Acts 11:3 - saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men, and ate with them!”
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What does "Acts 11:3" mean?
Acts 11:3 describes the reaction of some Jewish Christians in Jerusalem to Peter's visit to and meal with Cornelius, a Gentile Roman centurion, and his household. Let's break down what's going on:
"You went in to uncircumcised men..." This is the core of the complaint. Circumcision was a central sign of the covenant between God and the Jewish people. Jewish law traditionally forbade close association with uncircumcised Gentiles, considering them ritually unclean. Entering their homes would violate those customs.
"...and ate with them!" Sharing a meal was an act of fellowship and acceptance in that culture. Eating with Gentiles was seen as even more problematic, as it raised concerns about dietary laws (keeping kosher) and potential ritual impurity. This action demonstrated a level of acceptance that was considered unacceptable by these Jewish Christians.
The underlying issue:
The verse highlights the tension between Jewish tradition and the expanding Christian message. These Jewish Christians believed that salvation was primarily (if not exclusively) for Jews, and that Gentiles needed to become Jews (including circumcision) to be saved. Peter's actions challenged this deeply held belief.
In essence, the verse is a criticism of Peter for violating Jewish social and religious customs by associating with and accepting Gentiles, specifically by entering their homes and sharing a meal. They saw this as a compromise of their faith and traditions. The rest of Acts chapter 11 then details Peter's explanation of how God led him to this radical action through a vision and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles, just as it had happened to the Jewish believers at Pentecost.
Acts 11:3 - saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men, and ate with them!”
What does "Acts 11:3" mean?
Acts 11:3 describes the reaction of some Jewish Christians in Jerusalem to Peter's visit to and meal with Cornelius, a Gentile Roman centurion, and his household. Let's break down what's going on:
"You went in to uncircumcised men..." This is the core of the complaint. Circumcision was a central sign of the covenant between God and the Jewish people. Jewish law traditionally forbade close association with uncircumcised Gentiles, considering them ritually unclean. Entering their homes would violate those customs.
"...and ate with them!" Sharing a meal was an act of fellowship and acceptance in that culture. Eating with Gentiles was seen as even more problematic, as it raised concerns about dietary laws (keeping kosher) and potential ritual impurity. This action demonstrated a level of acceptance that was considered unacceptable by these Jewish Christians.
The underlying issue:
The verse highlights the tension between Jewish tradition and the expanding Christian message. These Jewish Christians believed that salvation was primarily (if not exclusively) for Jews, and that Gentiles needed to become Jews (including circumcision) to be saved. Peter's actions challenged this deeply held belief.
In essence, the verse is a criticism of Peter for violating Jewish social and religious customs by associating with and accepting Gentiles, specifically by entering their homes and sharing a meal. They saw this as a compromise of their faith and traditions. The rest of Acts chapter 11 then details Peter's explanation of how God led him to this radical action through a vision and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles, just as it had happened to the Jewish believers at Pentecost.