Acts 10:4

Cornelius stared at him in fear and asked, “What is it, Lord?” The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have ascended as a memorial offering before God.

Berean Standard Bible

Follow its threads on the canvas →

Study note

Setting — An angel addresses Cornelius, a Roman centurion, immediately after appearing to him at the ninth hour of prayer (Acts 10:3). The angel's first words are not a command but an affirmation of what Cornelius has already been doing.

The words — Ἀτενίσας (atenisas) means "having looked intently," a rare verb for a fixed, unblinking stare that conveys more than casual attention. Ἐμφοβός (emphobos) compounds "in" + "fear," marking a state of being seized by dread rather than a passing worry.

The thread — Hebrews 6:10 states that God will not forget the work and love shown to His people, and Malachi 3:16 records a "scroll of remembrance" written for those who feared the LORD. Philippians 4:6 frames the posture of bringing requests to God, which the angel here confirms was already happening.

Why it lands — The verse treats prayer and alms as a single unit registered before God, not as separate categories. It asks the reader to hold the conviction that their prayers and acts of mercy are not dissipated into the air but are accounted for.

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

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.

Cross-references

Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.
Malachi 3:16 At that time those who feared the LORD spoke with one another, and the LORD listened and heard them. So a scroll of remembrance was written before Him regarding those who feared the LORD and honored His name.
Acts 10:31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been remembered before God.
Psalms 141:2 May my prayer be set before You like incense; my uplifted hands, like the evening offering.
Revelation 8:4 And the smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, rose up before God from the hand of the angel.
Luke 1:12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear.
Hebrews 13:16 And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Philippians 4:18 I have all I need and more, now that I have received your gifts from Epaphroditus. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.
Daniel 10:11 He said to me, “Daniel, you are a man who is highly precious. Consider carefully the words that I am about to say to you. Stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he had said this to me, I stood up trembling.