Atos 10
Theophylact of Ohrid
Atos 10:1-2
This Cornelius was neither a Jew nor one of those under the Law, and yet he already led the same way of life as we do. Here already two people invested with honors believe in Christ — the treasurer of the Ethiopian woman and this one, "a devout man who feared God with all his household." We do not care for our household members, but this man cared even for the soldiers. He was "a centurion of the cohort called the Italian." He makes this man known and provides detailed information about him so that no one would say that in Sacred Scripture there are errors against history. (It should be known that a cohort — speira — consisted of two hundred soldiers, and a custodia of sixty.) — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:3
"He in a vision clearly saw about the ninth hour of the day an Angel of God, who came in to him." He sees an Angel to supplement Peter's faith. Or, rather, not for him, but for others, weaker in faith. "About the ninth hour of the day," when he had set aside his cares and was in quietness and rest. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:4
Since the True Eye and Great Judge knows that even great deeds, without faith, are dead, He also sends an Angel who affirms the significance of their deeds, so that those who strive well may be crowned with faith. From the vision, fear was aroused in Cornelius, however, a moderate fear, only as much as was necessary to arouse his attention. Then the words of the Angel dispelled the fear. "Your prayers and your alms have come up as a memorial before God." See where prayer goes — to the highest heaven, and stands before the very royal throne. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:5
Pay attention also to the Angel: he first elevates and raises the thoughts of Cornelius to the highest, and only then says: "Send men to Joppa and call for Simon, who is called Peter. He is staying with a certain Simon, a tanner." So that they would not go to someone else, he identifies this man not only by name but also by the place where he is: "whose house is by the sea." The Apostles chose places far from cities; they loved the wilderness and quiet. What if it happens that there is another Simon the tanner? Here is the distinguishing sign: this one lives by the sea. The Angel did not say what this was for, so as to fill him with joy to overflowing. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:6
"He is staying with a certain Simon, a tanner." So that they would not go to someone else, he identifies this man not only by name but also by the place where he is: "whose house is by the sea." The Apostles chose places far from cities; they loved the wilderness and quiet. What if it happens that there is another Simon the tanner? Here is the distinguishing sign: this one lives by the sea. The Angel did not say what this was for, so as to fill him with joy to overflowing. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:7
"Having called two of his servants and a devout soldier." See, it is not without reason that it is said these were people who were constantly attending him. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:8
"Having told them everything, he sent them to Joppa." Notice the absence of arrogance. He did not say "summon Peter to me," but told them everything, so as to thereby motivate him to come to him, because he considered it improper to summon him by virtue of his authority. That is why he told everything to those he sent. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:9
Look how the Spirit brings the times together and makes it so that this is accomplished neither earlier nor later. "Peter about the sixth hour went up on the housetop to pray." That is, in a secluded place and in quiet. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:10
"He fell into a trance." This means both amazement at the sight of a miracle, and that state when a person is not in control of his senses, being caught up into the spiritual world. Thus, it was as if a spiritual vision for him. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:11
"A certain vessel descending to him, as it were a great sheet." The foremost of the apostles, Peter, had need of a Divine revelation concerning the calling of the Gentiles to the Christian faith, because he did not know that circumcision and uncircumcision make no difference with regard to faith. Peter, of course, did not clearly know that the Lord had said that when the ministry of faith was opened, the Gentiles too were to be taught this faith — he did not know until His ineffable will, through this vision, revealed this mystery, convincing him of it, on the one hand, by the example of the descending sheet, and on the other hand, by the fact that the grace of the Holy Spirit was also bestowed upon the Gentiles upon their conversion to the faith, convincing him that in Christ there is no distinction between Jew and Greek. "Bound at four corners and let down to the earth." The four edges represent the four elements, the vessel that appeared signifies the coarsest world, and the various animals are symbols of the condition of people. A symbol of the entire universe was this man, Cornelius, with the foreskin, because he had nothing in common with the Jews. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:12
The species of animals are taken in place of human characteristics, and from the description of Peter's vision it is known that in the vessel that descended from heaven there were all kinds of animals: creeping things, birds, and four-footed beasts. This is because the word figuratively depicts that those who are to turn to the faith are under the dominion of various sins, that they have become like either four-footed beasts in cruelty, or creeping things in venomousness, or birds in the lightness and inconstancy of their nature. And moreover, serpents are taken as a symbol of the Sadducees and Pharisees, and the fox as a symbol of Herod, and horses aroused by the passion for sexual union as a symbol of lustful people; sheep stand for the most gentle people, goats for the unsociable and indifferent, and hedgehogs for the rich; of them the Lord said that with their thorns they pierce the word and make it barren. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:13-14
Everyone would have begun to accuse Peter as a lawbreaker, and therefore it is arranged by the Spirit so that he would have a defense; that is why he objects to the Angel. For he had to fully observe the law. So this is arranged so that they would not begin to accuse him. Perhaps, having knelt down, he saw the vision. And what happened was a Divine act, that is, that he saw things above and was in a state of ecstasy, and heard a voice from there. Because Peter himself heard the Lord's command: "Do not go on the road to the Gentiles" (Matt. 10:5). If even Paul had need of circumcision and the offering of sacrifice, then all the more so at that time, at the beginning of the preaching, when they were very weak. But Peter did not say that all things are defiled and unclean, but only those which the law also called defiled and unclean. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:15
"Again a voice came to him: 'What God has cleansed, do not call unclean.'" Apparently, the voice is addressed to Peter, but in the meantime everything is being said to the Jews. Because if this teacher endures reproach, then all the more do they deserve it. But God, who traced the image of His Church, said that she should not consider anything unclean for herself. Because everything is clean for a person that he receives with thanksgiving and the blessing of God. But if here there was contained a parabolic indication concerning the calling of the nations, so as not to consider those who have uncircumcised foreskin as defiled and unclean, still Peter's speech contained an indication not about people, but about animals forbidden by the law of Moses. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:16
And that three times he confessed that the animals there were unclean. And the fact that the vessel descended from heaven and ascended back there — this is a great proof of purity. So this is accomplished for those to whom it is to be told. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:17
The sheet (shroud) signifies the earth, and the beasts in it signify the Gentiles. The saying "kill and eat" (v. 13) means that they too must come to Christ, and the fact that this is repeated three times signifies baptism. Thus, the true meaning of the vision points him to the teaching of the Trinity, just as faith in the Trinity constitutes true worship of God. "Behold, the men sent by Cornelius." These men arrive at just the right moment to resolve the perplexity. For Christ also allowed Joseph first to become frightened, and then sent the Angel, because the soul readily accepts a resolution after having first experienced perplexity. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:18
And moreover, he did not have to remain in perplexity for long, nor did it arise beforehand, but at the very moment when they were asking whether he was staying there. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:19
"Meanwhile, as Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him: 'Behold, three men are looking for you.'" Again, this too serves as an apology for Peter before the disciples, so that they might see that he was deliberating and received instruction not to deliberate. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:20
For he was told: "Go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them." Great is the authority of the Spirit, because what God the Father does, the same does the Holy Spirit also. The angel said: "Your prayers and your alms" (v. 4), to show that he was sent from there; but the Spirit does not act this way, but says: "For I have sent them." Therefore, one must obey the Spirit. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:21
First Peter acknowledged that he was the one they were seeking, and then asked about the reason for their coming, so that he might either be ready at once to go with them, or, if that was not necessary, to lodge them in the house. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:22
And the messengers spoke praises of Cornelius in order to convince Peter that an Angel had appeared to him. Authority over the people is in the hands of a pious man who by his own merits has proven worthy of it. True, it does happen that those who hold power do not live up to their position; but if this were not the case, then what would there be to talk about? — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:23
"To call you into his house." Not out of a feeling of contempt, they say, did he send, but because he was so commanded. Therefore, do not disregard it: it is good that Peter first treats these men in a friendly manner, since they were weary, and thus wins them over to himself. And that some from Joppa went with him, this happened by divine providence, so that afterwards they might be witnesses when Peter needed to defend himself. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:24
This was a glorious man and he had his dwelling in a glorious city. "Having called together his relatives." This is the mark of a truly pious friend: Cornelius, being surrounded by so many blessings, makes everyone partakers and close friends. They are called close friends because he could rely on them when he faced labors and cares over so many subordinates. Both friends and relatives, it seems to me, were nourished by his food. See how Cornelius was confident that Peter would certainly come. This is because the Angel appeared to him not in a dream, but while he was in a state of wakefulness and during the day. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:26
"But Peter raised him up, saying: stand up; I too am a man." By this he instructs the others as well and offers thanksgiving to God, showing his humility. Look: before everything else he teaches them not to think highly of themselves at all. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:28
He discusses the love of God for mankind and shows that God granted them great gifts, and at the same time speaks of something great, yet speaks with humility. Because he did not say: "People! We have come to you, though we consider it unworthy to associate with anyone," but said: "You know that God pronounced such a commandment that it was considered unlawful 'for a Jew to associate with or approach a foreigner; but God revealed to me that I should not call any person common or unclean.'" It is remarkable that God Himself commanded the Christian people that they "should not call any man common or unclean," but should live with them, because they too, perhaps, would believe in Christ with particular fervor. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:29
"So I ask: for what purpose have you summoned me?" Peter had already heard everything from the soldiers, but he desired that they confess and become upright in the faith. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:30
"At the ninth hour I was praying in my house." What does this mean? It seems to me that, with the most careful order in his life, his time was distributed, and moreover on certain days, which is why he said: "four days ago." See how powerful prayer is. When he was advancing in the matter of piety, then the Angel appeared to him—that is one day; when those sent by Cornelius set out, that is also one; when they were traveling—one, and the fourth turns out to be from the third hour, when he was praying. "A man stood before me in bright clothing." He does not say "an angel," but "a man." So far is he from pride. You see the thought that flows from this; you see how he was worthy of all this. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:33
"Now we are all present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee from God." He did not say "before man," but "before God." Therefore, one must listen attentively to the servants of God. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:34
"Truly I perceive…" I perceive that God does not look at the quality of a person's face, but at the distinction of deeds. By what Peter says, he clearly shows that the God whom Cornelius feared, about whom he received instruction from the law and the prophets, for whose sake he also gave alms — that this God is truly God. He lacked knowledge of the Son. See how he does not allow his thought to become exalted. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:35
"In every nation." He says this so that you would not think that the Gentiles belong to the category of the rejected. "He who works righteousness is acceptable to Him." The expression "righteousness" is used in place of "with every virtue." He did not say "is saved," but "is acceptable to Him," that is, worthy of being accepted by God. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:36
"He sent the word to the sons of Israel." He gives preference to the sons of Israel. He says this for the sake of those present, in order to persuade them. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:38
"How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power." This is understood in terms of His humanity. Since He emptied Himself and took on our flesh and our blood (cf. Heb. 2:14), it is said of Him that as man He receives what He possesses by nature as God. For He receives not for Himself, but for us, as in the beginning He did this for Himself, or rather, since He is God the Word, this was His own. The expression "oppressed by the devil" points to the many injuries dependent on the devil and the damage in bodies caused by him. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:39
"They killed Him, hanging Him on a tree." Again he speaks of the humiliation. Having shown that He was sent by God, the apostle Peter says that He was also killed. Lest you consider anything inconsistent, note that they never conceal the teaching about the cross, but along with everything else they also present the manner of death. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:41
"Witnesses… chosen before." Although Jesus Christ Himself chose them, the expression "chosen before" he ascribes to God the Father. "Who ate and drank with Him." Look at how he confirms the truth of the resurrection. Why did Jesus Christ, after rising, not perform any miracle, but ate and drank? Because the resurrection itself was a great miracle. Moreover, there is not and could not be in this case a greater miracle than that He ate and drank. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:42
"And to testify." To testify, he says, clearly, so that they would not fall into ignorance. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:43
"All the prophets bear witness about Him." Whatever prophets spoke about the remission of sins, they all said that sins are forgiven in this Jesus. Thus Isaiah also speaks in His person: "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins" (Isa. 43:25). Peter, however, did not say that He is the Son of God, but rather what frightened them more — the preparation suited to the occasion is drawn from the prophets, because they enjoyed great renown. But having shaken the people with fear, he grants them a concession, one uttered not by him but by the prophets. Thus the fearful things he speaks on his own behalf, while that which is filled with gentleness — on behalf of the prophets. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:44
Notice God's economy. God did not allow Peter's speech to be brought to completion or for baptism to be performed by Peter's order; but as soon as He saw that their minds were filled with amazement and a beginning of instruction had been laid, and they fully believed that baptism is the remission of sins, then the Spirit descended. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:45-46
Moreover, they began to speak in various tongues, which amazed those gathered. Meanwhile, God was arranging in advance a great defense for Peter in this matter. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 10:47
"Who can forbid water for baptizing these who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" And what need was there for water, when the Holy Spirit had descended upon them? So I will show it and explain to you this hidden mystery. In it the Divine symbols are fully expressed: the tomb and dying, resurrection and life. Just as it is easy for us to be immersed and to emerge, so it is easy for God to bury the old man and to reveal the new. And this happens three times so that you may learn that all this is accomplished by the power of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. And that what has been said is not merely a simple conjecture, listen to Paul, who says: "We were buried with Him through baptism into death" (Rom. 6:4). And again: "Our old man was crucified with Him" (Rom. 6:6). And again: "We have been united with Him in the likeness of His death" (Rom. 6:5). — Commentary on Acts