Acts 10:17

17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean * , behold * , the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before 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 spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed , that call not thou common .
16 This was done thrice : and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean , behold , the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,
18 And called , and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold , three men seek thee.
The King James Version is in the public domain.