Question 1

What does Acts 10:5 mean?

Accepted Answer

Acts 10:5 is a command given to send men to the city of Joppa to find a man named Simon, who is also called Peter. The verse is part of instructions being given to someone to seek out Peter specifically by name and location. In the story, an angel is speaking to Cornelius, a Roman centurion, telling him to send messengers to Joppa to find Simon Peter. This sets up an important meeting between Cornelius and Peter, which will have a major impact on the early Christian movement by opening the way for non-Jews (Gentiles) to hear the message about Jesus.

Question 2

The Greek behind Acts 10:5

Accepted Answer

Ἰόππη (Ioppē, "Joppa"): The city mentioned is a real port town on the Mediterranean coast, known today as Jaffa. Naming this specific place shows the concrete, historical setting of the story. Πέτρος (Petros, "Peter"): The Greek name means "rock" or "stone." Using both "Simon" and "Peter" makes it clear exactly which person is being sought, since "Simon" was a common name.

Question 3

Why Acts 10:5 matters

Accepted Answer

Acts 10:5 shows that God is giving very specific instructions, highlighting the importance of this meeting between Cornelius and Peter. The verse connects two people from very different backgrounds—Cornelius, a Gentile centurion, and Peter, a Jewish follower of Jesus—setting the stage for a major shift in the early church. By naming both the city and the full name of Peter, the verse underlines the intentional and purposeful nature of what is about to happen in the narrative.

Acts 10:5 (KJV)