CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Acts 10:11 He saw heaven open and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/acts/10-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/44_Act_10_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Acts 10:11 - Peter's Vision" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="He saw heaven open and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/acts/10-11.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/acts/10-11.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/acts/">Acts</a> > <a href="/acts/10.htm">Chapter 10</a> > Verse 11</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad11.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/acts/10-10.htm" title="Acts 10:10">◄</a> Acts 10:11 <a href="/acts/10-12.htm" title="Acts 10:12">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/acts/10.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/acts/10.htm">New International Version</a> He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. <a href="/nlt/acts/10.htm">New Living Translation</a> He saw the sky open, and something like a large sheet was let down by its four corners. <a href="/esv/acts/10.htm">English Standard Version</a> and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. <a href="/bsb/acts/10.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> He saw heaven open and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. <a href="/blb/acts/10.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> and he beholds heaven opening, and a certain vessel as a great sheet descending, being let down upon the earth by four corners, <a href="/kjv/acts/10.htm">King James Bible</a> And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: <a href="/nkjv/acts/10.htm">New King James Version</a> and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. <a href="/nasb_/acts/10.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> and he saw the sky opened up, and an object like a great sheet coming down, lowered by four corners to the ground, <a href="/nasb/acts/10.htm">NASB 1995</a> and he saw the sky opened up, and an object like a great sheet coming down, lowered by four corners to the ground, <a href="/nasb77/acts/10.htm">NASB 1977 </a> and he beheld the sky opened up, and a certain object like a great sheet coming down, lowered by four corners to the ground, <a href="/lsb/acts/10.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> and saw heaven opened up, and an object like a great sheet coming down, lowered by four corners to the ground, <a href="/amp/acts/10.htm">Amplified Bible</a> and he saw the sky opened up, and an object like a great sheet descending, lowered by its four corners to the earth, <a href="/csb/acts/10.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> He saw heaven opened and an object that resembled a large sheet coming down, being lowered by its four corners to the earth. <a href="/hcsb/acts/10.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> He saw heaven opened and an object that resembled a large sheet coming down, being lowered by its four corners to the earth. <a href="/asv/acts/10.htm">American Standard Version</a> and he beholdeth the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet, let down by four corners upon the earth: <a href="/cev/acts/10.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> He saw heaven open, and something came down like a huge sheet held up by its four corners. <a href="/erv/acts/10.htm">English Revised Version</a> and he beholdeth the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet, let down by four corners upon the earth: <a href="/gwt/acts/10.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> He saw the sky open and something like a large linen sheet being lowered by its four corners to the ground. <a href="/gnt/acts/10.htm">Good News Translation</a> He saw heaven opened and something coming down that looked like a large sheet being lowered by its four corners to the earth. <a href="/isv/acts/10.htm">International Standard Version</a> and saw heaven open and something like a large linen sheet coming down, being lowered by its four corners to the ground. <a href="/msb/acts/10.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> He saw heaven open and something like a large sheet being let down to earth to him, bound at its four corners. <a href="/net/acts/10.htm">NET Bible</a> He saw heaven opened and an object something like a large sheet descending, being let down to earth by its four corners. <a href="/nheb/acts/10.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> He saw heaven opened and a certain container descending to him, like a great sheet let down by four corners on the earth, <a href="/wbt/acts/10.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending to him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: <a href="/wey/acts/10.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> The sky had opened to his view, and what seemed to be an enormous sail was descending, being let down to the earth by ropes at the four corners. <a href="/web/acts/10.htm">World English Bible</a> He saw heaven opened and a certain container descending to him, like a great sheet let down by four corners on the earth, <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/acts/10.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and he beholds Heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending to him, as a great sheet, bound at the four corners, and let down on the earth, <a href="/blb/acts/10.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> and he beholds heaven opening, and a certain vessel as a great sheet descending, being let down upon the earth by four corners, <a href="/ylt/acts/10.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and he doth behold the heaven opened, and descending unto him a certain vessel, as a great sheet, bound at the four corners, and let down upon the earth, <a href="/slt/acts/10.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he sees heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as a great linen napkin fastened at the four beginnings, and laid down upon the earth:<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/acts/10.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And he saw the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending, as it were a great linen sheet let down by the four corners from heaven to the earth: <a href="/cpdv/acts/10.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And he saw heaven opened, and a certain container descending, as if a great linen sheet were let down, by its four corners, from heaven to earth, <a href="/nabre/acts/10.htm">New American Bible</a> He saw heaven opened and something resembling a large sheet coming down, lowered to the ground by its four corners. <a href="/nrsvce/acts/10.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> He saw the heaven opened and something like a large sheet coming down, being lowered to the ground by its four corners.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/acts/10.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And he saw the sky open and something fastened at the four corners, resembling a large linen cloth, was let down from heaven to the earth: <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/10.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And he saw Heaven as it was opened, and a garment which was tied at the four corners like a great linen, and it was descending from Heaven to The Earth,<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/acts/10.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> and he saw heaven opened, and some vessel, like a great sheet, descending, bound by the four corners, and let down to the earth. <a href="/godbey/acts/10.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> and he saw the heaven open, and a certain vessel like a great sheet came down, and resting upon the earth with four rope ends: <a href="/haweis/acts/10.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And he saw heaven opened, and there descended to him a certain vessel, as a great sheet with chains at the four corners, and resting upon the earth: <a href="/mace/acts/10.htm">Mace New Testament</a> when he saw the heaven open, and something descending in the form of a great sheet, ty'd at the four corners, and let down to the earth: <a href="/wey/acts/10.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> The sky had opened to his view, and what seemed to be an enormous sail was descending, being let down to the earth by ropes at the four corners. <a href="/worrell/acts/10.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> and he beholds the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending, as a great sheet, let down by four corners upon the earth; <a href="/worsley/acts/10.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> and some thing descending to him, like a great sheet tied at the four corners, and let down to the earth: <a href="/parallel/acts/10-11.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=3168" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/acts/10.htm">Peter's Vision</a> …10He became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/2334.htm" title="2334: theōrei (V-PIA-3S) -- From a derivative of theaomai; to be a spectator of, i.e. Discern, (experience) or intensively (acknowledge).">He saw</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3772.htm" title="3772: ouranon (N-AMS) -- Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.">heaven</a> <a href="/greek/455.htm" title="455: aneōgmenon (V-RPM/P-AMS) -- To open. From ana and oigo; to open up.">open</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/5100.htm" title="5100: ti (IPro-ANS) -- Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.">something</a> <a href="/greek/4632.htm" title="4632: skeuos (N-ANS) -- A vessel, implement, equipment or apparatus (specially, a wife as contributing to the usefulness of the husband)."></a> <a href="/greek/5613.htm" title="5613: hōs (Adv) -- Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.">like</a> <a href="/greek/3173.htm" title="3173: megalēn (Adj-AFS) -- Large, great, in the widest sense. ">a large</a> <a href="/greek/3607.htm" title="3607: othonēn (N-AFS) -- A linen cloth, a sheet, sail. Of uncertain affinity; a linen cloth, i.e. a sail.">sheet</a> <a href="/greek/2597.htm" title="2597: katabainon (V-PPA-ANS) -- To go down, come down, either from the sky or from higher land, descend. From kata and the base of basis; to descend."></a> <a href="/greek/2524.htm" title="2524: kathiemenon (V-PPM/P-ANS) -- To send, let down, lower. From kata; and hiemi; to lower.">being let down</a> <a href="/greek/1909.htm" title="1909: epi (Prep) -- On, to, against, on the basis of, at. ">to</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1093.htm" title="1093: gēs (N-GFS) -- Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.">earth</a> <a href="/greek/5064.htm" title="5064: tessarsin (Adj-DFP) -- Four. Or neuter tessara a plural number; four.">by its four</a> <a href="/greek/746.htm" title="746: archais (N-DFP) -- From archomai; a commencement, or chief.">corners.</a> 12It contained all kinds of four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth, as well as birds of the air.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/28-12.htm">Genesis 28:12</a> And Jacob had a dream about a ladder that rested on the earth with its top reaching up to heaven, and God’s angels were going up and down the ladder. <a href="/ezekiel/1-1.htm">Ezekiel 1:1</a> In the thirtieth year, on the fifth day of the fourth month, while I was among the exiles by the River Kebar, the heavens opened and I saw visions of God. <a href="/revelation/4-1.htm">Revelation 4:1</a> After this I looked and saw a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had previously heard speak to me like a trumpet was saying, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after these things.” <a href="/john/1-51.htm">John 1:51</a> Then He declared, “Truly, truly, I tell you, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” <a href="/matthew/3-16.htm">Matthew 3:16</a> As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him. <a href="/isaiah/64-1.htm">Isaiah 64:1</a> If only You would rend the heavens and come down, so that mountains would quake at Your presence, <a href="/ezekiel/11-1.htm">Ezekiel 11:1</a> Then the Spirit lifted me up and brought me to the gate of the house of the LORD that faces east. And there at the entrance of the gate were twenty-five men. Among them I saw Jaazaniah son of Azzur and Pelatiah son of Benaiah, who were leaders of the people. <a href="/revelation/19-11.htm">Revelation 19:11</a> Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war. <a href="/2_corinthians/12-2.htm">2 Corinthians 12:2</a> I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows. <a href="/genesis/7-11.htm">Genesis 7:11</a> In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, on the seventeenth day of the second month, all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. <a href="/matthew/17-5.htm">Matthew 17:5</a> While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” <a href="/daniel/7-13.htm">Daniel 7:13</a> In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. <a href="/revelation/21-2.htm">Revelation 21:2</a> I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. <a href="/genesis/9-13.htm">Genesis 9:13-14</a> I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. / Whenever I form clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, <a href="/psalms/78-23.htm">Psalm 78:23</a> Yet He commanded the clouds above and opened the doors of the heavens.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending on him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:saw.<a href="/acts/7-56.htm">Acts 7:56</a> And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.<a href="/ezekiel/1-1.htm">Ezekiel 1:1</a> Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.<a href="/luke/3-21.htm">Luke 3:21</a> Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,and a.<a href="/genesis/49-10.htm">Genesis 49:10</a> The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.<a href="/isaiah/11-6.htm">Isaiah 11:6-14</a> The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them… <a href="/isaiah/19-23.htm">Isaiah 19:23-25</a> In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians… vessel.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/20-14.htm">Beholdeth</a> <a href="/john/20-14.htm">Beholds</a> <a href="/john/20-7.htm">Cloth</a> <a href="/luke/8-16.htm">Container</a> <a href="/matthew/22-9.htm">Corners</a> <a href="/john/1-51.htm">Descending</a> <a href="/acts/9-8.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/revelation/12-3.htm">Enormous</a> <a href="/acts/7-6.htm">Four</a> <a href="/acts/9-16.htm">Great</a> <a href="/acts/9-3.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/acts/7-56.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-14.htm">Knit</a> <a href="/luke/5-19.htm">Lowered</a> <a href="/john/15-18.htm">Object</a> <a href="/acts/9-40.htm">Opened</a> <a href="/ezekiel/4-8.htm">Ropes</a> <a href="/luke/8-23.htm">Sail</a> <a href="/acts/9-18.htm">Seemed</a> <a href="/luke/23-53.htm">Sheet</a> <a href="/acts/9-3.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/acts/9-15.htm">Vessel</a> <a href="/acts/2-38.htm">View</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/james/1-24.htm">Beholdeth</a> <a href="/numbers/12-8.htm">Beholds</a> <a href="/hebrews/1-12.htm">Cloth</a> <a href="/acts/11-5.htm">Container</a> <a href="/acts/11-5.htm">Corners</a> <a href="/acts/11-5.htm">Descending</a> <a href="/acts/10-12.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/acts/11-5.htm">Enormous</a> <a href="/acts/10-30.htm">Four</a> <a href="/acts/10-27.htm">Great</a> <a href="/acts/10-12.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/romans/10-6.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-16.htm">Knit</a> <a href="/acts/11-5.htm">Lowered</a> <a href="/acts/10-16.htm">Object</a> <a href="/acts/10-34.htm">Opened</a> <a href="/acts/27-17.htm">Ropes</a> <a href="/acts/10-16.htm">Sail</a> <a href="/acts/11-5.htm">Seemed</a> <a href="/acts/10-16.htm">Sheet</a> <a href="/acts/10-12.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/acts/10-16.htm">Vessel</a> <a href="/acts/21-3.htm">View</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 10</div>1. <a href="/acts/10-1.htm">Cornelius, a devout man, being commanded by an angel, sends for Peter,</a> 11. <a href="/acts/10-11.htm">who by a vision is taught not to despise the Gentiles;</a> 17. <a href="/acts/10-17.htm">and is commanded by the Spirit to go with the messenger to Caesarea.</a> 25. <a href="/acts/10-25.htm">Cornelius shows the occasion of his sending for him.</a> 34. <a href="/acts/10-34.htm">As he preaches Christ to Cornelius and his company,</a> 44. <a href="/acts/10-44.htm">the Holy Spirit falls on them, and they are baptized.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/10.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/acts/10.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>He saw heaven open This phrase indicates a divine revelation, a common biblical motif where God reveals His will or truth to a chosen individual. The opening of heaven signifies a direct communication from God, similar to instances in <a href="/ezekiel/1.htm">Ezekiel 1:1</a> and <a href="/matthew/3-16.htm">Matthew 3:16</a>. It underscores the importance of the vision and the authority of the message being conveyed. The opening of heaven often precedes significant divine interventions or revelations, emphasizing the supernatural origin of the vision.and something like a large sheet The imagery of a large sheet suggests a vessel or container, symbolizing the inclusivity of God's message. The sheet's size indicates the vastness of the vision's scope, possibly representing the entire world or all of creation. This vision challenges Jewish dietary laws and cultural boundaries, foreshadowing the inclusion of Gentiles into the Christian faith. The sheet can be seen as a type of the church, encompassing all believers regardless of ethnic or cultural background.being let down to earth The descent of the sheet from heaven to earth signifies the bridging of divine and human realms. It illustrates God's initiative in reaching out to humanity, emphasizing that the message is not of human origin but divinely ordained. This act of letting down symbolizes God's grace and the extension of His covenant to all people, aligning with the Great Commission in <a href="/matthew/28-19.htm">Matthew 28:19-20</a>.by its four corners The mention of four corners suggests universality, as the number four often represents the entirety of the earth (e.g., four winds, four corners of the earth). This detail highlights the global scope of the vision, indicating that the message is for all nations and peoples. It reflects the prophetic vision of <a href="/isaiah/49-6.htm">Isaiah 49:6</a>, where God's salvation is extended to the ends of the earth. The four corners can also symbolize the completeness and perfection of God's plan, as seen in the four living creatures in <a href="/revelation/4-6.htm">Revelation 4:6-8</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/peter.htm">Peter</a> The apostle who is the central figure in this vision. He is staying in Joppa at the house of Simon the tanner. 2. <a href="/topical/h/heaven.htm">Heaven</a> The realm of God, which opens to reveal the vision to Peter, symbolizing divine revelation. 3. <a href="/topical/l/large_sheet.htm">Large Sheet</a> The object in Peter's vision, symbolizing the inclusion of Gentiles into the Christian faith. 4. <a href="/topical/f/four_corners.htm">Four Corners</a> Represents the entirety of the earth, indicating the universal scope of the Gospel. 5. <a href="/topical/j/joppa.htm">Joppa</a> The city where Peter is staying, significant as a place of transition and revelation.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/d/divine_revelation.htm">Divine Revelation</a> God reveals His will through visions and dreams, emphasizing the importance of being open to His guidance. <a href="/topical/i/inclusivity_of_the_gospel.htm">Inclusivity of the Gospel</a> The vision signifies that the Gospel is for all people, breaking down ethnic and cultural barriers. <a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_call.htm">Obedience to God's Call</a> Peter's willingness to accept and act on the vision demonstrates the importance of obedience in the Christian life. <a href="/topical/t/transformation_of_understanding.htm">Transformation of Understanding</a> The vision challenges Peter's preconceived notions, illustrating how God can transform our understanding of His purposes. <a href="/topical/u/unity_in_diversity.htm">Unity in Diversity</a> The four corners of the sheet symbolize the unity of believers from all parts of the world, encouraging us to embrace diversity within the body of Christ.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_acts_10.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Acts 10</a> <a href="/q/peter's_visions_of_heaven_and_hell.htm">What visions of heaven and hell does Peter experience?</a> <a href="/q/why_is_beef_consumption_controversial.htm">Why is beef consumption considered controversial or problematic?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_acts_10_contradict_leviticus_11.htm">If Leviticus 11 is God's eternal command, why does Acts 10:9-16 appear to contradict these dietary laws?</a> <a href="/q/does_peter's_vision_contradict_leviticus_11.htm">Acts 10:9-16 - Does Peter's vision about eating unclean animals contradict Leviticus 11 and God's previous dietary laws?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/acts/10.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(11) A certain vessel descending . . .--The form of the vision corresponded, as has just been said, with the bodily condition of the Apostle. Its inward meaning may fairly be thought of as corresponding to his prayer. One who looked out from Joppa upon the waters of the Great Sea towards the far-off Isles of the Gentiles, might well seek to know by what process and under what conditions those who dwelt in them would be brought within the fold of which he was one of the chief appointed shepherds. The place, we may add, could not fail to recall the memory of the great prophet who had taken ship from thence, and who was conspicuous alike as a preacher of a gospel of repentance to the Gentiles, and, in our Lord's own teaching, as a type of the Resurrection (<a href="/context/matthew/12-40.htm" title="For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.">Matthew 12:40-41</a>). The Apostle was to be taught, as the prophet had been of old, that the thoughts of God were not as his thoughts (<a href="/context/jonah/4-10.htm" title="Then said the LORD, You have had pity on the gourd, for the which you have not labored, neither made it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night:">Jonah 4:10-11</a>).A great sheet knit at the four corners.--Better, bound by four ends--i.e., those of the ropes by which it seemed to Peter's gaze to be let down from the opened firmament. The Greek word, literally beginnings, is used as we use "ends."<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/10.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 11. - He beholdeth the for saw, A.V. ; descending for descending unto him, A.V. and T.R.; were for had been, A.V.; let down by four corners upon the earth for knit at the four corners and let down to the earth, A.V. and T.R. The vessel coming down from the open heavens implied that the command to eat what was contained in it was given by revelation. The things sent were from God, and the command to eat was from God. Peter's hunger had prepared the way for the particular form of the vision. <a href="/commentaries/acts/10-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>He saw θεωρεῖ (theōrei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2334.htm">Strong's 2334: </a> From a derivative of theaomai; to be a spectator of, i.e. Discern, (experience) or intensively (acknowledge). heaven οὐρανὸν (ouranon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3772.htm">Strong's 3772: </a> Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel. open ἀνεῳγμένον (aneōgmenon) Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_455.htm">Strong's 455: </a> To open. From ana and oigo; to open up. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. something τι (ti) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5100.htm">Strong's 5100: </a> Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object. like ὡς (hōs) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_5613.htm">Strong's 5613: </a> Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner. a large μεγάλην (megalēn) Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3173.htm">Strong's 3173: </a> Large, great, in the widest sense. sheet ὀθόνην (othonēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3607.htm">Strong's 3607: </a> A linen cloth, a sheet, sail. Of uncertain affinity; a linen cloth, i.e. a sail. being let down καθιέμενον (kathiemenon) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2524.htm">Strong's 2524: </a> To send, let down, lower. From kata; and hiemi; to lower. to ἐπὶ (epi) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1909.htm">Strong's 1909: </a> On, to, against, on the basis of, at. earth γῆς (gēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1093.htm">Strong's 1093: </a> Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe. by its four τέσσαρσιν (tessarsin) Adjective - Dative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5064.htm">Strong's 5064: </a> Four. Or neuter tessara a plural number; four. corners. ἀρχαῖς (archais) Noun - Dative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_746.htm">Strong's 746: </a> From archomai; a commencement, or chief. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/10-11.htm">Acts 10:11 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/acts/10-11.htm">Acts 10:11 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/acts/10-11.htm">Acts 10:11 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/acts/10-11.htm">Acts 10:11 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/acts/10-11.htm">Acts 10:11 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/10-11.htm">Acts 10:11 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/10-11.htm">Acts 10:11 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/10-11.htm">Acts 10:11 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/acts/10-11.htm">Acts 10:11 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/acts/10-11.htm">Acts 10:11 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/acts/10-11.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 10:11 He saw heaven opened and a certain (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/10-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 10:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 10:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/10-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 10:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 10:12" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>