Chapter
Verse

Acts 11:12

ESV And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man 's house.
NIV The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house.
NASB And the Spirit told me to go with them without misgivings. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house.
CSB The Spirit told me to accompany them with no doubts at all. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we went into the man’s house.
NLT The Holy Spirit told me to go with them and not to worry that they were Gentiles. These six brothers here accompanied me, and we soon entered the home of the man who had sent for us.
KJV And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:
NKJV Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house.

What does Acts 11:12 mean?

By this time, the Jewish leaders of the church in Jerusalem must be on the edge of their seats. Ultra-legalistic Jesus-followers have charged Peter with the "crime" of eating with Gentiles (Acts 11:2). At that point in history, the church may follow Jesus, but they were still Jews who worshipped a Jewish Messiah and, so far as they know, the Mosaic law still stands in full effect.

Peter has told them how God sent him a vision when he was praying on the rooftop of a tanner named Simon in Joppa. The vision explained that the laws about what foods are allowed has been rescinded. The moment the vision ended, three men from Caesarea Maritima, thirty-five miles north, arrived and requested Peter return with them to the home of a centurion named Cornelius. It's possible Peter worried Jesus' prophecy about Peter's crucifixion is about to come true (John 21:18–19). But the Holy Spirit tells Peter to go without quibbling or delaying (Acts 10:9–23).

Jewish Jesus-followers from Joppa came with Peter and witnessed what happened (Acts 10:45). Fortunately, they came to Jerusalem, as well. In Jewish law, two witnesses are required for testimony to be considered proved; Peter didn't seem to come with anyone from Jerusalem in this trip. Having the six from Joppa with him gives credibility to his story.
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