Bible Strands
Acts 10:17
While Peter was puzzling over the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found Simon’s house and approached the gate.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Peter remains at Simon’s house while men sent by Cornelius arrive at the gate to locate him. This moment follows immediately after the third repetition of the vision and the sheet’s sudden return to heaven.
The words — διηπόρει (diēporei) literally means "was perplexed" or "was puzzling over." ἑαυτῷ (he'autō) places the action inwardly, literally "in himself," indicating Peter’s internal processing.
The thread — The same Greek verb for perplexity appears in Acts 2:12 when the crowd questions Pentecost, and in Acts 5:24 regarding the temple guard’s reaction to the apostles’ release. John 13:12 also records Jesus asking his disciples if they understand his actions.
Why it lands — The text states that divine instruction often precedes full comprehension. It requires readers to remain stationed and responsive when God’s messengers arrive, regardless of unresolved questions.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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,
Cross-references
- John 13:12 When Jesus had washed their feet and put on His outer garments, He reclined with them again and asked, “Do you know what I have done for you?
- Acts 2:12 Astounded and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
- Acts 5:24 When the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard this account, they were perplexed as to what was happening.
- Acts 9:43 And Peter stayed for several days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon.
- Acts 10:3 One day at about the ninth hour, he had a clear vision of an angel of God who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”
- Acts 10:7 When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among his attendants.
- Acts 25:20 Since I was at a loss as to how to investigate these matters, I asked if he was willing to go to Jerusalem and be tried there on these charges.
- 1 Peter 1:11 trying to determine the time and setting to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.