Acts 10:32
Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.
Acts 10:32 (KJV)
Context
The book of Acts, written by Luke, records the early Christian church and the spread of the Gospel. In chapter 10, God directs the devout Gentile Cornelius to send for Peter so that he may hear the message of salvation. Cornelius, a Roman centurion in Caesarea, is a God-fearing man who prays and gives alms. An angel tells him to send men to Joppa to bring Simon Peter, who is staying at the house of Simon the tanner by the sea.
Meaning
Acts 10:32 repeats the angel’s instruction to Cornelius: send to Joppa and call for Simon Peter, who is lodging with Simon the tanner by the sea. The phrase “who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee” indicates that Peter will bring a message from God. This verse is nearly identical to Acts 10:5-6, where the angel first gives the instruction, and is later recalled in Acts 11:13 when Peter recounts the event.
The mention of Simon the tanner is significant. Tanners worked with dead animals and were considered ceremonially unclean by Jewish standards, making his house an unlikely place for a devout Jew to stay. Peter’s willingness to lodge there foreshadows the lesson of the vision he receives in Acts 10:9-16, where God declares all foods clean, preparing him to accept Gentiles into the church. Joppa is a seaport, and the house by the sea is a specific location that makes Peter findable.
Biblical connections
Earlier in Acts 10, Cornelius receives an angelic vision commanding him to send men to Joppa to bring Simon Peter. He obeys, dispatching his servants and a faithful soldier. While the messengers travel, Peter is on a rooftop in Joppa praying. He sees a sheet descending from heaven containing both clean and unclean animals. A voice tells him to kill and eat; Peter objects, saying he has never eaten anything unclean. The voice replies, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” This vision is repeated three times to underscore its importance.
As Peter reflects on the vision, the Holy Spirit informs him that three men are seeking him. He is instructed to go with them without hesitation, which he does. The following day Peter and several brethren from Joppa travel to Caesarea, where Cornelius awaits.
Application
Acts 10:32 demonstrates divine orchestration bringing Peter and Cornelius together, revealing God’s intention to include the Gentiles in the Gospel. The encounter breaks down ethnic and ceremonial barriers, leading Peter to preach to Cornelius and his household, who receive the Holy Spirit. This event confirms the early church’s expanding mission to all nations.
Reflection
Overall, the passage marks a crucial turning point in Acts, showcasing God’s inclusive love and the unfolding plan to extend salvation beyond Israel to every people group.
