KJV: 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:
YLT: 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,
Darby: and he beholds the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending, as a great sheet, bound by the four corners and let down to the earth;
ASV: 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:
| θεωρεῖ | he beholds |
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Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular Root: θεωρέω Sense: to be a spectator, look at, behold. |
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| τὸν | - |
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Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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| οὐρανὸν | heaven |
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Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular Root: οὐρανός Sense: the vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible in it. |
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| ἀνεῳγμένον | opening |
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Parse: Verb, Perfect Participle Middle or Passive, Accusative Masculine Singular Root: ἀνοίγω Sense: to open. |
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| καταβαῖνον | descending |
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Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Accusative Neuter Singular Root: καταβαίνω Sense: to go down, come down, descend. |
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| σκεῦός | a vessel |
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Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular Root: σκεῦος Sense: a vessel. |
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| τι | certain |
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Parse: Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Singular Root: τὶς Sense: a certain, a certain one. |
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| ὀθόνην | a sheet |
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Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular Root: ὀθόνη Sense: linen (i. |
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| μεγάλην | great |
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Parse: Adjective, Accusative Feminine Singular Root: μέγας Sense: great. |
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| τέσσαρσιν | by four |
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Parse: Adjective, Dative Feminine Plural Root: τέσσαρες Sense: four. |
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| ἀρχαῖς | corners |
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Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Plural Root: ἀρχή Sense: beginning, origin. |
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| καθιέμενον | being let down |
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Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Accusative Neuter Singular Root: καθίημι Sense: to send down, to let down. |
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| ἐπὶ | upon |
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Parse: Preposition Root: ἐπί Sense: upon, on, at, by, before. |
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| γῆς | earth |
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Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular Root: γῆ Sense: arable land. |
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Greek Commentary for Acts 10:11
Vivid historical present and change from past time. [source]
Descending (katabainon). Present active participle describing the process. Sheet Old word for linen cloth and only here in the N.T. Accusative case in apposition with skeuos (vessel). Let down (Kathiemenon). Present passive participle of Kathiēmi Old verb, but in the N.T. only here and Luke 5:19; Acts 9:25. Linear action here picturing the process, “being let down.” By four corners Instrumental case of archē beginning. We say “end” or extremity for this use of the word. The picture is the sheet held up by four cords to which the sheet is fastened. Isaiah 11:12 had said that Israel would be gathered from the four corners of the earth. Knowling follows Hobart in taking the four corners of the sheet to be a medical phrase for bandage (the end of a bandage). [source]
Present active participle describing the process. [source]
Old word for linen cloth and only here in the N.T. Accusative case in apposition with skeuos (vessel). Let down (Kathiemenon). Present passive participle of Kathiēmi Old verb, but in the N.T. only here and Luke 5:19; Acts 9:25. Linear action here picturing the process, “being let down.” By four corners Instrumental case of archē beginning. We say “end” or extremity for this use of the word. The picture is the sheet held up by four cords to which the sheet is fastened. Isaiah 11:12 had said that Israel would be gathered from the four corners of the earth. Knowling follows Hobart in taking the four corners of the sheet to be a medical phrase for bandage (the end of a bandage). [source]
Present passive participle of Kathiēmi Old verb, but in the N.T. only here and Luke 5:19; Acts 9:25. Linear action here picturing the process, “being let down.” [source]
Instrumental case of archē beginning. We say “end” or extremity for this use of the word. The picture is the sheet held up by four cords to which the sheet is fastened. Isaiah 11:12 had said that Israel would be gathered from the four corners of the earth. Knowling follows Hobart in taking the four corners of the sheet to be a medical phrase for bandage (the end of a bandage). [source]
Rev., better, and more literally, beholdeth. See on Luke 10:18. The present tense is graphically introduced into the narrative. [source]
The best texts omit. [source]
Only here and Acts 11:5. Originally fine linen; later, sail-cloth or a sail. Dr. J. Rawson Lumby suggests that the word, “applied to loose, bellying sails of ships,” may indicate that the form of vessel which appeared to Peter “recalled an image most familiar to his previous life - the wind-stretched canvas of the craft on the Lake of Galilee” (“Expositor,” iii., 272). [source]
If this is retained, we must render bound, or attached; but the best texts omit, together with the following and. Render, as Rev., let down by four corners. Compare Acts 11:5. [source]
Lit., beginnings; the extremity or corner, marking a beginning of the sheet. “We are to imagine the vessel, looking like a colossal four-cornered linen cloth letting itself down, while the corners attached to heaven to support the whole.” The word is used in this sense by Herodotus, describing the sacrifices of the Scythians. The victim's forefeet are bound with a cord, “and the person who is about to offer, taking his station behind the victim, pulls the end ( ἀρχὴν )of the rope, and thereby throws the animal down” (iv., 60). The suggestion of ropes holding the corners of the sheet (Alford, and, cautiously, Farrar) is unwarranted by the usage of the word. It was the technical expression in medical language for the ends of bandages. The word for sheet in this passage was also the technical term for a bandage, as was the kindred word ὀθόνιον , used of the linen bandages in which the Lord's body was swathed. See Luke 24:12; John 19:40; John 20:5, John 20:6, John 20:7. Mr. Hobart says: “We have thus in this passage a technical medical phrase - the ends of a bandage - used for the ends of a sheet, which hardly any one except a medical man would think of employing” (“Medical Language of St. Luke”). [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 10:11
Lit., his vessels. So Wyc. Compare Mark 11:16; Acts 9:15; Acts 10:11; 2 Timothy 2:20. The special object of the robber may be precious vessels of gold or silver; but the word is probably used in its general sense of household gear. [source]
Here agreeing with the “sheet” (οτονην othonēn feminine), not with “vessel” (σκευος skeuos neuter) as in Acts 10:11. [source]
Omit and. Principalities which are authorities. Ἁρχή beginning= that which begins: the leader, principality. See on Colossians 1:16; see on Judges 1:6; see on Acts 10:11. Only here in Pastorals. Ἑξουσία rightauthority. See on Mark 2:10; see on John 1:12; see on Colossians 1:16. Only here in Pastorals. For the combination principalities and powers, see on Luke 20:20. [source]
The word originally signifies beginning, and so frequently in New Testament, mostly in the Gospels, Acts, Hebrews, Catholic Epistles, and Apocalypse. From this comes a secondary meaning of sovereignty, dominion, magistracy, as being the beginning or first place of power. So mostly by Paul, as principalities (Romans 8:38); rule (1 Corinthians 15:24). Compare Luke 12:11, magistrates; Rev., rulers; and Luke 20:20, power. Rev., rule. A peculiar use of the word occurs at Acts 10:11, “the sheet knit at the four corners ( ἀρχαῖς );” the corners being the beginnings of the sheet. In this passage the A. V. has adopted the first meaning, beginning, in its rendering first estate. Rev. adopts the second, rendering principality. The Jews regarded the angels as having dominion over earthly creatures; and the angels are often spoken of in the New Testament as ἀρχαί , principalities; as Romans 8:38; Ephesians 1:21; so that this term would be appropriate to designate their dignity, which they forsook. [source]
First aorist active participle with negative μη mē with play on “kept not” and “he hath kept.”Principality (αρχην archēn). Literally, “beginning,” “rule,” (first place of power as in 1 Corinthians 15:24; Romans 8:38). In Acts 10:11 it is used for “corners” (beginnings) of the sheet. In Ephesians 6:12 the word is used for evil angels. See Deuteronomy 32:8. Both Enoch and Philo (and Milton) discuss the fallen angels.But left Second aorist active participle of απολειπω apoleipō old verb, to leave behind (2 Timothy 4:13, 2 Timothy 4:20).Their own proper habitation (το ιδιον οικητηριον to idion oikētērion). Old word for dwelling-place (from οικητηρ oikētēr dweller at home, from οικος oikos), in N.T. only here and 2 Corinthians 5:2 (the body as the abode of the spirit).In everlasting bonds Either locative (in) or instrumental (by, with). Αιδιος Aidios (from αει aei always), old adjective, in N.T. only here and Romans 1:20 (of God‘s power and deity). It is synonymous with αιωνιος aiōnios (Matthew 25:46). Mayor terms αιδιος aidios an Aristotelian word, while αιωνιος aiōnios is Platonic.Under darkness (υπο ζοπον hupo zophon). See 2 Peter 2:4 for ζοπος zophos In Wisdom 17:2 we find δεσμιοι σκοτους desmioi skotous (prisoners of darkness).Great Not in 2 Peter 2:9, which see note for discussion. [source]
Literally, “beginning,” “rule,” (first place of power as in 1 Corinthians 15:24; Romans 8:38). In Acts 10:11 it is used for “corners” (beginnings) of the sheet. In Ephesians 6:12 the word is used for evil angels. See Deuteronomy 32:8. Both Enoch and Philo (and Milton) discuss the fallen angels. [source]
Compare Ezekiel 1:1; Matthew 3:16; Acts 7:56; Acts 10:11. In all these heaven itself is opened. [source]