Acts 10:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Why does he see an angel? It is to assure Peter, or rather, not him, but the others who were weaker. "About the ninth hour of the day," when he was free from cares, not occupied with business, and meanwhile given over to prayer and compunction.

"He saw clearly in a vision, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming to him." He sees the angel for the strengthening of Peter's faith. Or rather, not for Peter, but for others who were weaker in faith. It was at the ninth hour, when he had left his cares and was in quiet and stillness. Since the true Eye and great Judge knows that even great works are dead without faith, He sends an angel. The angel confirms the value of their works, so that those who contend well may be crowned by faith.

Rightly does he receive, at the ninth hour, the prediction of the baptism that awaited him. For he was to be baptized in the death, Rom 6:10, of Him who at the ninth hour gave up the spirit, Mt 27:46-50; Mk 15:34-37; Lk 23:44-46.

The piety and religious devotion of Cornelius drew the mercy of God upon him. Once, when he was praying about the ninth hour, or about three o'clock in the afternoon by our reckoning, an angel of God entered his house in the form of a man in bright clothing (Acts 10:30).

The angel announced God's favor toward him for his fervent prayers and acts of charity. He commanded him to summon Simon Peter from Joppa to his house. He promised that from this man he would hear words by which he and all his household would be saved.

Chapter 10 recounts the conversion of the centurion Cornelius to Christ. It says that even before his conversion he "feared God with all his household," "gave many alms," and "prayed to God always" (v. 2).

It says that "God had cleansed" him (v. 15; cf. v. 28). It also says that, as one who acted righteously, he was "acceptable" to God (v. 35). Yet in order to be saved, Cornelius had to hear the words, or preaching, of the apostle Peter (v. 6).

Here is instruction for those who rely self-confidently on the works of their supposed piety and on their righteous life. They neglect illumination by the light of true doctrine and their enrollment in the chosen flock, the Church of God.

If Cornelius was acceptable to God, and if he was cleansed, this means only that God had forechosen and prepared him to enter the Church and receive the Gospel. Without this, salvation is impossible.

"He clearly saw in a vision," and so forth. This plainly took place in a waking state, not in sleep, as Chrysostom says. Therefore it occurred in a state of special spiritual contemplation, produced by the power of God.

In such a state a man becomes capable of receiving manifestations from the realm of the spiritual world. In this state Cornelius clearly saw that an angel of the Lord entered his upper room.

This was about the ninth hour, or about three o'clock in the afternoon by our reckoning. It was the customary hour of prayer among the Jews; see the note on Acts 3:1. Cornelius also was praying then, having fasted until that hour (v. 30).

The appearance of the angel of God to Cornelius in a vision was unusual. It seems to have appeared extraordinary even to the writer of Acts. Therefore he testifies that the vision was clear.

It was accompanied by the movements of the angel who appeared, entered to him, and spoke to Cornelius. The time of the appearance is also specified. It was the hour when prayer was usually offered among the Jews, about three o'clock in the afternoon.

Cornelius evidently was offering prayer too. For this reason he was counted worthy of this wondrous appearance precisely at that time. The angel's words also show this.

On prevenient grace, at verse 3: the angel said to Cornelius the centurion, who was also a Gentile by birth, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God” (Acts 10:4).

If the alms of Cornelius came up for a memorial before God, that is, were received into God's good pleasure, then they must have been pure, because nothing impure can draw near to God.

But is there any pure love of man outside the bounds of pure faith? No.

From the angel's words it is clear that the prayers of Cornelius ascended to God ahead of his alms. Prayers ascend to God only when led by faith.

A sincere desire to do the will of God became in his soul the lodging place of the prevenient grace of God. This grace hastened to sow in him the seed of faith.