Acts 10:26

26 But Peter made him rise. "Stand up," he said, "I myself am only a man."

Acts 10:26 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 10:26

But Peter took him up
As he lay at his feet, and lifted him up and set him on his legs:

saying, stand up;
and continue in this posture:

I myself also am a man;
a mortal man, a man of like passions with others, no better than others by nature: and it was by grace, and not any merit of his own, that he was a believer in Christ, and an apostle of his; and therefore he chose not to have any distinguishing homage and respect paid to him, and especially in any excessive and extravagant way; which though not designed, might carry in it a suggestion, as if he was more than a man.

Acts 10:26 In-Context

24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea, where Cornelius was waiting for him, together with relatives and close friends that he had invited.

25 As Peter was about to go in, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and bowed down before him.

26 But Peter made him rise. "Stand up," he said, "I myself am only a man."

27 Peter kept on talking to Cornelius as he went into the house, where he found many people gathered.

28 He said to them, "You yourselves know very well that a Jew is not allowed by his religion to visit or associate with Gentiles. But God has shown me that I must not consider any person ritually unclean or defiled.