The Eastern Cross/Bible/Acts/Chapter 10
The Acts of the Apostles
Tap Fathers under a verse to read what the saints said about it.
There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
Ἀνὴρ δέ τις ἐν Καισαρείᾳ ὀνόματι Κορνήλιος, ἑκατοντάρχης ἐκ σπείρης τῆς καλουμένης Ἰταλικῆς,
This man is not a Jew, nor of those under the Law, but he had already forestalled our manner of life. Observe, thus far, two persons, both of high rank, receiving the faith, the eunuch at Gaza and this man; and the pains taken on behalf of these men. But do not imagine that this was because of their high rank: God…
The reason why the writer describes the man so fully, is, that none may say that the Scripture history relates falsehoods: "Cornelius," he says, "a centurion of the band called the Italian band."
A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
εὐσεβὴς καὶ φοβούμενος τὸν Θεὸν σὺν παντὶ τῷ οἴκῳ αὐτοῦ, ποιῶν τε ἐλεημοσύνας πολλὰς τῷ λαῷ καὶ δεόμενος τοῦ Θεοῦ διὰ παντός,
"A devout man," he says, "and one that feared God with all his house": that you may not imagine that it is because of his high station that these things are done. When Paul was to be brought over, there is no angel, but the Lord Himself: and He does not send him to some great one, but to a very ordinary person: but…
But here again is a high commendation of alms, just as was there given by means of Tabitha. "A devout man," it says, "and one that feared God with all his house." Let us hear this, whoever of us neglect them of our own house, whereas this man was careful of his soldiers also. "And that gave alms," it says, "to all the…
Observe with whom the beginning of the Gentiles is made - with "a devout man," and one proved to be worthy by his works. For if, though the case be so, they are still offended, if this had not been the case, what would not have been the consequence!
Hear, all ye that are in military commands, all ye that stand beside kings. "A just man," it says, "fearing God; devout; and what is more than all, with all his house. Not as we: that our servants may be afraid of us, do everything, but not that they may be devout." And over the domestics too, so. Not so this man; but…
See how great the virtue of alms, both in the former discourse, and here! There, it delivered from death temporal; here, from death eternal; and opened the gates of heaven. Such are the pains taken for the bringing of Cornelius to the faith, that both an angel is sent, and the Spirit works, and the chief of the…
He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
εἶδεν ἐν ὁράματι φανερῶς ὡσεὶ ὥραν ἐνάτην τῆς ἡμέρας ἄγγελον τοῦ Θεοῦ εἰσελθόντα πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ εἰπόντα αὐτῷ· Κορνήλιε.
"He saw in a vision evidently, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius." Why does he see the angel? This also was in order to the full assurance of Peter, or rather, not of him, but of the others, the weaker ones. "At the ninth hour," when he was released from…
"He saw in a vision, evidently," etc. It was not in his sleep that the Angel appeared to him, but while he was awake, in the daytime, "about the ninth hour. He saw an Angel of God coming in unto him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid." So occupied was he with himself. Implying,…
And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
ὁ δὲ ἀτενίσας αὐτῷ καὶ ἔμφοβος γενόμενος εἶπε· τί ἐστι, κύριε; εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ· αἱ προσευχαί σου καὶ αἱ ἐλεημοσύναι σου ἀνέβησαν εἰς μνημόσυνον ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ.
"And when he looked on him, he was afraid." Observe how what the angel speaks he does not speak immediately, but first rouses and elevates his mind. At the sight, there was fear, but a fear in moderation, just so far as served to fix his attention. Then also the words relieved him of his fear. The fear roused him: the…
But the Angel says to him, "Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God, and now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, who is called Peter." So far, he signified that the sending for him would be for good consequences, but in what way good, he did not intimate.
Nothing like alms: great is the virtue of this practice, when the alms is poured forth from pure stores; for it is like a fountain discharging mud, when it issues from unjust stores, but when from just gains, it is as a limpid and pure stream in a paradise, sweet to the sight, sweet to the touch, both light and cool,…
And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:
καὶ νῦν πέμψον εἰς Ἰόππην ἄνδρας καὶ μετάπεμψαι Σίμωνα τὸν ἐπικαλούμενον Πέτρον·
"And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter." Lest they should come to a different person, he designates the man not only by his surname, but by the place.
"Send and call for Simon": in like manner the Angel only calls Philip. He does not tell him for what purpose, that he may not take off the intense desire, but he leaves him to an eager and longing expectation of what he shall hear.
He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
οὗτος ξενίζεται παρά τινι Σίμωνι βυρσεῖ, ᾧ ἐστιν οἰκία παρὰ θάλασσαν.
"And the same," saith he, "is lodging with one Simon a tanner, who hath his house by the seaside." Do you mark how the Apostles, for love of solitude and quiet, affected the retired quarters of the cities? "With one Simon a tanner": how then if it chanced that there was another? Behold, there is another token, his…
And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;
ὡς δὲ ἀπῆλθεν ὁ ἄγγελος ὁ λαλῶν τῷ Κορνηλίῳ, φωνήσας δύο τῶν οἰκετῶν αὐτοῦ καὶ στρατιώτην εὐσεβῆ τῶν προσκαρτερούντων αὐτῷ,
"And when the Angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; and when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa." Do you see, that it is not without purpose that the writer says this? It shows…
And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
καὶ ἐξηγησάμενος αὐτοῖς ἅπαντα, ἀπέστειλεν αὐτοὺς εἰς τὴν Ἰόππην.
On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
Τῇ δὲ ἐπαύριον ὁδοιπορούντων ἐκείνων καὶ τῇ πόλει ἐγγιζόντων ἀνέβη Πέτρος ἐπὶ τὸ δῶμα προσεύξασθαι περὶ ὥραν ἕκτην.
"And on the morrow, as they journeyed, and drew nigh to the city" - observe how the Spirit connects the times: no sooner than this, and no later, He causes this to take place - "Peter about the sixth hour went up upon the housetop to pray": that is, privately and quietly, as in an upper chamber.
"And as they went on their journey, and drew nigh to the city": in order that Peter should not be in perplexity too long. "Peter went up upon the housetop," etc. Observe, that not even his hunger forced him to have recourse to the sheet.
And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
ἐγένετο δὲ πρόσπεινος καὶ ἤθελε γεύσασθαι· παρασκευαζόντων δὲ ἐκείνων ἐπέπεσεν ἐπ᾽ αὐτὸν ἔκστασις,
"And he became very hungry, and would have eaten; but while they made ready, there fell upon him a trance." What means this expression, ekstasis, "trance?" Rather, there was presented to him a kind of spiritual view (theoria): the soul, so to say, was caused to be out of the body.
And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
καὶ θεωρεῖ τὸν οὐρανὸν ἀνεῳγμένον καὶ καταβαῖνον ἐπ᾽ αὐτὸν σκεῦός τι ὡς ὀθόνην μεγάλην, τέσσαρσιν ἀρχαῖς δεδεμένον καὶ καθιέμενον ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς,
"And saw heaven opened, and, knit at the four corners, a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet, and let down to the earth: wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air." What is this? It is a symbol of the whole world.…
The earth then, this is what the linen sheet denotes, and the wild beasts in it, are they of the Gentiles, and the command, "Kill and eat," denotes that he must go to them also; and that this thing is thrice done, denotes baptism.
To me it seems that this also denotes the Gospel (or, "the Preaching"). That the thing taking place was of God the circumstances made evident, namely, both that he sees it descending from above, and that he is in a trance; and, that the voice comes from thence, and the thrice confessing that the creatures there were…
Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
ἐν ᾧ ὑπῆρχε πάντα τὰ τετράποδα τῆς γῆς καὶ τὰ θηρία καὶ τὰ ἑρπετὰ καὶ τὰ πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ.
And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
καὶ ἐγένετο φωνὴ πρὸς αὐτόν· ἀναστάς, Πέτρε, θῦσον καὶ φάγε.
"And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat." "Rise, Peter," saith the Voice, "kill and eat." Probably he was on his knees when he saw the vision.
But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
ὁ δὲ Πέτρος εἶπε· μηδαμῶς, Κύριε· ὅτι οὐδέποτε ἔφαγον πᾶν κοινὸν ἢ ἀκάθαρτον.
"But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean." This was a thing altogether offensive to them: observe then what is providentially managed. He himself also says, "I have never eaten": not being himself afraid - far be the thought from us - but it is so contrived by the…
Wherefore did he object? That none may say that God was proving him, as in the case of Abraham, this is why he says, "Not so, Lord," etc. not gainsaying - just as to Philip also He said, "How many loaves have ye?" Not to learn, but tempting, or "proving him." And yet it was the same Lord that had discoursed above in…
And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
καὶ φωνὴ πάλιν ἐκ δευτέρου πρὸς αὐτόν· ἃ ὁ Θεὸς ἐκαθάρισε σὺ μὴ κοίνου.
"And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common." "What God hath cleansed," saith it, "call not thou common." Great daring! It seems indeed to be spoken to him, but the whole is meant for the Jews. For if the teacher is rebuked, much more these.
This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
τοῦτο δὲ ἐγένετο ἐπὶ τρίς, καὶ πάλιν ἀνελήφθη τὸ σκεῦος εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν.
"This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven." For, that it may not seem to be a mere fancy, "this was done thrice." And yet it was the same Lord that had discoursed above in the Law concerning things clean and unclean. But in that sheet were also all the four-footed beasts of the earth: the…
Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate,
Ὡς δὲ ἐν ἑαυτῷ διηπόρει ὁ Πέτρος τί ἂν εἴη τὸ ὅραμα ὃ εἶδε, καὶ ἰδοὺ οἱ ἄνδρες οἱ ἀπεσταλμένοι ἀπὸ τοῦ Κορνηλίου διερωτήσαντες τὴν οἰκίαν Σίμωνος ἐπέστησαν ἐπὶ τὸν πυλῶνα,
And for all this, he knew not what it meant. "Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, and called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged…
And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
καὶ φωνήσαντες ἐπυνθάνοντο εἰ Σίμων ὁ ἐπικαλούμενος Πέτρος ἐνθάδε ξενίζεται.
The men come at the right moment to solve his doubt: just as (the Lord) suffered Joseph first to be perturbed in mind, and then sends the Angel: for the soul with ease accepts the solution, when it has first been in perplexity. His perplexity neither lasts long (when it did occur), nor (did it occur) before this, but…
Observe too how he did not at once receive them. For, it says, they "called, and asked, whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodging there." As it was a mean looking house, they asked below, they inquired of the neighbors.
While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.
τοῦ δὲ Πέτρου διενθυμουμένου περὶ τοῦ ὁράματος εἶπεν αὐτῷ τὸ Πνεῦμα· ἰδοὺ ἄνδρες [τρεῖς] ζητοῦσί σε·
"While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them." And this again is a plea for Peter in answer to the disciples, that he did doubt, and was instructed to doubt nothing. "For I," saith…
Great is the authority of the Spirit! What God doth, this the Spirit is said to do. Not so the Angel, but having first said, "Thy prayers and thine alms have ascended, for a memorial before God," to show that he is sent from thence, then he adds, "And now send men," etc.: the Spirit not so, but, "For I have sent them."
"And while Peter thought, the Spirit said unto him, Arise, get thee down, and go, nothing doubting, for I have sent them." And he does not say, For to this end did the vision appear unto thee; but, "I have sent them. Then Peter went down"—this is the way the Spirit must be obeyed, without demanding reasons. For it is…
Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
ἀλλὰ ἀναστὰς κατάβηθι καὶ πορεύου σὺν αὐτοῖς μηδὲν διακρινόμενος, διότι ἐγὼ ἀπέσταλκα αὐτούς.
Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?
καταβὰς δὲ Πέτρος πρὸς τοὺς ἄνδρας εἶπεν· ἰδοὺ ἐγώ εἰμι ὃν ζητεῖτε· τίς ἡ αἰτία δι᾽ ἣν πάρεστε;
"Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?" He saw a soldier, saw a man: it was not that he was afraid, on the contrary, having first confessed that he was the person whom they sought, then he asks for the…
And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.
οἱ δὲ εἶπον· Κορνήλιος ἑκατοντάρχης, ἀνὴρ δίκαιος καὶ φοβούμενος τὸν Θεόν, μαρτυρούμενός τε ὑπὸ ὅλου τοῦ ἔθνους τῶν Ἰουδαίων, ἐχρηματίσθη ὑπὸ ἀγγέλου ἁγίου μεταπέμψασθαί σε εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀκοῦσαι ῥήματα παρὰ σοῦ.
"And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee." They speak his praises, so as to persuade him that an Angel has in fact appeared unto him.
"And they said, etc. into his house." This he had ordered them. Do not think he has done this out of contempt: not as of contempt has he sent, but so he was ordered.
But observe what is said of him by the soldier whom Cornelius sent: "A just man, and one that feareth God": and then - for fearing lest Peter should refuse to come to him, as being a Gentile, he adds this - "and well reported of by all the nation of the Jews." Why then, there is nothing like alms; or rather great is…
Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
εἰσκαλεσάμενος οὖν αὐτοὺς ἐξένισε. Τῇ δὲ ἐπαύριον ἀναστὰς ἐξῆλθε σὺν αὐτοῖς, καί τινες τῶν ἀδελφῶν τῶν ἀπὸ [τῆς] Ἰόππης συνῆλθον αὐτῷ,
"Then called he them in," that they may suffer no harm, "and lodged them": thenceforth he without scruple takes his meals with them. "And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Caesarea accompanied him."
"He called them in, and lodged them." Good, that first he gives the men friendly treatment, after the fatigue of their journey, and makes them at home with him; "and on the morrow," sets out with them. And certain accompany him: this too as Providence ordered it, that they should be witnesses afterwards when Peter…
"He called them in, and lodged them." Good, that first he gives the men friendly treatment, after the fatigue of their journey, and makes them at home with him; "and on the morrow," sets out with them. And certain accompany him: this too as Providence ordered it, that they should be witnesses afterwards when Peter…
And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.
καὶ τῇ ἐπαύριον εἰσῆλθον εἰς τὴν Καισάρειαν. ὁ δὲ Κορνήλιος ἦν προσδοκῶν αὐτοὺς συγκαλεσάμενος τοὺς συγγενεῖς αὐτοῦ καὶ τοὺς ἀναγκαίους φίλους.
"And the morrow after, they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends." It was right that his kinsmen and friends should be gathered to him. The man was a person of note, and it was in a city of note that he then was.
And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.
Ὡς δὲ ἐγένετο τοῦ εἰσελθεῖν τὸν Πέτρον, συναντήσας αὐτῷ ὁ Κορνήλιος πεσὼν ἐπὶ τοὺς πόδας προσεκύνησεν.
"And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him." This, both to teach the others, and by way of giving thanks to God, and showing his own humility: thereby making it plain, that though he had been commanded, yet in himself he had great piety. What then did Peter? "But…
But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
ὁ δὲ Πέτρος αὐτὸν ἤγειρε λέγων· ἀνάστηθι· κἀγὼ αὐτὸς ἄνθρωπός εἰμι.
And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.
καὶ συνομιλῶν αὐτῷ εἰσῆλθε, καὶ εὑρίσκει συνεληλυθότας πολλούς,
"And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. 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 showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean." Observe, he straightway…
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.
ἔφη τε πρὸς αὐτούς· ὑμεῖς ἐπίστασθε ὡς ἀθέμιτόν ἐστιν ἀνδρὶ Ἰουδαίῳ κολλᾶσθαι ἢ προσέρχεσθαι ἀλλοφύλῳ· καὶ ἐμοὶ ὁ Θεὸς ἔδειξε μηδένα κοινὸν ἢ ἀκάθαρτον λέγειν ἄνθρωπον·
He knew this from the first, and plans his discourse beforehand with a view to it. Gentiles? What Gentiles henceforth? They were no longer Gentiles, the Truth being come. It is nothing wonderful, he says, if before the act of baptism they received the Spirit: in our own case this same happened. Peter shows that not as…
Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?
διὸ καὶ ἀναντιρρήτως ἦλθον μεταπεμφθείς. πυνθάνομαι οὖν τίνι λόγῳ μετεπέμψασθέ με;
"Wherefore also" - that they may not think the affair a breach of the law on his part, nor Cornelius suppose that because he was in a station of command therefore he had complied, but that they may ascribe all to God - "wherefore also I came without gainsaying as soon as I was sent for:" though not only to keep…
And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
καὶ ὁ Κορνήλιος ἔφη· ἀπὸ τετάρτης ἡμέρας μέχρι ταύτης τῆς ὥρας ἤμην νηστεύων, καὶ τὴν ἐνάτην ὥραν προσευχόμενος ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ μου· καὶ ἰδοὺ ἀνὴρ ἔστη ἐνώπιόν μου ἐν ἐσθῆτι λαμπρᾷ,
What then does Cornelius? He does not say, Why, did not the soldiers tell thee? but observe again, how humbly he speaks. For he says, "From the fourth day I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, and said, Cornelius, thy prayer is…
And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
καί φησι· Κορνήλιε, εἰσηκούσθη σου ἡ προσευχὴ καὶ αἱ ἐλεημοσύναι σου ἐμνήσθησαν ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ.
Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.
πέμψον οὖν εἰς Ἰόππην καὶ μετακάλεσαι Σίμωνα ὃς ἐπικαλεῖται Πέτρος· οὗτος ξενίζεται ἐν οἰκίᾳ Σίμωνος βυρσέως παρὰ θάλασσαν· ὃς παραγενόμενος λαλήσει σοι.
Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.
ἐξαυτῆς οὖν ἔπεμψα πρός σε, σύ τε καλῶς ἐποίησας παραγενόμενος. νῦν οὖν πάντες ἡμεῖς ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ πάρεσμεν ἀκοῦσαι πάντα τὰ προστεταγμένα σοι ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ.
"Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God." See what faith, what piety! He knew that it was no word of man that Peter spake, when he said, "God hath shown me." Then says the man, "We are present to hear all things that are commanded thee of the Lord." But…
Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
Ἀνοίξας δὲ Πέτρος τὸ στόμα [αὐτοῦ] εἶπεν· ἐπ᾽ ἀληθείας καταλαμβάνομαι ὅτι οὐκ ἔστι προσωπολήπτης ὁ Θεός,
"Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons." That is, be he uncircumcised or circumcised. This also Paul declaring, saith, "For there is no respect of persons with God." And Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of…
But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
ἀλλ᾽ ἐν παντὶ ἔθνει ὁ φοβούμενος αὐτὸν καὶ ἐργαζόμενος δικαιοσύνην δεκτὸς αὐτῷ ἐστι.
"But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him." What then? It may be asked, is the man yonder in Persia acceptable to Him? If he be worthy, in this regard he is acceptable, that it should be granted him to be brought unto faith. The Eunuch from Ethiopia He overlooked not.…
The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
τὸν λόγον ὃν ἀπέστειλε τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἰσραὴλ εὐαγγελιζόμενος εἰρήνην διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ· οὗτός ἐστι πάντων Κύριος·
"The word which He sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: He is Lord of all." This he says also for the sake of those present, of the Jews, that He may persuade them also: this is why he forces Cornelius to speak. "He," saith he, "is Lord of all." But observe at the very outset, "The word,"…
That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
ὑμεῖς οἴδατε τὸ γενόμενον ῥῆμα καθ᾽ ὅλης τῆς Ἰουδαίας, ἀρξάμενον ἀπὸ τῆς Γαλιλαίας μετὰ τὸ βάπτισμα ὃ ἐκήρυξεν Ἰωάννης,
Then he adduces these Gentiles themselves as witnesses: "ye know," says he, "the matter which came to pass throughout all Judea, beginning at Galilee - then he confirms it from this also - after the baptism which John preached" - "even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Ghost and with power." He…
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Ἰησοῦν τὸν ἀπὸ Ναζαρέτ, ὡς ἔχρισεν αὐτὸν ὁ Θεὸς Πνεύματι Ἁγίῳ καὶ δυνάμει, ὃς διῆλθεν εὐεργετῶν καὶ ἰώμενος πάντας τοὺς καταδυναστευομένους ὑπὸ τοῦ διαβόλου, ὅτι ὁ Θεὸς ἦν μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ·
"How God anointed Him with the Holy Ghost and with power." Then again the proof - how does that appear? - from the good that He did. "Who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil:" and the greatness of the power shown when He overcomes the devil; and the cause, "Because God was with…
And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
καὶ ἡμεῖς ἐσμεν μάρτυρες πάντων ὧν ἐποίησεν ἔν τε τῇ χώρᾳ τῶν Ἰουδαίων καὶ ἐν Ἱερουσαλήμ· ὃν καὶ ἀνεῖλον κρεμάσαντες ἐπὶ ξύλου.
"And we are witnesses of all things which He did, both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem": both "we," saith he, and ye. Then the Passion, and the reason why they do not believe: "Whom also they slew, and hanged on a tree." Then, when he has shown that He was sent from God, he next speaks of this, that He…
Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
τοῦτον ὁ Θεὸς ἤγειρε τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτὸν ἐμφανῆ γενέσθαι,
"Him God raised up the third day, and showed Him openly; not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with Him after He rose from the dead." This is a proof of the Resurrection. "And gave Him," it is added, "to be made manifest not to all the people, but to…
Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
οὐ παντὶ τῷ λαῷ, ἀλλὰ μάρτυσι τοῖς προκεχειροτονημένοις ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἡμῖν, οἵτινες συνεφάγομεν καὶ συνεπίομεν αὐτῷ μετὰ τὸ ἀναστῆναι αὐτὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν·
And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
καὶ παρήγγειλεν ἡμῖν κηρῦξαι τῷ λαῷ καὶ διαμαρτύρασθαι ὅτι αὐτός ἐστιν ὁ ὡρισμένος ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ κριτὴς ζώντων καὶ νεκρῶν.
"And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is He which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead." This is great. Then he adduces the testimony from the Prophets. "To testify," saith he - in a manner calculated to alarm - that they may not have it in their power to fall back…
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
τούτῳ πάντες οἱ προφῆται μαρτυροῦσιν, ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν λαβεῖν διὰ τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ πάντα τὸν πιστεύοντα εἰς αὐτόν.
"To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name, whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins." This is a proof of that which was about to be: this is the reason why he here cites the Prophets. "To him give all the Prophets witness," etc. When by the terror he has agitated them, then he…
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
Ἔτι λαλοῦντος τοῦ Πέτρου τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα ἐπέπεσε τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ Ἅγιον ἐπὶ πάντας τοὺς ἀκούοντας τὸν λόγον.
He does not say that Peter was astonished, but, "They of the circumcision:" since he knew what was in preparation. And yet they ought to have marvelled at this, how they themselves had believed. When they heard that they had believed, they were not astonished, but when God gave them the Spirit.
Observe God's providential management. He does not suffer the speech to be finished, nor the baptism to take place upon a command of Peter, but, when He has made it evident how admirable their state of mind is, and a beginning is made of the work of teaching, and they have believed that assuredly baptism is the…
And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
καὶ ἐξέστησαν οἱ ἐκ περιτομῆς πιστοὶ ὅσοι συνῆλθον τῷ Πέτρῳ, ὅτι καὶ ἐπὶ τὰ ἔθνη ἡ δωρεὰ τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματος ἐκκέχυται·
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
ἤκουον γὰρ αὐτῶν λαλούντων γλώσσαις καὶ μεγαλυνόντων τὸν Θεόν.
Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
τότε ἀπεκρίθη ὁ Πέτρος· μήτι τὸ ὕδωρ κωλῦσαι δύναταί τις τοῦ μὴ βαπτισθῆναι τούτους, οἵτινες τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ Ἅγιον ἔλαβον καθὼς καὶ ἡμεῖς;
Peter seizes his advantage, and see the plea he makes of it. "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?" Mark the issue to which he brings it; how he has been travailing to bring this forth. So entirely was he of this mind! "Can any one," he asks,…
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
προσέταξέ τε αὐτοὺς βαπτισθῆναι ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι τοῦ Κυρίου. τότε ἠρώτησαν αὐτὸν ἐπιμεῖναι ἡμέρας τινάς.
"And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ." After he has cleared himself, then, and not before, he commands them to be baptized: teaching them by the facts themselves. Such was the dislike the Jews had to it! Therefore it is that he first clears himself, although the very facts cry aloud, and…
Every note is a real passage, quoted word for word from a published English translation, with its source. Nothing here is summarised or written by us. Some verses have many notes and some have none, because the Fathers wrote more on some passages than others.
All of these translations are in the public domain. The passages were matched to their verses by the Historical Christian Commentaries project, which also hosts the full texts we link to. The Fathers are a treasury of the Church's mind, and they are best read alongside the life of the Church: if a passage raises a question, bring it to your priest.