Acts – Chapter 10

New Testament48 Verses

Chapter Summary

"And there was a certain man in Caesarea, named Cornelius, a centurion of that which is called the Italian band:" — so begins Acts 10. The chapter centers on Peter, Cornelius and Simon. Across its 48 verses, two threads run through the text: prayer and holiness. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1And there was a certain man in Caesarea, named Cornelius, a centurion of that which is called the Italian band:

2A religious man, and fearing God with all his house, giving much alms to the people and always praying to God.

3This man saw in a vision manifestly, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in unto him and saying to him: Cornelius.

4And he, beholding him. being seized with fear, said: What is it, Lord? And he said to him: Thy prayers and thy alms are ascended for a memorial in the sight of God.

5And now send men to Joppe: and call hither one Simon, who is surnamed Peter.

6He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side. He will tell thee what thou must do.

7And when the angel who spoke to him was departed, he called two of his household servants and a soldier who feared the Lord, of them that were under him.

8To whom when he had related all, he sent them to Joppe.

9And on the next day, whilst they were going on their journey and drawing nigh to the city, Peter went up to the higher parts of the house to pray, about the sixth hour.

10And being hungry, he was desirous to taste somewhat. And as they were preparing, there came upon him an ecstasy of mind.

11And he saw the heaven opened and a certain vessel descending, as it were a great linen sheet let down by the four corners from heaven to the earth:

12Wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts and creeping things of the earth and fowls of the air.

13And there came a voice to him: Arise, Peter. Kill and eat.

14But Peter said: Far be it from me. For I never did eat any thing that is common and unclean.

15And the voice spoke to him again the second time: That which God hath cleansed, do not thou call common.

16And this was done thrice. And presently the vessel was taken up into heaven.

17Now, whilst Peter was doubting within himself what the vision that he had seen should mean, behold the men who were sent from Cornelius, inquiring for Simon's house, stood at the gate.

18And when they had called, they asked if Simon, who is surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

19And as Peter was thinking of the vision, the Spirit said to him: Behold three men seek thee.

20Arise, therefore: get thee down and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

21Then Peter, going down to the men, said: Behold, I am he whom you seek. What is the cause for which you are come?

22Who said: Cornelius, a centurion, a just man and one that feareth God, and having good testimony from all the nation of the Jews, received an answer of an holy angel, to send for thee into his house And to hear words of thee.

23Then bringing them in, he lodged them. And the day following, he arose and went with them: and some of the brethren from Joppe accompanied him.

24And the morrow after, he entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, having called together his kinsmen and special friends.

25And it came to pass that when Peter was come in, Cornelius came to meet him and falling at his feet adored.

26But Peter lifted him up, saying: Arise: I myself also am a man.

27And talking with him, he went in and found many that were come together.

28And 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.

29For which cause, making no doubt, I came when I was sent for. I ask, therefore, for what cause you have sent for me?

30And Cornelius said: Four days ago, unto this hour, I was praying in my house, at the ninth hour and behold a man stood before me in white apparel and said:

31Cornelius, thy prayer is heard and thy alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

32Send therefore to Joppe: and call hither Simon, who is surnamed Peter. He lodgeth in the house of Simon a tanner, by the sea side.

33Immediately therefore I sent to thee: and thou hast done well in coming. Now, therefore, all we are present in thy sight to hear all things whatsoever are commanded thee by the Lord.

34And Peter opening his mouth, said: in very deed I perceive that God is not a respecter of persons.

35But in every nation, he that feareth him and worketh justice is acceptable to him.

36God sent the word to the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all).

37You know the word which hath been published through all Judea: for it began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached.

38Jesus of Nazareth: how God anointed him with the Holy Ghost and with power, who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

39And we are witnesses of all things that he did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem: whom they killed, hanging him upon a tree.

40Him God raised up the third day and gave him to be made manifest,

41Not to all the people, but to witnesses preordained by God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him, after he arose again from the dead.

42And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that it is he who was appointed by God to be judge of the living and of the dead.

43To him all the prophets give testimony, that by his name all receive remission of sins, who believe in him.

44While Peter was yet speaking these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them that heard the word.

45And the faithful of the circumcision, who came with Peter, were astonished for that the grace of the Holy Ghost was poured out upon the Gentiles also.

46For they heard them speaking with tongues and magnifying God.

47Then Peter answered: Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Ghost, as well as we?

48And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then they desired him to tarry with them some days.

Important Verses in Acts 10

And he, beholding him. being seized with fear, said: What is it, Lord? And he said to him: Thy prayers and thy alms are ascended for a memorial in the sight of God.

Acts 10:4

God sent the word to the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all).

Acts 10:36

And the faithful of the circumcision, who came with Peter, were astonished for that the grace of the Holy Ghost was poured out upon the Gentiles also.

Acts 10:45

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then they desired him to tarry with them some days.

Acts 10:48

Historical Context

As a New Testament book, Acts was written with the growing Church, shown its apostolic origins and missionary calling in view. Chapter 10 of 28 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 48 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on Peter, Cornelius, Simon and John, the principal figures named in this chapter. The passage starts with these words: "And there was a certain man in Caesarea, named Cornelius, a centurion of that which is called the Italian band:" The chapter ends with: "And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then they desired him to tarry with them…" In terms of historical background, Acts narrates the Church's birth and expansion 'to the ends of the earth': Pentecost, the first community in Jerusalem, the martyrdom of Stephen, the conversion of Paul, the opening to the Gentiles, and Paul's… Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Acts around About AD 80-90.

Who Wrote It

Luke, as the second volume of his work

When It Was Written

About AD 80-90

Catholic Commentary

The literal sense of Acts 10 presents a concrete episode in the history of the Church's mission empowered by the Holy Spirit. A pivotal line is verse 4: "And he, beholding him. being seized with fear, said: What is it, Lord? And he said to him: Thy prayers and thy alms are ascended for a memorial in the sight of…" The passage repeatedly touches on prayer and petition to God.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 854). Here, Acts shows the Church's apostolic foundation (CIC 857-862). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize prayer and petition to God as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that You will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Acts 10 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • God invites His people to approach Him confidently in prayer, trusting that He hears and answers.
  • 'Be holy, for I am holy': God calls His people to be set apart for Him in every area of life.
  • The Holy Spirit is the giver of life who animates creation, the prophets, and the Church.

People in This Chapter

Peter15 mentionsCornelius8 mentionsSimon6 mentionsJohn1 mention

Reflection for Today

Catholic exegesis approaches Acts Chapter 10 with reverence, seeking both the literal sense and the spiritual meaning ordered to Christ.

Catholic theology recognizes that the Church's mission empowered by the Holy Spirit is not an abstract idea but a reality encountered in prayer, sacraments, and charity. This chapter contributes to that vision by stressing the call to holiness in ordinary life.

May your reading of Acts Chapter 10 become true lectio divina: read the words, meditate on their meaning, respond in prayer, and rest in God's presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to show how You will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth applies to your life today.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Acts Chapter 10 about?

Acts 10 contains 48 verses. It opens with "And there was a certain man in Caesarea, named Cornelius, a centurion of that which is called the Italian band:" and closes with "And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then they desired him to tarry with them…". The book as a whole is historical narrative.

What is a key verse in Acts 10?

One of the most significant verses is verse 4: "And he, beholding him. being seized with fear, said: What is it, Lord? And he said to him: Thy prayers and thy alms are ascended for a memorial in the sight of God." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Acts Chapter 10?

This chapter mentions Peter, Cornelius, Simon, John.

Who wrote Acts and when?

Luke, as the second volume of his work. About AD 80-90.

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