Acts 10:24Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

"Now Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his relatives and close friends." This was fitting. It would have been unjust not to gather his kinsmen and friends.

Moreover, by being present there, they could listen more fully to Peter.

Cornelius was a notable man and lived in a notable city. Therefore all this happens with him, and the work of the conversion of the Gentiles begins from Judea.

The vision came to him not when he was asleep, but when he was awake, during the day, about the ninth hour. So watchfully did he conduct himself.

This was fitting. It would have been unjust not to gather his kinsmen and friends.

Moreover, by being present there, they could listen more fully to Peter.

He was a notable man and had his dwelling in a notable city. "Having called together his relatives." This is the mark of a wholly pious friend: surrounded by so many blessings, he makes everyone sharers and dear friends. They are called dear friends because he could rely on them when labors and cares over so many subordinates lay before him. It seems to me that both friends and relatives were nourished by his food. See how confident he was that Peter would certainly come. This was because the angel had appeared to him not in sleep, but while he was awake and in the daytime.

While waiting for Peter, Cornelius gathered in his house his relatives and close friends, undoubtedly like him in piety and faith. He wished them also to hear the word of salvation.

When Peter approached his house, on the day after he had left Joppa, Cornelius met him while still outside the house.

With reverence he bowed down at his feet as before a heavenly messenger.

But Peter raised him up, saying: arise, I too am a man.

After entering Cornelius's house, Peter first explained to him and to the others present why he had permitted himself to come to them.

As was known to them, according to the law of his people, as it was then understood and interpreted, he ought not to enter into communion with Gentiles.

Yet he was now ready to meet the need for which they had called him.

Having learned of the Apostle's approach, Cornelius went out to meet him and fell at his feet.

Peter immediately raised the pious soldier. Undoubtedly to the amazement of the brethren accompanying him, and perhaps even to his own amazement, he broke all the traditions of his life and the national customs of many centuries.

He entered into free conversation with a Gentile in the presence of the centurion's assembled relatives.

He did this not from forgetfulness caused by some special exaltation, but with full consciousness.

He knew that, in doing what until then had been considered impious, he was acting in accordance with divine revelation.

On the next day: the travelers arrived in Caesarea only on the day after leaving Joppa. That is, they arrived on the fourth day after Cornelius had the vision, verse 30.

To call together his relatives and close friends: no doubt these had the same moral dispositions and aspirations as Cornelius himself. They had also been informed by him beforehand about the whole matter.

Thus, by the time Peter arrived at Cornelius's house, a whole and rather considerable gathering of people had formed there, verse 27.

They were ready to believe in Christ through Peter's word. This was the first gathering of pure Gentiles ready to join Christianity, and who did join it, without any mediation of Jewish cultic institutions.

The meeting of the Apostle Peter by Cornelius was very moving and solemn. While waiting for Peter, Cornelius called together his relatives and friends.

When Peter was approaching Cornelius's house, Cornelius went out to meet the Apostle, bowed to him, and fell at his feet.

This was the rendering of the greatest honor, such as was given to God. Therefore Peter hastened to raise him up.

Supposing that Cornelius had an exaggerated idea of him, cf. 14:11, he said to him: arise, I too am a man.

Later, deep bows before the dignitaries of the Church entered into custom. Yet the Apostle's example shows with what humility these bows should be received, but not demanded.

They are directed not to the persons of the dignitaries, but to Him whose representatives they serve.