The Jewish Annotated New Testament (240 page)

10.1
–33: Peter and Cornelius.
Visions, angelic messengers, and heavenly voices underscore the point that God has directed the conversion of Gentiles.

1
:
Caesarea
, see 8.40.
Centurion of the Italian Cohort
, an officer in the Roman army, who, along with other centurions, would have led a group of several hundred soldiers.

2
:
Devout
, adheres to Jewish ideas and practices. See also Lk 7.1–10; Acts 13.16,26; 16.14; 17.4,12; 18.7.

3
:
Three o’clock
, see 3.1.
Vision
, see 9.10.
Angel
, see 5.19; 8.26; 12.7; 27.23.

4
:
Lord
, see 9.5n.
Ascended as a memorial
, language frequently used of sacrifice (Lev 2.2; 5.12; 6.15; Sir 38.11).

9
:
Noon
, not a typical time for prayer; meals might be served then (
b. Shabb
. 10a).

13
–15
:
Voice
, the divine presence is heard, not seen, but the communication is important; see 9.4,11.

14
:
Profane or unclean
, Peter affirms his adherence to Jewish dietary practices (Lev 11 and Deut 14).

19
:
Spirit
, on communication by the Spirit, see 1.16; 2.4; 6.10; 13.2; 16.6; 21.11; 28.5.

22
:
Well spoken of
, similar description of Gamaliel (5.34).

28
:
Unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to visit a Gentile
, fear of committing idolatry and desire to avoid prohibited foods required care in how Jews associated with Gentiles. Peter’s statement, however, is rarely reflected in Jewish writings (cf.
Jub
. 22.16), but represents a common perspective among Gentiles (e.g., Philo,
Spec
.
Laws
2.167; Tacitus,
Hist
. 5.1–13). Actual practice among Jews would not have supported this view, as for instance the existence of a “Court of the Gentiles” at the Temple would indicate.
Not call anyone profane
, Peter applies his vision of animals to human associations.

30
:
Dazzling clothes
, attribute of angelic being (Lk 24.4; Rev 19.8).

34
–43: Peter’s speech.
The speech summarizes major themes in Acts: Jesus is the prophesied anointed one and Lord (2.36; 4.33; 8.16; 15.11; 16.31; 19.5; 28.31); his death has been vindicated by God (2.24,32; 3.15; 4.10; 5.30; 13.30); the apostles are chosen witnesses to proclaim Jesus (1.8; 2.32; 3.15; 13.31; 23.11; 26.16); all experience forgiveness of sins through believing in Jesus (2.38; 5.31; 13.38; 26.18).

34
:
No partiality
, God’s quality of judging impartially, regardless of status or wealth (Deut 10.17–18; Sir 35.12–13), now extends to ethnic distinctions between Jews and Gentiles (cf. Rom 2.11).

35
:
Fears him
, Ps 15.1–2; Cornelius models this description, vv. 2,22. Fearing God and doing right echo the Jewish teaching that two most important actions are loving God (Deut 6) and one’s neighbor (Lev 19) (e.g.,
T. Dan
5.3; Philo,
Spec
.
Laws
2.63). To be God’s people is no longer constituted by the ethnic division between Jew and Gentile but by a religious distinction, those who do/do not fear God and do what is right.

36
:
Preaching peace
, the message of reconciliation (2 Cor 5.18–19).
Lord of all
, title of pagan gods (Plutarch,
Is. Os
. 355E), Roman emperors (Epictetus,
Diatr
. 4.1.12), and God (Josh 3.11; Zech 6.5; Ps 97.5; Wis 6.7; 8.3).

39
:
They
, most likely meant as Jews/Jewish leaders who were responsible for the crucifixion (2.23; 3.15; 5.30).
Tree
, the cross (see 5.30; 13.29).

44
–48
: The scene repeats the events of Pentecost: Spirit poured out (2.17–18), speaking in tongues (2.4–11), astonished reaction (2.12), but now offered to Gentiles (v. 45).

44
:
Holy Spirit
, confirming sign of divine favor and transformation, see 1.8; 2.4; 4.31.

11.1
–18: Peter’s report to the “circumcised believers.”
Peter reviews the events that led to the baptism of Cornelius, and the apostles acknowledge that the divine gifts have been extended to Gentiles. Luke often repeats stories, such as Jesus’ ascent into heaven (Lk 24.51; Acts 1.9) or Paul’s reports of his vision of Jesus (9.1–9; 22.4–11; 26.12–18), most likely used as an indication of an important transitional moment.

3
: The objection to Peter’s eating with Gentiles, rather than converting them, reinforces an image of Jewish xenophobia.

5
–9
: Peter repeats the account of his vision, see 10.11–15.

14
:
Household
, the conversion of the head of the household can bring about the conversion of the entire household (16.15,34; 18.8).
Will be saved
, see 4.12.

15
:
Holy Spirit
, see 10.44n.

16
: See 1.5n.

18
:
Repentance
, shown by belief in Jesus.

11.19
–30: The church in Antioch.

19
:
Scattered
, see 8.1.
Phoenicia
, on the Mediterranean coast north of Mount Carmel.
Antioch
, seat of Roman administration in Syria and site of an early largely Gentile church (Gal 2.11–14).

20
:
Cyrene
, important city in North Africa.
Hellenists
, here apparently Greek-speaking Gentiles, rather than Greek-speaking Jews (6.1; 9.29).

22
: Sending representatives from the Jerusalem church (cf. 8.14) sanctions the expansion.

25
:
Tarsus
, see 9.30.

26
:
Christians
, the origin of the name is uncertain, but perhaps a Latin word “partisans of Christ.” The creation of a new name, especially in the account of the first Gentile church, indicates that the church is no longer fully identifiable with Jews.

27
:
Prophets
, recognized role among Jews (Josephus,
J.W
. 1.78–80; 2.112–13,258–63; 6.283–87,300–309; 7.437–50;
Ant
. 14.22–24,172–76; 15.373–79; 17.345–48; 20.97–99,167–72,188) and early Christians (1 Cor 12.28–29; 14.29–37; Eph 4.11).

28
:
Agabus
, see 21.10.
Famine
, while local famines, including in Judea, are known from this time (
Ant
. 20.51–53,101), this report both reflects Lukan hyperbole and portrays Rome as the failed ruler.
Claudius
, Roman emperor 41–54 CE.

30
:
Elders
, Gk “presbyteroi”; church leaders (14.23; 15.2,4,22,23; 16.4; 20.17; 21.18; 1 Tim 4.14; 5.17,19; Titus 1.5; Jas 5.14; Rev 4.4). This title was used in many Jewish communities, including Qumran (1QS 6.8, Heb “zekeinim”).

12.1
–19: Persecution of apostles.

1
:
King Herod
, Agrippa I, grandson of Herod I, who ruled the Herodian kingdom, mainly Judea (under Roman authority) 41–44 CE. Only Acts refers to Agrippa by the name “Herod,” possibly to build continuity with Herod Antipas, who was involved in the deaths of John the Baptist (Lk 3.18–20; 9.7–9) and Jesus (Lk 13.31; 23.6–12; Acts 4.27), and with his grandfather, Herod the Great (37–4 BCE) (Lk 1.5; 3.1). In Jewish tradition, Agrippa is remembered as a fair, generous, and religious observant Jewish ruler (
Ant
. 19.330).

2
.
James, the brother of John
, James the son of Zebedee. Both he and his brother were early disciples of Jesus (Lk 5.10; 6.14).

3
:
Pleased the Jews
, Jews as a whole, not just individuals such as the high priest or groups such as Sadducees, frequently appear in Acts as persecutors of Christians (13.45; 14.2,19; 17.5; 18.12; 20.3; 21.27; 22.30; 23.12; 24.9; 25.2,7; 26.2,21).
Unleavened bread
, Passover, the festival during which Jesus was arrested and executed (Lk 22.1,7).

4
:
Squad
, Gk “stratiōtos,” a small group of soldiers probably consisting of about ten men; the number (forty or so, altogether) emphasizes the impossibility of escape (as do the chains, v. 6).

6
–11: Miraculous release from prison.
See 5.17–21; 16.23–29.

7
:
Angel
, see, for angelic help, 5.19; 27.23; Ex 23.20; 1 Kings 19.5; Dan 3.19–28; 6.22; 2 Macc 11.6.

12
:
John
…
Mark
, 12.25; 15.37.

13
:
Outer gate
, suggesting a large house.

17
:
James
, the brother of Jesus, leader of Jerusalem church (15.13–21; 21.18).

12.20
–25: Death of Herod.
Agrippa I died in 44 CE. According to Josephus (
Ant
. 19.343–52), Agrippa, while presiding over public spectacles in Caesarea, was acclaimed as a god. He accepted the flattery but almost immediately fell ill and died shortly thereafter.

22
: God punishes persons who think themselves equal to a god (Ezek 28.1–10).