Peter’s Vision: A Study in Context

And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven. (Acts 10:10-16, ESV)

Peter’s vision in Acts 10 is often interpreted as a message from God that we no longer need to observe the dietary requirements of the Torah. If we lift the above verses out of context and read them in isolation, this does seem like the obvious interpretation of Peter’s vision. Peter was shown unclean animals, he was told to eat them, he refused on the basis the animals were unclean, then he was told not to call the animals unclean because God made them clean. It all seems straight-forward and clear. But, are these verses the full context of the vision? What is the surrounding context?

The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. (Acts 10:9, ESV)

If we back up just one verse prior to the detail of Peter’s vision, we see context clues that there is more to the narrative than just Peter’s vision. Peter’s vision occurred “the next day”. The next day after what? What happened on the prior day? Who are the unidentified people in verse 9? Why are these people approaching Peter’s location? How do the prior day’s events and the people travelling to Peter relate to his vision? Or vice versa, how does Peter’s vision relate to these people travelling to him?

Peter’s vision is just one small segment of a larger narrative. To fully understand Peter’s vision, its relevance, and why God gave it to him, we must study the entire narrative in its full context. The entire narrative spans Acts 10:1 through Acts 11:18.

At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa. (Acts 10:1-8, ESV)

The narrative opens with a man named Cornelius. Cornelius was a centurion, a ranking member of the Roman military, attached to a regiment known as the Italian Cohort in the city of Caesarea. Cornelius was a Goy, a Gentile, who believed YHWH and had great faith. Cornelius received a vision instructing him to send people to Joppa to bring back Peter. Cornelius obeyed the vision by sending two of his servants and one of his soldiers. So, we have the opening context of the narrative as follows:

Who: Cornelius, a Roman centurion and gentile believer
Where: The city of Caesarea
What: Cornelius had a vision instructing him to send people to fetch the apostle Peter
What Next: Cornelius sent two servants and a soldier to fetch Peter

The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven. (Acts 10:9-16, ESV)

Now we arrive at Peter’s vision, and we have the full context of what’s going on. At the time Cornelius’ servants and soldier are on their way to Peter, Peter goes on his rooftop to pray. Peter receives his vision.

Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” So he invited them in to be his guests. (Acts 10:17-23, ESV)

If we continue to read the text after Peter’s vision, we find he was perplexed by the vision he received. We often think Peter’s vision is straight-forward and simple, but he found it difficult. This should cause us to pause and not rush to a quick interpretation of the vision. What do we know about Peter? Peter was an apostle, he walked with Jesus during Jesus’ time in the physical world, he had great zeal for YHWH and Messiah, he was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he is the only human know to have enough faith to walk on water. And despite all his faith, zeal, and anointing, he still thought the vision was perplexing and required more thought to understand.

Cornelius’ people arrive just after Peter receives his vision. This is no coincidence; YHWH had these gentile believers travel to Peter, and He gave Peter a vision telling him not to call unclean what YHWH has made clean. The vision was given in preparation of receiving these gentile believers, and it was given at precisely the right time for Peter to hear the message then meet the people at his door.

The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.” (Acts 10:23-29, ESV)

When Peter addressed Cornelius in Caesarea, we finally received the interpretation of the vision. In the Torah, we are often told not to intermingle with Goyim (Gentiles). The reason YHWH said not to associate with the other nations of the world is they were unbelievers, and their practices would corrupt us and lead us away from Him (this is seen repeatedly in the Tanakh with marrying foreign wives, adopting worship practices of other nations, etc.). Even when Jesus was physically on earth, he came for Hebrews not Gentiles. But, Jesus’ atoning sacrifice was for everyone, and all people can receive salvation through faith in him. With atonement from Jesus, all people can become clean through faith in him.

This is the interpretation of the vision: It was against Torah to associate with the gentiles of the world, because their practices would infiltrate Israel and draw the people away from YHWH. But, gentiles who truly believe and receive Jesus’ salvation can come into the faith, receive atonement, and be accepted among Israel. The vision told Peter not to regard Cornelius and his servants as unclean and not to refuse to go to them; Peter directly states this interpretation of the vision in verse 28. If Peter had not received this vision from YHWH, he most likely would have refused the request to go to Cornelius.

And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.” (Acts 10:30-33, ESV)

So God not only told Peter to see gentiles as clean, but He sent Peter to begin bringing the gospel to the gentiles.

So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (Acts 10:34-43, ESV)

Consistent with his interpretation of the vision, Peter acknowledges YHWH is accepting of people from all nations who believe Him. Peter then relates the gospel message to Cornelius and everyone in his house.

While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days. (Acts 10:44-48, ESV)

The people in Cornelius’ house believed and were filled with the Holy Spirit. The experience of these gentile believers being filled with the Spirit parallels the receiving of the Spirit on Shavuot (Pentacost) in Acts 2. The Hebrew believers were amazed that Gentiles have been accepted by God in to the kingdom, but there is no denying their anointing.

Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” (Acts 11:1-3, ESV)

News of the Gentile conversion spread. Peter faced criticism and backlash, because the knowledge of his vision had not yet been related to the rest of the church.

But Peter began and explained it to them in order: “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me. Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’ This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea. And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.” (Acts 11:4-18, ESV)

So, Peter related his vision and the circumstances surrounding it to other members of the church. The people understood the vision and the events that transpired, and the narrative closes with acknowledgment that YHWH has redeemed Gentiles and brought them into the faith.

Summary

Peter’s vision is often misinterpreted because it’s lifted out of context. If we ignore the surrounding text and read only the detail of Peter’s vision it’s easy to misinterpret and misapply the vision. And that is what commonly happens, people lift the vision out of context and erroneously apply it towards the dietary requirements of the Torah.

But when we study in full context we can understand the true meaning, purpose, and application of Peter’s vision. Peter’s vision told him not to dismiss Gentile people as unclean. YHWH’s intent was to redeem even Gentiles, and Gentile believers are made clean by Messiah’s atoning sacrifice. Scripture interprets the vision for us; Peter directly states “God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean” in Acts 10:28, and other Hebrew believers with him and within the church acknowledge this to be so.