Why didn’t Peter just kill and eat a clean animal in Acts 10

[Jaime]

I've always wondered why Peter didn't just eat one of the clean animals on the cloth that came down in his vision on the rooftop in Acts 10?

10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,

11 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:

12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.

14 ¶ But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

[Rella]

I've always wondered why Peter didn't just eat one of the clean animals on the cloth that came down in his vision on the rooftop in Acts 10?

10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,

11 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:

12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.

14 ¶ But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

Ai~ Peter refused to kill and eat any animal, including clean ones, because he was adhering to Jewish dietary laws that prohibited him from consuming unclean animals. His vision was meant to convey a deeper message about accepting Gentiles, not about changing dietary restrictions.



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Peter refused to kill and eat any animal, including clean ones, because he was adhering to Jewish dietary laws that prohibited him from consuming unclean animals. His vision was meant to convey a deeper message about accepting Gentiles, not about changing dietary restrictions.
 theos.org Wikipedia

Peter's Vision in Acts 10
Context of the Vision
In Acts 10, Peter receives a vision from God while he is praying. He sees a sheet filled with various animals, including unclean ones, and is commanded to "kill and eat." However, Peter refuses, stating he has never eaten anything unclean. This refusal highlights his adherence to Jewish dietary laws.

Significance of Peter's Refusal
Peter's refusal to eat unclean animals is significant for several reasons:

Cultural and Religious Identity: As a devout Jew, Peter followed the Mosaic dietary laws, which classified certain animals as unclean. His refusal reflects his commitment to these laws and his identity as a Jew.
Understanding of the Vision: Peter was perplexed by the vision and did not initially understand its meaning. He was not simply being asked to eat a clean animal; the vision was meant to convey a deeper message about accepting Gentiles into the faith.
The Deeper Meaning
The vision ultimately serves as a metaphor. God uses the imagery of unclean animals to teach Peter that he should not call any person unclean or common. This revelation prepares Peter to accept Gentiles, like Cornelius, into the Christian community, breaking down the barriers that separated Jews from non-Jews.

In summary, Peter's refusal to kill and eat a clean animal was rooted in his understanding of Jewish law and the deeper message of the vision regarding inclusivity in the faith.

While I am not an Ai devotee their conciseness sometimes makes a reasonable point.

T

[Jaime]

I would disagree Rella. Peter saw only 2 kinds of animals on the cloth, common and unclean. The wuestion is what are common animals? In my research common animals to a Jew of that day were clean animals that were defiled by proximity or touching unclean animals. Hence God's statement there: don't call what I have created clean as common. god was giving Oeter an object leason aboit PEOPLE. God never created the gentiles as unclean or common (profaned) he was showing Peter in no uncertain terms that God didn't consider Gentiles as common or unclean even though the traditions or perverted  oral traditions of the Jews were in error considering the Jews common or unclean. Acts 10 was not at all about food, but about people - the Gentiles and God's plans.