Acts 10:29
in Acts 10So when I was invited, I came without objection. I ask, then, why have you sent for me?”
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
wherefore also I came without gainsaying, when I was sent for. I ask therefore with what intent ye sent for me.
KJV
Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?
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This verse in Acts 10
Commentary
11 notes on this verseA commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
I ask therefore, &c.--The whole speech is full of dignity, the apostle seeing in the company before him a new brotherhood, into whose devout and inquiring minds he was divinely directed to pour the light of new truth.
This site's exposition
You know how unlawful it is
on Acts 10:28-29
Peter names the barrier first, the rule against a Jew associating with a foreigner, a custom with no written commandment behind it. God has shown him not to call any man impure or unclean, the voice's words about the animals now applied to people.
This site's exposition
I came without objection
Peter already knew the reason from the messengers, yet he asks why they sent for him. Chrysostom thinks he asks so they will confess it themselves.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers2 voices
"Wherefore also" - that they may not think the affair a breach of the law on his part, nor Cornelius suppose that because he was in a station of command therefore he had complied, but that they may ascribe all to God - "wherefore also I came without gainsaying as soon as I was sent for:" though not only to keep company, but even to come unto him was not permitted. "I ask therefore, for what intent ye have sent for me." Already Peter had heard the whole matter from the soldiers also, but he wishes them first to confess, and to make them amenable to the Faith.
Peter had already heard everything from the soldiers; but he wishes first that they confess, and to make them accountable in faith. [AMMONIUS]
The Medieval Church1 voice
"So I ask: for what purpose have you summoned me?" Peter had already heard everything from the soldiers, but he desired that they confess and become upright in the faith.
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
Therefore came I unto you, without gainsaying,....
Cornelius declares the directions God gave to him to send for Peter, and that it was purely in obedience to those directions that he had sent for him. Then we are right in our aims, in sending for and attending on a gospel-ministry, when we did it with a regard to the divine appointment instituting that ordinance and requiring us to make use of it.
3 more voices on this verse
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
proposed
as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him--a mark of the highest respect. fell down at his feet, and worshipped him--In the East this way of showing respect was customary not only to kings, but to others occupying a superior station; but among the Greeks and Romans it was reserved for the gods.
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — starts-lowercase
I ask - for what intent ye have sent for me? - Peter had been informed of this by the servants of Cornelius, Act 10:22; but, as all the company might not have been informed of the circumstances, he, as it were, invites him to tell his story afresh, that his friends, etc., might be the better prepared to receive the truth, which he was about to dispense, in obedience to his Divine commission.
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
Without gainsaying - without “saying anything against it”; without hesitation or reluctance. I ask, therefore ... - The main design for which Cornelius had sent for him had been mentioned to Peter by the messenger, Act 10:22. But Peter now desired from his own lips a more particular statement of the considerations which had induced him to send for him. For what intent - For what purpose or design.
The words behind it
11 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| διὸ | dio | Therefore | G1352 → | 53 times |
| καὶ | kai | also | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| ἀναντιρρήτως | anantirretos | without objection | G369 → | |
| ἦλθον | elthon | I came | G2064 → | 628 times |
| μεταπεμφθείς. | metapemphtheis | having been summoned. | G3343 → | 9 times |
| πυνθάνομαι | punthanomai | I inquire | G4441 → | 12 times |
| οὖν, | oun | therefore, | G3767 → | 497 times |
| τίνι | tini | for what | G5101 → | 563 times |
| λόγῳ | logo | reason | G3056 → | 329 times |
| μετεπέμψασθέ | metepempsasthe | did you summon | G3343 → | 9 times |
| με;¶ | me | me? | G3165 → | 1936 times |
διὸTherefore
dioG1352 →53 times
καὶalso
kaiG2532 →9120 times
ἀναντιρρήτωςwithout objection
anantirretosG369 →
ἦλθονI came
elthonG2064 →628 times
μεταπεμφθείς.having been summoned.
metapemphtheisG3343 →9 times
πυνθάνομαιI inquire
punthanomaiG4441 →12 times
οὖν,therefore,
ounG3767 →497 times
τίνιfor what
tiniG5101 →563 times
λόγῳreason
logoG3056 →329 times
μετεπέμψασθέdid you summon
metepempsastheG3343 →9 times
με;¶me?
meG3165 →1936 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
1 Peter 3:15But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and…
it leads to
- Colossians 4:6
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
- 2 Timothy 2:25–26
He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.
- Luke 21:14–15
So make up your mind not to worry beforehand how to defend yourselves.
- 1 Peter 3:2
when they see your pure and reverent demeanor.
- Matthew 10:18–20
On My account, you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.
- Colossians 4:6
Through
Psalms 119:60I hurried without hesitating to keep Your commandments.
it leads to
- Psalms 95:7–8
For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, the sheep under His care. Today, if you hear His voice,
- Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatever you find to do with your hands, do it with all your might, for in Sheol, where you are going, there is no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.
- Galatians 1:16
to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not rush to consult with flesh and blood,
- Psalms 95:7–8
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies15
On this verse
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About Acts
This page draws on 10 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily on Acts 23; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Oecumenius, Commentary on Acts and Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Acts.