Acts 10:5 – “Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter.”
Extended Explanation
In this verse, the angel instructs Cornelius to take action. Up to this point, Cornelius had been praying and seeking God, and now God was responding in a direct and specific way. Instead of giving Cornelius the full gospel message through the angel, God tells him to send men to Joppa to find Peter, one of Jesus’ apostles.
This is significant because it shows that God has chosen to use people to share the message of salvation rather than relying on supernatural means alone. Even though God could have told Cornelius everything he needed to know right then and there, He chose to involve Peter in the process.
The instruction is also very specific—Cornelius is to send men to Joppa, a city about 30 miles south of Caesarea, to find Peter. This tells us that God was carefully orchestrating every step. Cornelius had been seeking, and now God was bringing him into contact with the truth.
Historical Context
Joppa (modern-day Jaffa) was a significant coastal city in ancient Israel. It was a well-known seaport and had historical importance in the Old Testament. This was the same city where Jonah had tried to run from God’s call to preach to the Gentiles in Nineveh (Jonah 1:3). The parallel is striking—Jonah resisted preaching to non-Jews, but now Peter was about to be called to do the same thing.
At this time, the Jewish and Gentile worlds were still very divided. Even Jewish Christians struggled with the idea that Gentiles could be fully included in God’s plan without first converting to Judaism. Peter himself was about to face this challenge, as he would soon receive a vision from God preparing him to share the gospel with Cornelius.
By sending for Peter, Cornelius was about to be part of a major shift in church history. This moment in Acts 10 would be the beginning of the gospel spreading openly to the Gentile world.
Theological Implications
This verse highlights the way God works through His people to spread the message of salvation. The angel did not preach the gospel—he simply directed Cornelius to Peter. This reinforces a key biblical truth: God has chosen to work through believers to share the good news of Jesus.
It also teaches us that God responds to those who seek Him. Cornelius had been praying, and God answered, leading him to the full truth through Peter. This aligns with Scriptures like Jeremiah 29:13, which says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Additionally, this verse foreshadows the breaking down of barriers between Jews and Gentiles. Cornelius, a Gentile, was about to hear the gospel from Peter, a Jew. This was a fulfillment of Jesus’ words in Acts 1:8, where He told His disciples that they would be His witnesses “to the ends of the earth.”
Literary Analysis
Luke, the author of Acts, writes this verse in a direct and instructional tone. The angel’s command is clear and specific, showing that God had a precise plan in mind.
The phrase “send men to Joppa” shows that Cornelius was to act immediately—his faith had to be put into action. This mirrors many other biblical moments where people are called to obey God’s direction before fully understanding what will happen next.
The mention of “Simon who is called Peter” reminds readers of Peter’s key role in the church. His name was changed by Jesus (Matthew 16:18), and now he was about to be used in one of the most important moments in Christian history—the inclusion of the Gentiles.
Biblical Cross-References
- Matthew 16:18 – Jesus told Peter, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.” Peter was now being used to expand the church beyond Jewish believers.
- Acts 1:8 – Jesus commanded His followers to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. Cornelius’ story is part of that fulfillment.
- Jonah 1:3 – Jonah fled from Joppa instead of preaching to Gentiles. Peter, in contrast, would soon travel from Joppa to preach to a Gentile.
- Romans 10:14-15 – “How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” Cornelius needed to hear the gospel from Peter.
- Jeremiah 29:13 – God promises that those who seek Him will find Him, just as Cornelius was about to find salvation.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
Acts 10:5 reminds us that God wants to use His people to share the gospel. He could have sent an angel to preach directly to Cornelius, but instead, He arranged for Peter to do it. This means that evangelism is not just a responsibility—it is God’s chosen way of reaching the world.
This verse also teaches us that obedience is often required before full understanding. Cornelius had to trust that sending for Peter would lead to something meaningful. In the same way, God often calls us to take steps of faith even when we don’t yet see the whole picture.
It also challenges us to be available like Peter. We may not always understand why God places certain people in our lives, but we should be willing to share the truth when the opportunity comes.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is evident in how He personally arranged for Cornelius to hear the gospel. Instead of leaving him in spiritual darkness, God guided him step by step to the truth. This reflects His deep desire for all people to know Him.
This verse also shows that God’s love is not limited by cultural or ethnic boundaries. Cornelius was a Gentile, yet God was reaching out to him. This is a reminder that God’s love extends to everyone, regardless of background or nationality.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus had commanded His disciples to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19), and now that command was being fulfilled. Peter, one of Jesus’ closest followers, was about to preach the gospel to a Gentile household for the first time.
Cornelius was devout and God-fearing, but he still needed Jesus. This aligns with Jesus’ own words in John 14:6, where He says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Even though Cornelius was already seeking God, salvation would come only through faith in Christ.
This verse also reflects Jesus’ mission to break down barriers. Throughout His ministry, Jesus reached out to outsiders—the Samaritan woman (John 4), the Roman centurion (Matthew 8:5-13), and tax collectors like Zacchaeus (Luke 19). Now, through Peter, He was continuing that mission, bringing salvation to the Gentiles.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Why do you think God chose to send Cornelius to Peter instead of letting the angel preach the gospel?
- How does this verse challenge us to be obedient to God’s leading, even when we don’t have all the details?
- In what ways can we be more available to share the gospel, like Peter?
- What does this verse teach us about God’s desire to include all people in His salvation plan?
- Are there people in our lives who, like Cornelius, may be seeking God but need someone to guide them to Jesus?
Acts 10:5 is a reminder that God is always at work, drawing people to Himself and using His followers to share the message of Christ. Just as Cornelius had to take a step of faith by sending for Peter, we, too, are called to act in faith when God directs us.