ACC ~ Acts 10 v17 - 23

OVERVIEW:

That this event be understood as having a divine, and not a human initiative, demands that Peter, though he was not averse to Gentile converts, remain confused by the vision until the visitors should come. Peter’s initial confusion makes him a more credible witness before those who will object (CHRYSOSTOM), while his being called forth to a world as tumultuous as the sea, mirrors the call of the church to preach to a world in need of the gospel (BEDE). Here we see a difference in tone between the approach of Chrysostom, staying close to the events and making sense of what will happen later in the text, and Bede, drawing on the events as paradigms for understanding the nature of the church. Modern commentators see Peter’s invitation to the guests as a significant shift from his recently expressed adherence to Jewish purity laws to a willingness to dine with Gentiles.

10:17 | Peter Was Perplexed

GOD’S USE OF CONFUSION. CHRYSOSTOM: At the right time, the men come who resolve his confusion. When Christ allowed Joseph to be thrown into confusion, then too, he sent an archangel to him. Here Peter’s soul, having been confused, calmly accepts the resolution … when they inquire whether he is staying there. CATENA ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 10.17.

10:19 | The Spirit Speaks to Peter

THE AUTHORITY OF THE SPIRIT. CHRYSOSTOM: While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down, and accompany them without hesitation; for I have sent them.” And this again is a plea for Peter not to doubt in response to the visitors. He was instructed to doubt nothing. “For I,” he says, “have sent them.” Great is the authority of the Spirit! What God does is what the Spirit is said to do. Not so the angel, but having first said, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God,” to show that he is sent from God. Then the angel adds, “And now send men,” etc.; the Spirit, however, says, “For I have sent them.” HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 22.

10:20 | Go Without Hesitation

RETURN TO THE ACTIVE LIFE. BEDE: He was ordered to descend from the roof and to go to preach in order to show that the church should not only watch for the Lord by climbing to the heights, but, returning to the active life as if rising from its bed, it should preach this same Lord to all the lowliest and to those still situated outside, as it were, but [who are] nevertheless knocking at the door of Simon, that is, at the door of obedience. As the Lord said, “You will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.” It is well that it is mentioned that Peter’s house was situated by the seashore, for the sea designates the wave-tossed tumults and frenzies of the world, where greedy people pursue and devour each other like voracious fish. The saints’ “way of life is in heaven,” and although “the earthly house in which they dwell may be destroyed, they have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven not made by human hands.” COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 10.20.

10:21 | Peter Went to the Men

PARTIAL PROPHECY OF THE SPIRIT. BEDE: “The Spirit told the soldiers to visit [Peter], and concerning the cause of their coming he [the Spirit] was silent,” because in order to preserve the humility of the human mind, “at times the spirit of prophecy partly touches the soul and partly does not.” COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 10.21.