Send therefore to Joppe: and call hither Simon, who is surnamed Peter. He lodgeth in the house of Simon a tanner, by the sea side.
πεμψον ουν εις ιοππην και μετακαλεσαι σιμωνα ος επικαλειται πετρος ουτος ξενιζεται εν οικια σιμωνος βυρσεως παρα θαλασσαν ος παραγενομενος λαλησει σοι
4 Church Fathers comment on this verse
But let us return to what was said above concerning Cornelius. "Send," the writer says, "men to Joppa and call for Simon, who is called Peter." He believed that Peter would certainly come, and therefore he sent. "He will come and speak to you." About what? I think, in conversation, about what was said above.
While awaiting Peter, Cornelius gathered in his house his relatives and close friends, who were of course 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 leaving Joppa, Cornelius met him outside the house. With reverence he bowed down at his feet, as before a heavenly messenger.
But Peter raised him up, saying, “Stand up. I myself am also a man.”
Entering the house of Cornelius, Peter first explained to him and the others present why he had allowed himself to come to them.
As they also knew, according to the law of his people, as it was then understood and interpreted, he should not have entered into communion with Gentiles.
Yet he was now ready to satisfy the need for which they had called him. For this, he said, there had been a special revelation of God, commanding him not to regard any man as common.
After this he asked them about the very need for which he had been called there.
In answer, Cornelius related the story of the revelation he had received from the angel. He concluded by expressing humble readiness to hear with faith what Peter, by God’s command, was to proclaim to him and his household.
In answer to Peter’s question, Cornelius simply recounts the vision he had received. He presents it as the reason why he invited Peter. Speaking for all who had gathered, he declares their readiness to hear the Apostle’s preaching.
“Four days ago,” that is, the present day was the fourth after the day on which the angel appeared to Cornelius. This is clear from the preceding narrative.
“I was fasting and praying.” These details complete what was said above about the piety of Cornelius (vv. 3, 22).
“A man in bright clothing.” See the note on Mk 16:5.
Continuing his account, Cornelius seems to hasten to the matter itself. Therefore he introduces no further details. Having spoken briefly about sending for Peter, he approves his coming as something that will bring good fruit.
He also sees in it good pledges of the best relations toward the Gentiles.
The end of Cornelius’s speech is remarkable: “Now we are all present before God.” With these words Cornelius expressed faith in a special divine providence concerning himself and those around him.
In his conviction, everything he had described had taken place for this very purpose.
At the same time, by these words he expressed that the present moment was most sacred. In it, undoubtedly, God also was present.
Above all, he expressed that he and those around him were ready to hear Peter as God’s messenger. Peter would declare to them God’s will concerning them.
Cornelius was convinced that Peter too had received a revelation about them, beyond merely not considering them common.
“Seeing such zeal for faith in a Gentile, and hearing such pious words from him, Peter could repeat in his soul the Lord’s words about another centurion: ‘Not even in Israel have I found such faith’ (Mt 8:10).
“Indeed, what a great word in the mouth and heart of a Gentile: ‘We are all present before God.’ So spoke the prophets (cf. 3 Kingdoms 17:1).
“If all those then gathered with Cornelius were truly of one spirit with him, there can be no doubt of it. For the Holy Spirit comes down upon them all so soon, according to verse 44.
“Then one must suppose that, in this gathering of Gentiles, divine worship had already begun. All in this new temple of God then had their hearts lifted up on high.
“The disposition of souls was excellent for hearing the word of God and for receiving the divine Scriptures.”
Greek text, 18 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS