Acts 10:21
What does Acts 10:21 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 10:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 10:21 means
Peter immediately descended, confirming his obedience to the Holy Spirit's command. He straightforwardly identified himself to the men, saying, "Behold, I am he whom ye seek." Then, he pragmatically asked them the purpose of their visit. This direct interaction marked the physical convergence of the two separate divine initiatives—Cornelius's sending and Peter's preparation—bringing God's plan into tangible action.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And Peter went down to the men, and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And Peter went down to the men, and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Peter went down to the men, and said, I am the man you are looking for: why have you come?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and Peter having come down unto the men who have been sent from Cornelius unto him, said, `Lo, I am he whom ye seek, what <FI>is<Fi> the cause for which ye are present?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Then Peter, going down to the men, said: Behold, I am he whom you seek. What is the cause for which you are come?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Peter going down to the men said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause for which ye come?
Context
This verse describes Peter's immediate and obedient response to the Holy Spirit's command, demonstrating his willingness to follow God's leading even when it challenged his cultural norms. His direct engagement with the messengers sets the stage for them to explain their purpose. This interaction directly precedes the messengers' detailed account of Cornelius's divine encounter, providing Peter with external confirmation of the Holy Spirit's guidance.
v.20But arise, and get thee down, and go with them, nothing doubting: for I have sent them.
v.21This passage
v.22And they said, Cornelius a centurion, a righteous man and one that feareth God, and well reported of by all the nation of the Jews, was warned of God by a holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words from thee.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 1:38
And Jesus turned, and beheld them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? And they said unto him, Rabbi (which is to say, being interpreted, Teacher), where abidest thou?
- Acts 10:29
wherefore also I came without gainsaying, when I was sent for. I ask therefore with what intent ye sent for me.
- Mark 10:51
And Jesus answered him, and said, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? And the blind man said unto him, Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.
- John 18:4
Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon him, went forth, and saith unto them, Whom seek ye?
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