Acts 10:1

King James Version (KJV)

There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

Translations

Acts 10:1 - Amplified Bible

NOW [living] at Caesarea there was a man whose name was Cornelius, a centurion (captain) of what was known as the Italian Regiment,

Acts 10:1 - American Standard Version

Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

Acts 10:1 - Bible in Basic English

Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, named Cornelius, the captain of the Italian band of the army;

Acts 10:1 - Darby Bible

But a certain man in Caesarea, -- by name Cornelius, a centurion of the band called Italic,

Acts 10:1 - English Standard Version

At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort,

Acts 10:1 - King James Version

There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

Acts 10:1 - La Biblia de las Americas

Habìa en Cesarea un hombre llamado Cornelio, centuriòn de la cohorte (I.e., unidad militar romana compuesta de varias centurias) llamada la Italiana,

Acts 10:1 - The Message

There was a man named Cornelius who lived in Caesarea, captain of the Italian Guard stationed there. He was a thoroughly good man. He had led everyone in his house to live worshipfully before God, was always helping people in need, and had the habit of prayer. One day about three o’clock in the afternoon he had a vision. An angel of God, as real as his next-door neighbor, came in and said, "Cornelius."

Acts 10:1 - New American Standard Bible

Now {there was} a man at Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian (Or {battalion}) cohort,

Acts 10:1 - Nueva Biblia Latinoamericana de Hoy

Habìa en Cesarea un hombre llamado Cornelio, centuriòn de la cohorte (unidad militar Romana) llamada la Italiana,

Acts 10:1 - World English Bible

Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment,

Acts 10:1 - Young's Living Translation

And there was a certain man in Cesarea, by name Cornelius, a centurion from a band called Italian,

Acts 10:1 - Additional Comments

There was a lot of tension and prejudice between Jews and Gentiles (i.e. non-Jews). This is seen in Acts 11:2-3, Acts 22:20-22, John 4:9, Gal 2:11-13. It appears many Jews did not even want Gentiles to come to Christ. Why? The Law was a source of pride and a mark of identity for the Jew. They felt mixing with the Gentiles would taint them, would dirty their devotion to God. (This is one reason why the Samaritans were so disdained, because they were viewed as a mixed race of Jews and Gentiles -- see the notes on John 4:9). Maybe also because they would have to accept them as brothers. Maybe because God has historically clearly shown that they are not to associate with the heathen nations. This was really not because of the people, but because God did not want their false religions to taint the faith of the Jews. (But it did, because many Jews wound up serving false gods. See Judges 2:2-3, Acts 10:28.)
Jesus preached entirely in Jewish cities, in Galilee in the north, and Judea in the south. In Matt 10:5-6, Jesus sent His 12 apostles only to the Jewish cities. In Matt 15:24 Jesus said he was sent only to those from the house of Israel Rom 15:8-9 says Jesus was a servant to the Jews to confirm the promises made to the Father, yet the Gentiles still could glorify God for His mercy. Jesus was sent to the Jews first (Acts 3:26). We see in Matt 15:21-28 (the Canaanite woman) and in John 4:3-43 (the Samaritan woman at the well), Jesus allowed non-Jews to believe in Him. And now in this passage we see where God opened it up beyond that, to all peoples.
In this chapter we see the first time the gospel is presented to non-Jews, and we see a very clear message that God intended the gospel for all people. In fact, it was a surprise to the apostles, and considered a mystery that God had to reveal to them (Eph 3:3-6).
This was an extremely significant event in the history of the church, for this now made the gospel available to all the nations. It was foretold in the Old Testament. See Gen 18:18, Gen 22:18, Psa 72:17.
Cornelius had the privilege of being the firstborn among all Gentiles, once the gospel was available. The apostles didn't even know this until this chapter, because it was a revelation from God.
In Acts 15:1-24, we see that many Jewish Christians, while believing Gentiles could become Christians, still believed these Gentiles needed to be circumcised. In this passage the council in Jerusalem determined that is was not necessary, and send a letter to the churches stating that.

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