Sermon Tone Analysis

10:28

The statement that it was “unlawful” for a Jew to associate with somebody of another race has no basis in the OT.

It represents an interpretation of the law, the most likely one being that since contact with Gentiles conveyed uncleanness, from which a person required purification through the appropriate ritual, it was deemed right to avoid such contacts as far as possible (cf.

Jub.

22:16).

The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along.

24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea.

Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.

25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence.

26 But Peter made him get up.

“Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”

27 While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people.

28 He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile.

But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure

On the fourth day of the story, Peter arrived in Caesarea.

Luke now puts the focus on the personal encounter between Peter and Cornelius, mentioning Peter’s companions again only in vv.

45–46.

Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.

This shows that Cornelius anticipated hearing a message of great importance for himself and for those he loved.

Perhaps, as one familiar with the Jewish Scriptures, he was genuinely looking for the coming of the Messiah and already knew something of Peter’s claims about Jesus.

Treating Peter as an angelic messenger, Cornelius fell at his feet in reverence (pesōn epi tous podas prosekynēsan; cf.

Rev. 19:10; 22:8–9, where even an angel resists such homage).

Even though he brings the word of the living God, Peter insists that he is only human (egō autos anthrōpos eimi, ‘I am only human myself’), and will not accept the deference due to God in the situation.

After conversing with Cornelius, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people.