Acts 10:17

17 Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what 1the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, 2the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood at the gate

Acts 10:17 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 10:17

Now while Peter doubted in himself
For notwithstanding what he had heard and seen, he had not at once a full knowledge of this matter. Beza's most ancient copy reads, "as he was in himself, he doubted"; that is, when he came to himself, for he was before, as it were, out of himself, and was in a trance, or ecstasy; and now being come to himself, and reflecting on what he had seen and heard, he had some doubts and hesitations in his mind:

what this vision which he had seen should mean;
what the vessel or sheet should signify, what should be meant by the four-footed beasts why he should be called to arise, and kill, and eat such creatures, and what should be designed by God's cleansing them; and while he was revolving these things in his mind, and at some uncertainty about them, something providentially happened, which was a key unto, and opened the whole vision clearly to him:

behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius, had made inquiry for
Simon's house;
they were come to Joppa, and, according to the direction given them, had inquired and found out the house of Simon the tanner, where Peter was:

and stood before the gate;
of the house; perhaps knocking at it, in order to bring out somebody within to them, of whom they might inquire for Peter.

Acts 10:17 In-Context

15 And the voice came to him again a second time, "What God has made clean, do not call common."
16 This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.
17 Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood at the gate
18 and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there.
19 And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are looking for you.

Cross References 2

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.