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Acts 10:7

in Acts 10

When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among his attendants.

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

And when the angel that spake unto him was departed, he called two of his household-servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;

KJV

And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;

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This verse in Acts 10

Commentary

9 notes on this verse
A devout soldier - A pious man. This is an instance of the effect of piety in a military officer. Few people have more influence; and in this case the effect was seen not only in the piety of his family, but of this attending soldier. Such men have usually been supposed to be far from the influence of religion; but this instance shows that even the disadvantages of a camp are not necessarily hostile to the existence of piety. Compare Luk 3:14.

This site's exposition

he called two of his household servants

on Acts 10:7-8

Cornelius calls two household servants and a devout soldier who waited on him continually, choosing men from his own household rather than strangers, and declares all these things to them before sending them to Joppa. A devout soldier under a devout centurion suggests Cornelius's own faith had already shaped the men under his command, a household reached before Peter's gospel ever arrives to explain what they had been shown. The obedience is immediate, the same unhesitating response that will mark Peter's own side of the story within the same chapter.

The record, by era

The Church Fathers2 voices

A commentator

Oecumenius

Commentary on Acts · Written before 550.

proposed

The apostles sought places separated from the cities, as friends of solitude and quiet. But what if another man had also happened to be named Simon? Behold, he gives a sign that he lives by the sea. He did not, however, state the reason, for …

A commentator

John Chrysostom

Homily on Acts 22 · Written in the 5th century.

proposed

"And when the Angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; and when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa." Do you see, that it is not without purpose that the writer says this? It shows that those also "who waited on him continually" were such as he. "And when he had declared the whole matter unto them": observe the unassuming character of the man: for he does not say, Call Peter to me: but, in order also to induce him to come, he declared the whole matter: this was so ordered by Providence; for he did not choose to use the authority of his rank to fetch Peter to him; therefore "he declared the matter;" such was the moderation of the man: and yet no great notion was to be formed of one lodging with a tanner.

The Medieval Church2 voices

A commentator

Bede

Commentary on Acts · Written before 735.

proposed

He called two of his domestic servants and a soldier who feared the Lord. Cornelius sent three to Peter, because the Gentiles destined to believe overcame Europe, Asia, and Africa with apostolic faith, partly by military efforts, that is, the urgency of preaching, partly by …

A commentator

Theophylact of Ohrid

Commentary on Acts · Written before 1107.

proposed

"Having called two of his servants and a devout soldier." See, it is not without reason that it is said these were people who were constantly attending him.

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed,....
2 more voices on this verse

The Nineteenth Century2 voices

A commentator

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

Who this "devout soldier" was, can only be matter of conjecture. DA COSTA [Four Witnesses] gives a number of ingenious reasons for thinking that, having attached himself henceforth to Peter--whose influence in the composition of the second Gospel is attested by the earliest tradition, and is stamped on that Gospel itself--he is no other than the Evangelist Mark.

A commentator

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible · Written before 1832.

proposed

And a devout soldier - It has already been remarked that Cornelius had taken care to instruct his family in Divine things; and it appears also that he had been attentive to the spiritual interests of his regiment. We do not find that it was then, even among the Romans, considered a disgrace for a military officer to teach his men lessons of morality, and piety towards God, whatever it may be in some Christian countries in the present time.

The words behind it

18 Greek words

Every 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.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Related verses

18 in all, six open

The number beside each verse is how many compiled reference works tie it to this one. The strongest six stand open.

Matthew 2:13When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.”12 worksMatthew 8:6“Lord, my servant lies at home, paralyzed and in terrible agony.”5 worksActs 10:2He and all his household were devout and God-fearing. He gave generously to the people and prayed to God regularly.4 worksActs 8:26Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go south to the desert road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”4 worksMatthew 8:9–10For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell one to go, and he goes; and another to come, and he comes. I tell my servant to do something, and he does it.”3 worksJudges 7:10But if you are afraid to do so, then go down to the camp with your servant Purah3 works
The other 12 cross-references, with their words ▾
Luke 3:14Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” “Do not take money by force or false accusation,” he said. “Be content with your wages.”3 worksPhilemon 1:16no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a beloved brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord.3 works1 Samuel 14:6–7Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.”3 worksActs 2:5Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.3 works1 Timothy 6:1All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as fully worthy of honor, so that God’s name and our teaching will not be discredited.3 worksActs 10:1–2At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was called the Italian Regiment.2 works1 Timothy 6:2Those who have believing masters should not show disrespect because they are brothers, but should serve them all the more, since those receiving their good service are beloved believers. Teach and encourage these principles.2 worksGenesis 24:52When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed down to the ground before the LORD.2 worksGenesis 24:1–10By now Abraham was old and well along in years, and the LORD had blessed him in every way.2 worksProverbs 27:18Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.2 worksLuke 7:2There a highly valued servant of a centurion was sick and about to die.1 worksEsther 4:16“Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day, and I and my maidens will fast as you do. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish!”-1 works

The walk

8 stops

Each 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

    Luke 3:14

    Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” “Do not take money by force or false accusation,” he said. “Be content with your wages.”

    it leads to

    • Hebrews 13:5–6

      Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”

    • Exodus 20:16

      You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

    • 1 Timothy 6:8–10

      But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.

    • Exodus 23:1

      “You shall not spread a false report. Do not join the wicked by being a malicious witness.

    • Philippians 4:11

      I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances.

  • Through

    Philemon 1:16

    no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a beloved brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord.

    it leads to

    • Colossians 3:22

      Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord.

    • Matthew 23:8

      But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers.

    • 1 Timothy 6:2

      Those who have believing masters should not show disrespect because they are brothers, but should serve them all the more, since those receiving their good service are beloved believers. Teach and encourage these principles.

Where this verse is studied

About Acts

The Ascension, Gustave Doré, 1866. Public domain.
The Ascension, Gustave Doré, 1866. Public domain.
Acts: the study guide →Read Acts 10 →

This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Bede, Commentary on Acts; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily on Acts 22; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Oecumenius, Commentary on Acts and Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Acts.

Read on in Acts 10 →