Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

ACTS 11:6KJV
Know the Bible

Acts 11:6 (KJV)

What does Acts 11:6 mean?

Acts 11:6 describes what Peter noticed when he looked closely at a vision: a variety of animals together in one place. Peter is explaining this unusual sight as part of his account to believers in Jerusalem, who had questioned him about visiting people who were not Jewish.

The animals were in a large sheet-like object that Peter had seen coming down from heaven. “Fastened mine eyes” pictures Peter looking intently at what was inside. His careful look matters because he is about to describe what he heard in response to the sight.

The Greek behind Acts 11:6

  • “fastened mine eyes” — ἀτενίζω (atenizō): The word carries the sense of looking intently or fixing one’s gaze. Peter’s look was focused, rather than a passing glance.
  • “considered” — κατανοέω (katanoeō): The word can mean to observe carefully or pay close attention. Here, Peter describes taking in what he saw.

Why Acts 11:6 matters

  • The range of animals prepares the reader for Peter’s objection in verse 8. The sight leads to an instruction to kill and eat, but Peter says he has never eaten anything “common or unclean,” referring to food forbidden by Jewish law.
  • The vision becomes part of Peter’s explanation for meeting people who were not Jewish. In verses 9–12, the voice speaks about what God has cleansed, and Peter connects the vision with his journey to meet those people.

Where else these words appear

“beasts” Greek G5074 · used in 3 verses

  • Acts 10:12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
  • Romans 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

“things” Greek G2062 · used in 4 verses

  • Acts 10:12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
  • Romans 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
  • James 3:7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

“eyes” Greek G816 · used in 14 verses

  • Luke 4:20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
  • Acts 3:12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?
  • Acts 13:9 Then Saul,(who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,

“considered” Greek G2657 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
  • Luke 20:23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?
  • Romans 4:19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: