Acts 10:28
New International Version
He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.

New Living Translation
Peter told them, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
He said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with a foreigner or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.

Berean Literal Bible
And he was saying to them, "You know how unlawful it is for a Jew to unite himself or to come near to a foreigner. But God has shown me not to call any man common or unclean.

King James Bible
And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

New King James Version
Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

New American Standard Bible
And he said to them, “You yourselves know that it is forbidden for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a foreigner; and yet God has shown me that I am not to call any person unholy or unclean.

NASB 1995
And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a man who is a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit him; and yet God has shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean.

NASB 1977
And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a man who is a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit him; and yet God has shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean.

Legacy Standard Bible
And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a man who is a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit him; and yet God has shown me that I should not call any man defiled or unclean.

Amplified Bible
He said to them, “You know that it is unlawful for a Jewish man to associate with or befriend a Gentile, or to visit him; and yet God has shown me that I am not to call anyone common or [ceremonially] unclean.

Christian Standard Bible
Peter said to them, “You know it’s forbidden for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a foreigner, but God has shown me that I must not call any person impure or unclean.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Peter said to them, “You know it’s forbidden for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a foreigner. But God has shown me that I must not call any person common or unclean.

American Standard Version
and he said unto them, Ye yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to join himself or come unto one of another nation; and yet unto me hath God showed that I should not call any man common or unclean:

Contemporary English Version
and Peter said to them, "You know that we Jews are not allowed to have anything to do with other people. But God has shown me that he doesn't think anyone is unclean or unfit.

English Revised Version
and he said unto them, Ye yourselves know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to join himself or come unto one of another nation; and yet unto me hath God shewed that I should not call any man common or unclean:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He said to them, "You understand how wrong it is for a Jewish man to associate or visit with anyone of another race. But God has shown me that I should no longer call anyone impure or unclean.

Good News Translation
He said to them, "You yourselves know very well that a Jew is not allowed by his religion to visit or associate with Gentiles. But God has shown me that I must not consider any person ritually unclean or defiled.

International Standard Version
He told them, "You understand how wrong it is for a Jew to associate or visit with unbelievers. But God has shown me that I should stop calling anyone common or unclean,

Majority Standard Bible
He said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with a foreigner or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.

NET Bible
He said to them, "You know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile, yet God has shown me that I should call no person defiled or ritually unclean.

New Heart English Bible
He said to them, "You yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man who is a Jew to join himself or come to one of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said to them, Ye know that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come to one of another nation; but God hath shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

Weymouth New Testament
He said to them, "You know better than most that a Jew is strictly forbidden to associate with a Gentile or visit him; but God has taught me to call no one unholy or unclean.

World English Bible
He said to them, “You yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man who is a Jew to join himself or come to one of another nation, but God has shown me that I shouldn’t call any man unholy or unclean.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he said to them, “You know how it is unlawful for a man, a Jew, to keep company with, or to come to, one of another race, but God showed to me to call no man common or unclean;

Berean Literal Bible
And he was saying to them, "You know how unlawful it is for a Jew to unite himself or to come near to a foreigner. But God has shown me not to call any man common or unclean.

Young's Literal Translation
And he said unto them, 'Ye know how it is unlawful for a man, a Jew, to keep company with, or to come unto, one of another race, but to me God did shew to call no man common or unclean;

Smith's Literal Translation
And he said to them, Ye know that it is violating law for a man a Jew to join himself, or come near to a strange tribe: and God shewed me to call no man common or unclean.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said to them: You know how abominable it is for a man that is a Jew, to keep company or to come unto one of another nation: but God hath shewed to me, to call no man common or unclean.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said to them: “You know how abominable it would be for a Jewish man to be joined with, or to be added to, a foreign people. But God has revealed to me to call no man common or unclean.

New American Bible
and said to them, “You know that it is unlawful for a Jewish man to associate with, or visit, a Gentile, but God has shown me that I should not call any person profane or unclean.

New Revised Standard Version
and he said to them, “You yourselves know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to visit a Gentile; but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So he said to them, You know well that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with a stranger who is not of his tribe; but God has showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And he said to them, “You know that a man who is of the Jews is not allowed to join a foreign person, who is not one of his race. God has shown me that I should not say that a man is unclean or defiled.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And he said to them: You know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with one of another nation, or to go into his house. But God has showed me that I must not call any man common or unclean.

Godbey New Testament
and he said to them, You know how it is an unlawful thing for a Jewish man to associate with, or come to one of another nation; and God has shown me not to call any man unconsecrated or unclean.

Haweis New Testament
And he said unto them, Ye know how contrary it is to established usage, for a man who is a Jew to associate with or visit one of another nation; but God hath shewed me to call no man common or unclean.

Mace New Testament
said he, how unlawful it is for a Jew, to frequent a stranger, or even to go to his house: but God hath shewed me, that I should not look upon any man as common and unclean.

Weymouth New Testament
He said to them, "You know better than most that a Jew is strictly forbidden to associate with a Gentile or visit him; but God has taught me to call no one unholy or unclean.

Worrell New Testament
and he says to them, "Ye know that it is unlawful for a Jew to join himself with, or come to, one of another race; and yet God showed me that I should call no man common or unclean.

Worsley New Testament
And he said unto them, Ye know how unlawful it is for a man that is a Jew, to associate with or go to the house of one of another nation: but God hath shewn me, that I should not call any man polluted or unclean.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Peter Visits Cornelius
27As Peter talked with him, he went inside and found many people gathered together. 28 He said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with a foreigner or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. 29So when I was invited, I came without objection. I ask, then, why have you sent for me?”…

Cross References
Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:14-16
For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility / by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees. He did this to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace / and reconciling both of them to God in one body through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility.

Colossians 3:11
Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all.

John 4:9
“You are a Jew,” said the woman. “How can You ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)

Romans 10:12
For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: The same Lord is Lord of all, and gives richly to all who call on Him,

Matthew 15:24-28
He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” / The woman came and knelt before Him. “Lord, help me!” she said. / But Jesus replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” ...

Mark 7:24-30
Jesus left that place and went to the region of Tyre. Not wanting anyone to know He was there, He entered a house, but was unable to escape their notice. / Instead, a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit soon heard about Jesus, and she came and fell at His feet. / Now she was a Greek woman of Syrophoenician origin, and she kept asking Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter. ...

John 18:28
Then they led Jesus away from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. By now it was early morning, and the Jews did not enter the Praetorium, to avoid being defiled and unable to eat the Passover.

Acts 11:2-3
So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers took issue with him / and said, “You visited uncircumcised men and ate with them.”

Acts 15:8-9
And God, who knows the heart, showed His approval by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us. / He made no distinction between us and them, for He cleansed their hearts by faith.

Romans 3:29-30
Is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, / since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.

1 Corinthians 12:13
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink.

Galatians 2:12
For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself, for fear of those in the circumcision group.

Isaiah 56:3-7
Let no foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD say, “The LORD will utterly exclude me from His people.” And let the eunuch not say, “I am but a dry tree.” / For this is what the LORD says: “To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, who choose what pleases Me and hold fast to My covenant— / I will give them, in My house and within My walls, a memorial and a name better than that of sons and daughters. I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off. ...

Leviticus 20:24-26
But I have told you that you will inherit their land, since I will give it to you as an inheritance—a land flowing with milk and honey. I am the LORD your God, who has set you apart from the peoples. / You are therefore to distinguish between clean and unclean animals and birds. Do not become contaminated by any animal or bird, or by anything that crawls on the ground; I have set these apart as unclean for you. / You are to be holy to Me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be My own.


Treasury of Scripture

And he said to them, You know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come to one of another nation; but God has showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

that it.

Acts 11:2,3
And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, …

Acts 22:21,22
And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles…

John 4:9,27
Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans…

but.

Acts 10:15,34
And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common…

Acts 11:9
But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

Acts 15:8,9
And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; …

Jump to Previous
Associate Aware Better Common Company Forbidden Foreigner Gentile Jew Join Law Nation Shewed Shouldn't Shown Strictly Unclean Unholy Unlawful Visit Yourselves
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Associate Aware Better Common Company Forbidden Foreigner Gentile Jew Join Law Nation Shewed Shouldn't Shown Strictly Unclean Unholy Unlawful Visit Yourselves
Acts 10
1. Cornelius, a devout man, being commanded by an angel, sends for Peter,
11. who by a vision is taught not to despise the Gentiles;
17. and is commanded by the Spirit to go with the messenger to Caesarea.
25. Cornelius shows the occasion of his sending for him.
34. As he preaches Christ to Cornelius and his company,
44. the Holy Spirit falls on them, and they are baptized.














He said to them
This phrase introduces the speaker, Peter, who is addressing a group of people. In the context of Acts 10, Peter is speaking to Cornelius and his household. The Greek word for "said" is "εἶπεν" (eipen), which is a common verb used in the New Testament to denote speaking or declaring. This sets the stage for an important revelation and teaching moment, as Peter is about to convey a significant message from God.

You know how unlawful it is
The phrase "unlawful" comes from the Greek word "ἀθέμιτος" (athemitos), which means something that is forbidden or against custom. In Jewish tradition, it was considered improper for a Jew to associate closely with Gentiles. This reflects the deep-seated cultural and religious barriers that existed between Jews and Gentiles at the time. Peter acknowledges this societal norm, highlighting the radical nature of what is about to unfold.

for a Jew
The term "Jew" refers to the descendants of the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and Levi, who were the primary inhabitants of Judea. In the first-century context, Jews were known for their strict adherence to the Mosaic Law and their separation from Gentile practices. This identity was central to their religious and cultural life, and it often led to a sense of exclusivity.

to associate with
The Greek word used here is "κολλάομαι" (kollao), which means to join closely or to cleave to. This implies more than just casual interaction; it suggests forming a close bond or relationship. The use of this word underscores the depth of the division that Peter is addressing, as Jews were traditionally expected to maintain a distinct separation from Gentiles.

or visit a foreigner
The term "foreigner" is translated from the Greek word "ἀλλόφυλος" (allophylos), meaning someone of another tribe or nation. In the Jewish context, this referred to anyone who was not part of the Jewish people. The act of visiting or entering the home of a Gentile was seen as a breach of purity laws, which further emphasizes the groundbreaking nature of Peter's actions and the message he is about to deliver.

But God has shown me
This phrase marks a pivotal shift in the narrative. The Greek word for "shown" is "ἐδείξατο" (edeixato), which means to reveal or make known. Peter is referring to the vision he received from God, which challenged his previous understanding of Jewish-Gentile relations. This divine revelation is a testament to God's sovereignty and His desire to break down barriers and extend His grace to all people.

that I should not call any man
The phrase "any man" indicates the universality of the message. The Greek word "ἄνθρωπον" (anthropon) is used here, which is a general term for human beings. This signifies that the message of the Gospel is not limited by ethnicity or cultural background. It is a call to recognize the inherent value and dignity of every person as created in the image of God.

impure or unclean
The terms "impure" and "unclean" are translated from the Greek words "κοινόν" (koinon) and "ἀκάθαρτον" (akatharton), respectively. These words were often used in Jewish law to describe things that were ritually defiled or not fit for worship. By stating that no person should be considered impure or unclean, Peter is affirming the transformative power of the Gospel to transcend traditional boundaries and purify all who come to faith in Christ.

(28) Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing.--St. Peter speaks from the standpoint of traditional Pharisaism rather than from that of the Law itself; but the feeling was widely diffused, and showed itself in forms more or less rigorous wherever Jews and heathens came in contact with each other. The strict Jew would not enter a Gentile's house, nor sit on the same couch, nor eat or drink out of the same vessel. (Comp. Note on Mark 7:3-4.) The very dust of a heathen city was defiling. The Hindoo feeling of caste, shrinking from contact with those of a lower grade, driven to madness and mutiny by "greased cartridges," presents the nearest modern analogue.

God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.--The Apostle had, we find, at last learnt the lesson which the vision had taught him, in all the fulness of its meaning. Humanity as such had been redeemed by the Incarnation and Ascension, and was no longer common or unclean, even in the most outcast heathen. God was willing to receive all men. Sin alone was that which separated men from Him. Impurity was thought of as a moral, not a physical taint, and men were taught to see even in the sinner the potentialities of a higher life. He, too, had been redeemed, and might be justified and sanctified, and to him therefore honour and reverence were due as to one in whom the image of God was not utterly effaced, and might be restored to brightness. It is interesting, in this connection, to note the "Honour all men" of 1Peter 2:17. It is obvious that the pride of class, resting on mere differences of culture, and showing itself in acts and words of contempt, is, from one point of view, even less excusable than that which at least imagined that it rested on a religious basis, while from another, it is less inveterate, and therefore more easily curable.

Verse 28. - Ye yourselves for ye, A.V.; to join himself for to keep company, A.V.; and yet unto me hath God showed for but God hath showed me, A.V. Ye yourselves know. It was notorious among the Romans that the Jews kept themselves aloof from other people. Hence the accusation against them, in common with Christians, of being haters of the human race. Tacitus says of them that they hated all people, except their own countrymen, as their enemies, and refused to eat or intermarry with them ("Separati epulis discreti cubilibus;" 'Hist.,' 5:5). The word ἀλλόφυλος, one of another nation, occurs only here in the New Testament, but is common in the LXX. often as a synonym for "Philistines" (see Judges 3:3, etc.). This rather refutes Meyer's remark that "the designation (of Gentiles) here is tenderly forbearing."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
He said
ἔφη (ephē)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5346: To say, declare. Properly, the same as the base of phos and phaino; to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e. Speak or say.

to
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

them,
αὐτούς (autous)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

“You
Ὑμεῖς (Hymeis)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

know
ἐπίστασθε (epistasthe)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1987: To know, know of, understand. Apparently a middle voice of ephistemi; to put the mind upon, i.e. Comprehend, or be acquainted with.

how
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

unlawful
ἀθέμιτόν (athemiton)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 111: Illegal, unlawful, criminal, lawless. By implication, flagitious.

it is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

for a Jew
Ἰουδαίῳ (Ioudaiō)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2453: Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah.

to associate with
κολλᾶσθαι (kollasthai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive
Strong's 2853: From kolla; to glue, i.e. to stick.

a foreigner
ἀλλοφύλῳ (allophylō)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 246: Foreign, of another tribe or race. From allos and phule; foreign, i.e. Gentile.

or
(ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

visit [him].
προσέρχεσθαι (proserchesthai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive
Strong's 4334: From pros and erchomai; to approach, i.e. come near, visit, or worship, assent to.

But
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

God
Θεὸς (Theos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

has shown
ἔδειξεν (edeixen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1166: A prolonged form of an obsolete primary of the same meaning; to show.

me [that]
κἀμοὶ (kamoi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2504: To also, I too, but I. From kai and ego; so also the dative case kamoi, and accusative case kame and I, me.

I should not call
λέγειν (legein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

[any] man
ἄνθρωπον (anthrōpon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.

impure
κοινὸν (koinon)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2839: Probably from sun; common, i.e. shared by all or several, or profane.

or
(ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

unclean.
ἀκάθαρτον (akatharton)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 169: Unclean, impure. Impure (lewd) or specially, (demonic).


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NT Apostles: Acts 10:28 He said to them You yourselves know (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
Acts 10:27
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