Acts 10:3
What does Acts 10:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 10:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 10:3 means
Cornelius experienced a clear, undeniable vision around three in the afternoon, the traditional Jewish hour of prayer. An angel of God appeared to him, calling him by name. The vividness and timing of this encounter underscore its divine origin and intentionality. God was not merely observing Cornelius but actively intervening in his life, preparing to reveal Himself in a new way and through new means, specifically through Peter.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000He saw in a vision openly, as it were about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in unto him, and saying to him, Cornelius.
KJV
King James Version · 1611He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901He saw in a vision openly, as it were about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in unto him, and saying to him, Cornelius.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949He saw in a vision, clearly, at about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of the Lord coming to him and saying to him, Cornelius!
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862he saw in a vision manifestly, as it were the ninth hour of the day, a messenger of God coming in unto him, and saying to him, `Cornelius;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752This man saw in a vision manifestly, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in unto him and saying to him: Cornelius.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890— saw plainly in a vision, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel ofGod coming unto him, and saying to him, Cornelius.
Context
Having established Cornelius's character, this verse describes the divine encounter that sets the chapter's events in motion. The vision of the angel is a direct, supernatural intervention. This pivotal moment immediately precedes the angel's instructions to Cornelius, which will lead him to send for Peter, thus demonstrating God's sovereign hand in bringing the gospel to the Gentiles.
v.2a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always.
v.3This passage
v.4And he, fastening his eyes upon him, and being affrighted, said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are gone up for a memorial before God.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 5:19
But an angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them out, and said,
- Luke 23:44
And it was now about the sixth hour, and a darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour,
- Acts 12:7
And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shined in the cell: and he smote Peter on the side, and awoke him, saying, Rise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
- Luke 1:11
And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
- Acts 11:13
and he told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, Send to Joppa, and fetch Simon, whose surname is Peter;
- Hebrews 1:14
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation?
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