Acts 10:9
What does Acts 10:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 10:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 10:9 means
As Cornelius's men traveled, Peter went up to the housetop to pray around noon, the sixth hour. Jewish houses often had flat roofs used for various activities, including prayer, offering a quiet, elevated space. This consistent prayer life indicates his spiritual discipline and availability to God. Peter's regular prayer habit is key, as it is during this time that God chooses to reveal a world-altering truth to him.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Now on the morrow, as they were on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour:
KJV
King James Version · 1611On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Now on the morrow, as they were on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now the day after, when they were on their journey and were near the town, Peter went up to the top of the house for prayer, about the sixth hour:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And on the morrow, as these are proceeding on the way, and are drawing nigh to the city, Peter went up upon the house-top to pray, about the sixth hour,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And on the next day, whilst they were going on their journey and drawing nigh to the city, Peter went up to the higher parts of the house to pray, about the sixth hour.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And on the morrow, as these were journeying and drawing near to the city, Peter went up on the house to pray, about the sixth hour.
Context
While Cornelius's messengers are on their journey, the narrative shifts focus to Peter, demonstrating God's simultaneous preparation. This verse establishes Peter's spiritual practice of prayer, providing the setting for the visionary experience he is about to receive. It frames the subsequent events as divine intervention during a moment of spiritual opennes, directly preceding God's challenge to Peter's traditional understanding of purity.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Zephaniah 1:5
and them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship, that swear to Jehovah and swear by Malcam;
- Jeremiah 19:13
and the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings of Judah, which are defiled, shall be as the place of Topheth, even all the houses upon whose roofs they have burned incense unto all the host of heaven, and have poured out drink-offerings unto other gods.
- Matthew 20:5
Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise.
- Acts 10:8
and having rehearsed all things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
- 1 Timothy 2:8
I desire therefore that the men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and disputing.
- 1 Samuel 9:25
And when they were come down from the high place into the city, he communed with Saul upon the housetop.
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