Acts 10:18 - and called and asked whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was lodging there.

Generated Verse: Acts 10:18

What does "Acts 10:18" mean?


This verse, Acts 10:18, is a small but significant part of the story of Cornelius, a Roman centurion, and the apostle Peter. It means that Cornelius's servants, having arrived at the house where Peter was staying, were asking if Simon, also known as Peter, was currently a guest there.

Let's break it down:

"and called and asked": This shows direct action and inquiry. The servants of Cornelius had reached their destination and were now actively seeking Peter.
"whether Simon": This is Peter's original name. He was born Simon.
"who was also called Peter": This clarifies which Simon they were looking for. "Peter" (from the Aramaic "Kephas," meaning "rock") was a name given to him by Jesus. Including both names helps avoid confusion. It also highlights the authority of Peter as an Apostle.
"was lodging there": This confirms that the purpose of their visit was to find Peter and that they believed he was currently staying at this particular house. "Lodging" simply means staying or residing.

Context and Significance:

This verse is important because it shows the specific and intentional nature of Cornelius's search. He wasn't just looking for any Simon; he was looking for Simon Peter, a specific individual known by both names.

This is crucial to the overall narrative in Acts 10, which describes a pivotal moment in early Christian history:

Cornelius was a Gentile: Jews typically didn't associate with Gentiles, let alone enter their homes.
God told Cornelius in a vision to send for Peter: This demonstrated that God had a purpose for Cornelius and wanted him to hear the Gospel.
God also gave Peter a vision: This vision challenged Peter's preconceived notions about what was considered "clean" or "unclean" according to Jewish law, preparing him to interact with the Gentile Cornelius.

Verse 10:18 is the pivotal moment where Cornelius's obedience (sending his men) and God's leading come together. The servants' arrival at the house and their specific inquiry about Simon Peter set the stage for Peter's visit to Cornelius, and ultimately, the conversion of Cornelius and his household – a landmark event in the expansion of the Gospel to the Gentiles. This event showed that salvation was not just for Jews but for all who believed in Jesus.

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