Acts 11:6

Verse

I looked at it closely and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds of the air.

American Standard Version (1901)

upon which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw the fourfooted beasts of the earth and wild beasts and creeping things and birds of the heaven.

Bible in Basic English

And looking on it with attention I saw in it all sorts of beasts and birds.

Douay-Rheims 1899

Into which looking, I considered, and saw fourfooted creatures of the earth, and beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air:

Free Bible Version

When I looked inside I saw animals, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds.

Geneva Bible 1599

Towarde the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and sawe foure footed beastes of the earth, and wilde beastes, and creeping things, and foules of the heauen.

King James (Authorized) Version

Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

Plain English Version

I looked inside it, and I saw all sorts of animals, and lizards, and snakes, and birds.

Translation for Translators

As I was looking intently into it, I saw some tame animals but also animals that our laws forbid us to eat, including wild animals, snakes, and wild birds.

Unlocked Literal Bible

I gazed at it and I thought about it. I saw the four-legged animals of earth, wild beasts, creeping animals, and birds of the sky.

Noah Webster Bible

Upon which when I had fastened my eyes, I considered, and saw four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping animals, and fowls of the air.

World English Bible

When I had looked intently at it, I considered, and saw the four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, creeping things, and birds of the sky.

Young's Literal Translation

at which having looked stedfastly, I was considering, and I saw the four-footed beasts of the earth, and the wild beasts, and the creeping things, and the fowls of heaven;

Context

Peter’s Report at Jerusalem

⁵“I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision of something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came right down to me.⁶I looked at it closely and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds of the air.⁷Then I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Get up, Peter, kill and eat.’

Summary

In Acts 11:6, Peter recounts his vision of a sheet filled with various animals being lowered from heaven, symbolizing God's acceptance of all people, regardless of their background or ethnicity. This vision challenges Peter's previous beliefs about clean and unclean foods, teaching him that God shows no partiality and welcomes all who seek Him. The verse highlights the inclusivity of the Gospel message, emphasizing the need for unity and fellowship among believers from different cultures and traditions. It serves as a reminder that God's grace extends to all, breaking down barriers and inviting everyone to partake in the blessings of salvation. Acts 11:6 encourages Christians to embrace diversity and demonstrate love and acceptance towards others, reflecting the all-encompassing nature of God's redemptive plan.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes,.... Not of his body, but of his mind; for this was only in vision presented to him, when he was as Paul was, not knowing whether in the body or out of it: I considered: being intent upon this object, he considered in his mind what it was, and what it should mean; it being something strange and unusual; which came down from heaven, and out of it, and came so close and near to him, that it engrossed all his thoughts, and was the subject of deep meditation: and saw four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air; not pourtrayed upon the sheet, but standing or walking upon it; the Syriac Version leaves out, "the wild beasts"; and the Ethiopic versions, "the creeping things"; but both are in the Greek copies, and in other versions.