Acts 10:13 - A voice came to him, “Rise, Peter, kill and eat!”
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Acts 10:13" mean?
The verse "A voice came to him, “Rise, Peter, kill and eat!”" from Acts 10:13 is a pivotal part of the story of Peter's vision in the book of Acts, and it carries significant symbolic and theological weight. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
Context: The verse is part of a larger vision that Peter receives. While he's praying, a large sheet descends from heaven, filled with all kinds of animals, reptiles, and birds, including those considered unclean according to Jewish dietary laws.
Literal Meaning: On the surface, the voice commands Peter to get up, slaughter these animals, and eat them. For Peter, a devout Jew, this would have been shocking and repulsive. Jewish law prohibited the consumption of "unclean" animals.
Symbolic Meaning: The vision is not meant to be taken literally as an endorsement of eating unclean animals. Instead, it's a symbolic representation of God's plan to include Gentiles (non-Jews) in the Christian faith.
The Animals: The variety of animals, both clean and unclean, represents the diversity of people in the world, including Gentiles who were considered "unclean" or outside of God's covenant by many Jews at the time.
"Kill and Eat": This command symbolizes the breaking down of the barriers and prejudices that separated Jews and Gentiles. God is declaring that the Gentiles are now acceptable to Him and can be brought into fellowship through the Gospel. It signifies the end of the old covenant restrictions and the beginning of a new era of inclusivity.
Peter's Resistance: Peter initially resists the command, saying he has never eaten anything unclean. This highlights the deeply ingrained cultural and religious biases he, and many Jewish Christians, held against Gentiles.
Theological Significance:
Universal Salvation: The vision demonstrates God's desire for all people to be saved, regardless of their background or ethnicity.
Breaking Down Barriers: It signifies the breaking down of the "wall of partition" between Jews and Gentiles (Ephesians 2:14), allowing them to be united in Christ.
New Covenant: The vision is a declaration of the new covenant established through Jesus Christ, which transcends the dietary and ceremonial laws of the Old Testament.
God's Cleansing Power: It underscores God's power to cleanse and sanctify anything He chooses, including those who were previously considered "unclean."
Connection to Cornelius: Immediately after the vision, Peter is visited by messengers from Cornelius, a Roman centurion. This connection is crucial. Cornelius was a God-fearing Gentile who had received a vision instructing him to send for Peter. Peter realizes that the vision about the animals was preparing him to accept Cornelius and his household into the Christian community.
In summary, "Rise, Peter, kill and eat!" is a powerful command that challenges Peter's preconceived notions about what is clean and unclean. It's a symbolic representation of God's plan to extend salvation to the Gentiles and break down the barriers that separated them from Jewish believers, ushering in a new era of inclusivity in the Christian faith.
Acts 10:13 - A voice came to him, “Rise, Peter, kill and eat!”
What does "Acts 10:13" mean?
The verse "A voice came to him, “Rise, Peter, kill and eat!”" from Acts 10:13 is a pivotal part of the story of Peter's vision in the book of Acts, and it carries significant symbolic and theological weight. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
Context: The verse is part of a larger vision that Peter receives. While he's praying, a large sheet descends from heaven, filled with all kinds of animals, reptiles, and birds, including those considered unclean according to Jewish dietary laws.
Literal Meaning: On the surface, the voice commands Peter to get up, slaughter these animals, and eat them. For Peter, a devout Jew, this would have been shocking and repulsive. Jewish law prohibited the consumption of "unclean" animals.
Symbolic Meaning: The vision is not meant to be taken literally as an endorsement of eating unclean animals. Instead, it's a symbolic representation of God's plan to include Gentiles (non-Jews) in the Christian faith.
The Animals: The variety of animals, both clean and unclean, represents the diversity of people in the world, including Gentiles who were considered "unclean" or outside of God's covenant by many Jews at the time.
"Kill and Eat": This command symbolizes the breaking down of the barriers and prejudices that separated Jews and Gentiles. God is declaring that the Gentiles are now acceptable to Him and can be brought into fellowship through the Gospel. It signifies the end of the old covenant restrictions and the beginning of a new era of inclusivity.
Peter's Resistance: Peter initially resists the command, saying he has never eaten anything unclean. This highlights the deeply ingrained cultural and religious biases he, and many Jewish Christians, held against Gentiles.
Theological Significance:
Universal Salvation: The vision demonstrates God's desire for all people to be saved, regardless of their background or ethnicity.
Breaking Down Barriers: It signifies the breaking down of the "wall of partition" between Jews and Gentiles (Ephesians 2:14), allowing them to be united in Christ.
New Covenant: The vision is a declaration of the new covenant established through Jesus Christ, which transcends the dietary and ceremonial laws of the Old Testament.
God's Cleansing Power: It underscores God's power to cleanse and sanctify anything He chooses, including those who were previously considered "unclean."
Connection to Cornelius: Immediately after the vision, Peter is visited by messengers from Cornelius, a Roman centurion. This connection is crucial. Cornelius was a God-fearing Gentile who had received a vision instructing him to send for Peter. Peter realizes that the vision about the animals was preparing him to accept Cornelius and his household into the Christian community.
In summary, "Rise, Peter, kill and eat!" is a powerful command that challenges Peter's preconceived notions about what is clean and unclean. It's a symbolic representation of God's plan to extend salvation to the Gentiles and break down the barriers that separated them from Jewish believers, ushering in a new era of inclusivity in the Christian faith.