Acts 11:13

Verse

He told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter.

American Standard Version (1901)

and he told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, Send to Joppa, and fetch Simon, whose surname is Peter;

Bible in Basic English

And he gave us an account of how he had seen the angel in his house, saying, Send to Joppa, and get Simon, named Peter, to come to you;

Douay-Rheims 1899

And he told us how he had seen an angel in his house, standing, and saying to him: Send to Joppe, and call hither Simon, who is surnamed Peter,

Free Bible Version

He explained to us how an angel had appeared to him in his house, who told him, ‘Send someone to Joppa, and fetch Simon, also called Peter,

Geneva Bible 1599

And he shewed vs, howe he had seene an Angel in his house, which stoode and said to him, Send men to Ioppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter.

King James (Authorized) Version

And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;

Plain English Version

That man told us that he saw an angel in his house, a few days ago. The angel said to him, ‘Peter has a message for you, so send somebody to Joppa to get him. He will tell you how God can save you, and your family, and everyone else in your house too.’

Translation for Translators

He told us that he had seen an angel standing in his house. The angel told him, ‘Tell some men to go to Joppa and bring back Simon whose other name is Peter.

Unlocked Literal Bible

He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, “Send men to Joppa and bring back Simon who is called Peter.

Noah Webster Bible

And he showed us how he had seen an angel in his house, who stood and said to him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;

World English Bible

He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying to him, ‘Send to Joppa and get Simon, who is called Peter,

Young's Literal Translation

he declared also to us how he saw the messenger in his house standing, and saying to him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, who is surnamed Peter,

Context

Peter’s Report at Jerusalem

¹²The Spirit told me to accompany them without hesitation. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s home.¹³He told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter.¹⁴He will convey to you a message by which you and all your household will be saved.’

Summary

In Acts 11:13, we see Peter recounting his vision from God regarding the acceptance of the Gentiles into the Christian community. This pivotal moment marked a significant shift in the early church's understanding of God's inclusive love and salvation for all people, regardless of their background. Peter's vision and subsequent actions demonstrate the importance of embracing diversity and breaking down barriers that may hinder the spread of the Gospel. This verse serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and His desire for unity among believers, setting a powerful example for Christians to welcome and love others unconditionally.

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

seen an angel--literally, "the angel," for the rumor took that definite shape.

John Gill Bible Commentary

And he showed us how he had seen an angel in his house,.... The clause, "in his house", is very appropriately put; for since an angel had entered into his house, it could not be criminal in Peter, and the six brethren, to follow him. In one place he is called a man, and in another place an angel; see Act 10:3, because, though he was an angel, yet he appeared in the form of a man, as it was usual for angels to do; but whether Cornelius knew that he was an angel, is not certain, since he calls him a man; and not he, but Luke the historian, and Peter, who repeats the account of the vision, call him an angel; however, he looked upon him as an extraordinary person, as sent to him from God, and therefore obeyed the heavenly vision. The Ethiopic version reads, "an angel of God; which stood and said unto him, send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter"; See Gill on Act 10:5. . Acts 11:14 act 11:14 act 11:14 act 11:14Who shall tell thee words,.... Preach doctrines, such as relate to the person and office of Christ, to peace and pardon, and righteousness and salvation by him; such as Peter did preach, as appears by his discourse in the preceding chapter: whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved; that is, which would be a means of instructing him and his family in the right and true way of salvation; for the Gospel only points out the way of salvation, and is only effectual to it, when it is accompanied with, the power of God: multitudes hear it, and yet are not saved by and those to whom it comes not in word only, but in power, are saved only by Christ, who is revealed in it, as God's way of salvation; it is not bare hearing the word and attending on ordinances that will save any, only such who believe in Christ with the heart, who is the sum and substance of the Gospel, are saved; and still less are any saved by the faith of others; the house or family of Cornelius were not saved by his believing in Christ; but the words of faith and sound doctrine being preached to them, as to him, and faith coming thereby to one as to another, they were saved in one and the same way, namely, through faith in Christ Jesus.