Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

ACTS 10:20KJV
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Acts 10:20 (KJV)

What does Acts 10:20 mean?

Acts 10:20 records God’s instruction to Peter to get up, go downstairs, and accompany the men who have come for him without hesitation or doubt, because God Himself has sent them. The verse emphasizes that Peter should not question or be uncertain about going with these men.

The setting is Peter on a rooftop in Joppa, where he has just had a vision from God. As Peter is puzzling over the vision, the Holy Spirit speaks to him directly, telling him to go with the visitors sent by Cornelius, a Roman centurion. This moment is key because it shows God guiding Peter to cross cultural and religious boundaries, trusting that God is at work in this unexpected situation.

The Greek behind Acts 10:20

  • "Doubting" (διακρινόμενος, diakrinomenos): This Greek word often means to hesitate, waver, or make distinctions. Here, it suggests Peter should not second-guess or make judgments about whether he should go with the men, even though they are Gentiles.
  • "I have sent" (ἀπέσταλκα, apestalka): This verb means to send out with a purpose. God is making it clear that these visitors are not coming by accident or human arrangement, but by God’s own direction.

Why Acts 10:20 matters

  • Acts 10:20 clarifies that Peter’s actions are to be based on God’s command, not his own preferences or cultural expectations, which is significant in the context of Jewish-Gentile relations.
  • The verse highlights the direct involvement of God in breaking down barriers between Jews and Gentiles, preparing Peter for a major shift in the early Christian movement.
  • This instruction sets up the following events, where Peter will witness the Holy Spirit working among Gentiles, confirming that the message of Jesus is for all people.

Where else these words appear

“doubting” Greek G1252 · used in 18 verses

  • Matthew 16:3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
  • Acts 15:9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
  • 1 Corinthians 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

“for” Greek G1360 · used in 21 verses

  • Luke 1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
  • Romans 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

“down” Greek G2597 · used in 80 verses

  • Matthew 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
  • Luke 19:6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
  • Acts 10:21 Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?

“nothing” Greek G3367 · used in 88 verses

  • Matthew 8:4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
  • Acts 11:19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.
  • Galatians 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.