Acts 10:19

While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(19) The Spirit said unto him, . . . .—The words seem to imply a state of consciousness intermediate between the “trance” that had passed away and the normal state of every-day life. The “voice” no longer seemed to come from heaven to the outward ear, but was heard as not less divine in the secret recesses of his soul.

Benson Commentary

Acts 10:19-22. While Peter thought on the vision — Was meditating on what he had seen and heard; the Spirit said unto him — God, by his Spirit, suggested to his mind, as manifestly as if he had whispered in his ear, (as he spake to Samuel, 1 Samuel 9:15;) Behold three men seek thee; arise therefore &c. — Delay not, but go down to these men, and go with them — The journey which they shall propose; doubting nothing — Without any hesitation or scruple on account of the messengers being Gentiles, and coming from one who is also a Gentile. For I have sent them — And have shown thee, that the great ceremonial distinction between Jew and Gentile, clean and unclean, is now to be abolished. And when thou comest to compare their message with what thou hast now seen, thou wilt easily know the intent of this vision, and the use thou art to make of it for thine own direction. How gradually was Peter prepared to receive this new admonition of the Spirit! Thus God is wont to lead on his children by degrees, always giving them light for the present hour. Then Peter went down to the men — Instantly, before any message from them could reach him. And said — To them, while they continued at the door; Behold, I am he whom you seek — The person you inquire for; what is the cause wherefore ye are come? — Peter, not perfectly knowing yet whither all this tended, makes the more exact inquiry. And they said, Cornelius, &c. — Endeavouring to prevent any prejudice which Peter might have against Cornelius, on account of his being a Gentile, they inform him: 1st, That he was a just, or righteous, Man 1:2 d, That he worshipped the true God, the God whom the Jews worshipped, and not the false gods of the Gentiles. 3d, That he was of good report even among the Jews; was reputed by them a pious and good man; so that it would be no disparagement to him to go to him. And, 4th, What must have been an irresistible argument with Peter, that he had been warned by an angel to send for him to his house. When God’s command is evident, his true people do not hesitate to obey.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

10:19-33 When we see our call clear to any service, we should not be perplexed with doubts and scruples arising from prejudices or former ideas. Cornelius had called together his friends, to partake with him of the heavenly wisdom he expected from Peter. We should not covet to eat our spiritual morsels alone. It ought to be both given and taken as kindness and respect to our kindred and friends, to invite them to join us in religious exercises. Cornelius declared the direction God gave him to send for Peter. We are right in our aims in attending a gospel ministry, when we do it with regard to the Divine appointment requiring us to make use of that ordinance. How seldom ministers are called to speak to such companies, however small, in which it may be said that they are all present in the sight of God, to hear all things that are commanded of God! But these were ready to hear what Peter was commanded of God to say.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The Spirit - See the notes on Acts 8:29. Compare Isaiah 65:24, "And it shall come to pass, that before they call I will answer," etc.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

17-24. while Peter doubted … what this should mean, behold, the three men … stood before the gate … and asked—"were inquiring," that is, in the act of doing so. The preparations here made—of Peter for his Gentile visitors, as of Cornelius for him—are devoutly to be noted. But besides this, at the same moment, "the Spirit" expressly informs him that three men were inquiring for him, and bids him unhesitatingly go with them, as sent by Him.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

Thought on the vision; set himself to meditate upon that he had seen and heard.

The Spirit said unto him; the Holy Spirit informs him further. Thus whosoever meditares carefully upon what he hears from God’s word, God will never leave him without sufficient instruction.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Which greatly amused him, affected his mind, and employed his thoughts what should be the meaning and design of it:

the Spirit said unto him; the holy Spirit of God, either by an articulate voice, or by making an impulse on his mind;

behold, three men seek thee; the Arabic version leaves out the word "three": the Spirit of God is omniscient, and knows all things; if the deep things of God, then much more man, and the things of man.

Geneva Study Bible

While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Expositor's Greek Testament

Acts 10:19. ἐνθυμουμένου: compound verb best, see critical notes: “pondered on the vision,” Rendall; διενθ. verb = to weigh in the mind, only here, not found in LXX or elsewhere, except in ecclesiastical writers.—ἄνδρες τρεῖς, so A. and R.V., see critical notes.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

19. While Peter thought on the vision] The original has a conjunction “Now” at the beginning of this verse.

Peter was turning over his difficulty in his mind, and asking what God would have him learn by this lesson about the abolition of differences in meats. And while he was thus pondering the explanation came.

the Spirit said unto him] Thus the arrival of the three men was, by the inward admonition of the Spirit, connected with his vision.

three men] The two servants and the soldier whom Cornelius had sent (Acts 10:7).

Bengel's Gnomen

Acts 10:19. Ἰδοὺ, Behold) Peter was prepared by degrees for receiving this new direction (suggestion) of the Spirit. Believers are led gradually, so far as is sufficient for the time being, in each particular case.—ἄνδρες, men[61]) Peter had not heard the three men ‘calling.’

[61] The reading ἄνδρες τρεῖς, which was pronounced to be less established by the margins of the Greek Editions, is notwithstanding received by the Germ. Vers.—E. B.

ACEe Vulg. Memph. read the τρεῖς: and so Lachm. But Dd and later Syr. omit it: and so Tisch. B has δύο: comp. ver. 7.—E. and T.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 19. - And while for while, A.V. Thought (διενθυμουμένου, R.T.), stronger than the ἐνθυμουμένου of the T.R.; thought over through and through; considered in all its bearings. It only occurs here and two or three times in Cyril and other Church writers. The Spirit (so Acts 11:12). In Acts 13:2 it is τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἄγιον. Acts 10:19

Vincent's Word Studies

Thought on (διενθυμουμένου)

Was earnestly (διά) pondering.