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ACT 10:44-48

The Gentiles Receive the Holy Spirit

44While Peter was still speaking these declarations, the Holy Spirit fell on all who were hearing the word.

45And the believers from among the circumcision who had come with Peter were utterly astonished, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.

46For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and magnifying God. Then Peter declared,

47"Can anyone withhold the water to prevent these from being baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?"

48And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

In the world it was spoken into

In the 1st century, the Jewish community maintained strict boundaries around religious identity, marked by practices like circumcision and adherence to Torah. For Jewish believers in Jesus, the idea that Gentiles could receive the Holy Spirit without first converting to Judaism was deeply unsettling. The outpouring of the Spirit on Cornelius’s household, accompanied by speaking in tongues and magnifying God, mirrored the Pentecost experience of Jewish believers, signaling divine approval. Peter’s companions, described as 'those from the circumcision,' were astonished because this event challenged their assumptions about God’s covenant being exclusive to Israel. Baptism, a ritual of initiation into the Jesus movement, was now extended to Gentiles without requiring circumcision, a radical departure from Jewish norms. Peter’s rhetorical question—'Can anyone withhold water?'—reflects the urgency of recognizing God’s inclusion of Gentiles. This moment marked a pivotal shift in understanding the scope of God’s salvation, breaking down ethnic and religious barriers.

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How other translations render this

ACT 10:44

KJV
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
BSB
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard his message.
Koinōnos
While Peter was still speaking these declarations, the Holy Spirit fell on all who were hearing the word.

ACT 10:45

KJV
And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
BSB
All the circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.
Koinōnos
And the believers from among the circumcision who had come with Peter were utterly astonished, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.

ACT 10:46

KJV
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
BSB
For they heard them speaking in tongues and exalting God. Then Peter said,
Koinōnos
For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and magnifying God. Then Peter declared,

ACT 10:47

KJV
Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
BSB
“Can anyone withhold the water to baptize these people? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have!”
Koinōnos
Can anyone withhold the water to prevent these from being baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?

ACT 10:48

KJV
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
BSB
So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for a few days.
Koinōnos
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

ACT 10:44

  • declarations:The word translated 'declarations' refers to spoken words or utterances, often carrying the sense of a divine pronouncement or a significant statement.

ACT 10:45

  • were amazed:The term translated 'were amazed' implies being utterly astonished or beside oneself, as if driven out of one's senses by the unexpected event.
  • [the] circumcision:The phrase 'the circumcision' refers to Jewish believers, specifically those who adhered to the practice of circumcision as a sign of their covenant with God.

ACT 10:46

  • magnifying:The word translated 'magnifying' means to make great, exalt, or proclaim the greatness of someone or something, often in praise or worship.