to be credible witnesses to the events so they could testify to God’s work among the Gentiles.
Almighty God, thank You for revealing Your boundless love and the universal nature of the Christian mission through Peter’s vision. Grant us the fortitude to embrace Your call to break down barriers and extend Your grace to all people. Help us to follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and actively participate in Your transformative work. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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Sources:
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
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