Acts 11:6
What does Acts 11:6 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 11:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 11:6 means
Upon closer examination of the descending sheet in his vision, Peter saw a variety of animals: four-footed beasts, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds. This comprehensive list represents all categories of land and air creatures, many of which were considered unclean according to Jewish dietary laws (Leviticus 11). The vision deliberately presented Peter with a direct challenge to his cultural and religious understanding of purity, setting the stage for God's radical redefinition of what is clean or unclean.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000upon which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw the fourfooted beasts of the earth and wild beasts and creeping things and birds of the heaven.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901upon which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw the fourfooted beasts of the earth and wild beasts and creeping things and birds of the heaven.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And looking on it with attention I saw in it all sorts of beasts and birds.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862at which having looked stedfastly, I was considering, and I saw the four-footed beasts of the earth, and the wild beasts, and the creeping things, and the fowls of heaven;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Into which looking, I considered and saw fourfooted creatures of the earth and beasts and creeping things and fowls of the air.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890on which having fixed mine eyes, I considered, and saw the quadrupeds of the earth, and the wild beasts, and the creeping things, and the fowls of the heaven.
Context
This verse continues Peter's recounting of his vision in Joppa, specifically detailing the contents of the sheet. Its description of various creatures, including those considered unclean, provides the visual context for the divine command Peter is about to receive. This detail is essential for understanding the theological challenge the vision presented to Peter's Jewish background, leading directly into God's instruction to kill and eat.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
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