Acts 10:13
And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
Acts 10:13 (KJV)
Context
Acts 10 records the conversion of Cornelius, a Gentile, and the opening of the gospel to the Gentiles. Peter, one of the twelve apostles, receives a vision from God while staying at Simon the tanner’s house in Joppa.
In Acts 10:9-16, Peter goes up on the rooftop to pray and becomes hungry. While waiting for food to be prepared, he falls into a trance and sees a vision. The vision includes a large sheet descending from heaven with all kinds of animals, reptiles, and birds. A voice tells Peter to “rise, kill, and eat.”
Meaning
As a devout Jew, Peter had grown up following the dietary laws of the Old Testament. Leviticus 11 outlines various clean and unclean animals that Jews were instructed to follow. The law prohibited Jews from eating certain animals considered unclean, such as pigs, shellfish, and birds of prey.
The command “rise, kill, and eat” was not merely about food. It was a direct imperative from God, calling Peter to action and obedience. The voice addressed Peter by name, indicating personal and direct communication. This command challenged Peter’s ingrained Jewish customs and prejudices, for the dietary laws had become a symbol of separation between Jews and Gentiles.
Peter’s vision of the sheet with unclean animals and the command to eat them was symbolic, with a deeper meaning beyond dietary restrictions. It was meant to teach Peter an important lesson about the inclusion of the Gentiles in the plan of salvation. Through the vision, God was instructing Peter to break down barriers and realize that the Gentiles were now included in God’s plan of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
Biblical connections
The voice in the vision emphasizes that Peter should not call anything impure or unclean that God has made clean. This statement was not limited to dietary restrictions but referred to the Gentiles as well. It was a lesson for Peter to understand that salvation was no longer exclusive to the Jews but was now available to people of all nations.
Initially, Peter struggled to comprehend the meaning of the vision, as it went against his deeply held beliefs. However, in Acts 10:28, after Cornelius and his household send for him, Peter realizes that the vision was about people rather than just dietary laws. He concludes that God shows no partiality and declares, “God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.”
Application
Acts 10:13 serves as a powerful reminder of God’s inclusive love and the breaking down of barriers between people. It challenges us to examine our own prejudices and preconceived notions, extending love, acceptance, and the message of salvation to all people, regardless of their background, ethnicity, or social status.
The command to “rise, kill, and eat” also calls believers to obey God’s voice, even when it challenges cultural or religious assumptions. God’s purposes are broader than human understanding, and obedience to His voice is paramount. Just as Peter had to trust God’s leading beyond his traditions, believers today are called to be open to God’s direction, even when it contradicts established norms.
Summary: Acts 10:13 is a pivotal verse in the Bible, representing the vision Peter received regarding the inclusion of the Gentiles in God’s plan of salvation. It calls us to embrace God’s inclusive love and break down barriers to share the gospel with all people.
