Act 10:9-18 | RWP | e4.org | On the morrow ( τη επαυριον ). Locative case of article with the compound adverb ( ημερα day being understood), the second day after leaving Caesarea, 28 miles from Joppa. The third day (the next morrow, verse ) they start back home and the fourth day (on the morrow again, verse ) they reach Caesarea. As they ( εκεινων ). The party of three from Caesarea. Genitive absolute with present participle οδοιπορουντων (journeying) and εγγιζοντων (drew nigh). The housetop ( το δωμα ). Old word and in Gospels ( , etc.), but only here in Acts. From δεμω , to build, and so any part of the building (hall, dining room, and then roof). The roof was nearly flat with walls around and so was a good place for meditation and prayer and naps.

‏ Acts 10:9-18

On the morrow ( τη επαυριον ). Locative case of article with the compound adverb ( ημερα day being understood), the second day after leaving Caesarea, 28 miles from Joppa. The third day (the next morrow, verse 23) they start back home and the fourth day (on the morrow again, verse 24) they reach Caesarea.

As they ( εκεινων ). The party of three from Caesarea. Genitive absolute with present participle οδοιπορουντων (journeying) and εγγιζοντων (drew nigh).

The housetop ( το δωμα ). Old word and in Gospels (Lu 3:19, etc.), but only here in Acts. From δεμω, to build, and so any part of the building (hall, dining room, and then roof). The roof was nearly flat with walls around and so was a good place for meditation and prayer and naps.

Hungry ( προσπεινος ) Only instance of the word known, a απαξ λεγομενον. Probably "very hungry" ( προς =besides, in addition).

Desired ( ηθελεν ). Imperfect active. Was longing to eat. It was about twelve o'clock noon and Peter may even have smelt the savory dishes, "while they made ready" ( παρασκευαζοντων ). "The natural and the supernatural border closely on one another, with no definable limits" (Furneaux).

He fell into a trance ( εγενετο επ' αυτον εκστασις ). More exactly, "An ecstasy came upon him," in which trance he passed out of himself ( εκστασις, from εξιστημ ) and from which one came to himself (12:11). Cf. also 11:5; 22:17. It is thus different from a vision ( οραμα ) as in verse 3.

Beholdeth ( θεωρε ). Vivid historical present and change from past time.

Opened ( ανεωιγμενον, perfect passive participle with double reduplication, state of completion).

Descending ( καταβαινον ). Present active participle describing the process.

Sheet ( οθονην ). Old word for linen cloth and only here in the N.T. Accusative case in apposition with σκευος (vessel).

Let down ( Καθιεμενον ). Present passive participle of Καθιημ. Old verb, but in the N.T. only here and Lu 5:19; Ac 9:25. Linear action here picturing the process, "being let down."

By four corners ( τεσσαρσιν αρχαις ). Instrumental case of αρχη, beginning. We say "end" or extremity for this use of the word. The picture is the sheet held up by four cords to which the sheet is fastened. Isa 11:12 had said that Israel would be gathered from the four corners of the earth. Knowling follows Hobart in taking the four corners of the sheet to be a medical phrase for bandage (the end of a bandage).

Were ( υπηρχεν ). Imperfect of υπαρχω in sense of ην, to exist, be. Fish are not mentioned, perhaps because the sheet had no water, though they were clean and unclean also (Le 11:9; De 14:9).

All manner of ( παντα ). Literally, all, but clearly all varieties, not all individuals. Both clean and unclean animals are in the sheet.

Not so, Lord ( Μηδαμωσ, κυριε ). The negative μηδαμως calls for the optative ειη (may it not be) or the imperative εστω (let it be). It is not ουδαμως, a blunt refusal (I shall not do it). And yet it is more than a mild protest as Page and Furneaux argue. It is a polite refusal with a reason given. Peter recognizes the invitation to slay ( θυσον ) the unclean animals as from the Lord ( κυριε ) but declines it three times.

For I have never eaten anything ( οτ ουδεποτε εφαγον παν ). Second aorist active indicative, I never did anything like this and I shall not do it now. The use of παν (everything) with ουδεποτε (never) is like the Hebrew (lo--kol) though a like idiom appears in the vernacular Koine (Robertson, Grammar, p. 752).

Common and unclean ( κοινον κα ακαθαρτον ). Κοινος from epic ξυνος ( ξυν, συν, together with) originally meant common to several (Latin communis) as in Ac 2:44; 4:32; Tit 1:4; Jude 1:3. The use seen here (also Mr 7:2, 5; Ro 14:14; Heb 10:29; Re 21:27; Ac 10:28; 11:8), like Latin vulgaris is unknown in ancient Greek. Here the idea is made plain by the addition of ακαθαρτον (unclean), ceremonially unclean, of course. We have the same double use in our word "common." See on Mr 7:18f. where Mark adds the remarkable participle καθαριζων (making all meats clean), evidently from Peter who recalls this vision. Peter had been reared from childhood to make the distinction between clean and unclean food and this new proposal even from the Lord runs against all his previous training. He did not see that some of God's plans for the Jews could be temporary. This symbol of the sheet was to show Peter ultimately that Gentiles could be saved without becoming Jews. At this moment he is in spiritual and intellectual turmoil.

Make not thou common ( συ μη κοινου ). Note emphatic position of συ (thou). Do thou stop making common what God cleansed ( εκαθαρισεν ). The idiom of μη with the present active imperative κοινου means precisely this. Peter had just called "common" what God had invited him to slay and eat.

Thrice ( επιτρις ). For three times. Peter remained unconvinced even by the prohibition of God. Here is a striking illustration of obstinacy on the part of one who acknowledges the voice of God to him when the command of the Lord crosses one's preferences and prejudices. There are abundant examples today of precisely this thing. In a real sense Peter was maintaining a pose of piety beyond the will of the Lord. Peter was defiling what God had cleansed.

Was received up ( ανελημφθη ). First aorist passive indicative of αναλαμβανω, to take up. The word used of the Ascension (1:22).

Was much perplexed in himself ( εν εαυτω διηπορε ). Imperfect active of διαπορεω, intensive compound ( δια, thoroughly, and α privative and πορος, way), to be completely at a loss to know what road to take. Old verb, but in N.T. only in Luke and Acts. Page notes that Luke is singularly fond of verbs compounded with δια. See on Lu 9:7 and Ac 2:12. When out of the ecstasy he was more puzzled than ever.

Might be ( αν ειη ). Optative with αν in indirect question simply retained from the direct (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 1021, 1044). See Ac 17:18, for the direct and Lu 1:62 for the indirect ( αν θελο both times). It is the conclusion of a fourth class condition.

Having made inquiry ( διερωτησαντες ). First aorist active participle of διερωταω, another compound of δια, to ask one after another, to ask through, old verb, but only here in the N.T. It took diligent inquiry to find the obscure house of Simon the tanner.

Stood before the gate ( επεστησαν επ τον πυλωνα ). Second aorist active indicative of εφιστημ, intransitive. Note repetition of επ. The messengers stopped right at the folding gates of the passage ( πυλωνα ) which led from the street to the inner court or house.

Called ( φωνησαντες ). In a loud voice that those inside the house might hear.

Asked ( επυνθανοντο ). Imperfect middle of πυνθανομα, old verb to make inquiry especially with an indirect question as here. Kept on inquiring. Westcott and Hort follow B C here and read επυθοντο (second aorist middle, effective aorist). Either makes sense, though the imperfect is more picturesque.

Were lodging ( ξενιζετα ). Present middle indicative retained in indirect question. See on verse 6 for the verb.