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 question 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. (Whichnwould have been the case on the tanke cloth of Peter's vision). Hence God's statement there: don't call what I have created clean as common. God was giving Peter an object leason about 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 Gentiles common or unclean. Acts 10 was not at all about food, but about people - the Gentiles and God's plans.

According to the Torah, the concept of Gentiles being inherently "unclean" was a later development and a common Jewish belief and TRADITION, rather than a direct Torah commandment. While some Jewish sources state that Gentiles are ritually impure due to their practices, the biblical texts themselves do not forbid association with them but rather promote kindness to them. The idea of Gentiles being unclean was a prevailing taboo, not a divine law, and its origin was rooted in customs meant to separate Jewish people from other nations. Just as clean animals in proximity to unclean animalsdid NOT make the clean animals common or impure as God was showing Peter with the rooftop vision. Same with Jews being in proximity with Gentiles did  kt make the Jews common or  unclean - hence God's object lesson to Peter through his vision had EVERYTHING to do with God teaching Peter that being with Gentiles did not "contaminate" or any other Jew. It was NOT about making all foods clean. God made two types of animals, clean and unclean. Clean animals or clean humans being profaned or  being common with unclean animals or humans was dispelled in Acts 10. God's decrees about food  was not reversed here or in Mark 7, inspite of  the non-textual insertion at the end of Mark 7:19. This verse in the original text DOES NOT say "thus all doods are declared clean".

[garee]

I would offer.

Ceremonial laws shadows of the unseen eternal. Used as a parables hiding the gospel unseen eternal from the father of lies

Un-clean like a she Ass it must be redeemed by a lamb a clean animal or break its neck.

The gospel a sign to the unbelieving world that God is not served by the hands as a will of dying mankind

Again teaching God is not served by the hands of mankind .He can send an Ass as a apostles with words of prophecy. a Ass as a unbeliever .

We can preach he alone is the one good teaching master

Numbers 22:28 And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?

[Rella]

I would disagree Rella. Peter saw only 2 kinds of animals on the cloth, common and unclean. The question 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. (Whichnwould have been the case on the tanke cloth of Peter's vision). Hence God's statement there: don't call what I have created clean as common. God was giving Peter an object leason about 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 Gentiles common or unclean. Acts 10 was not at all about food, but about people - the Gentiles and God's plans.

According to the Torah, the concept of Gentiles being inherently "unclean" was a later development and a common Jewish belief and TRADITION, rather than a direct Torah commandment. While some Jewish sources state that Gentiles are ritually impure due to their practices, the biblical texts themselves do not forbid association with them but rather promote kindness to them. The idea of Gentiles being unclean was a prevailing taboo, not a divine law, and its origin was rooted in customs meant to separate Jewish people from other nations. Just as clean animals in proximity to unclean animalsdid NOT make the clean animals common or impure as God was showing Peter with the rooftop vision. Same with Jews being in proximity with Gentiles did  kt make the Jews common or  unclean - hence God's object lesson to Peter through his vision had EVERYTHING to do with God teaching Peter that being with Gentiles did not "contaminate" or any other Jew. It was NOT about making all foods clean. God made two types of animals, clean and unclean. Clean animals or clean humans being profaned or  being common with unclean animals or humans was dispelled in Acts 10. God's decrees about food  was not reversed here or in Mark 7, inspite of  the non-textual insertion at the end of Mark 7:19. This verse in the original text DOES NOT say "thus all foods are declared clean".

Ok, Jaime....

You definitely have the better explanation 

[Jaime]

You can't kid a kidder!  I don't think many if any will agree witb me.

[Rella]

You can't kid a kidder!  I don't think many if any any will agree witb me.

Look son... I am older then you.... if I want to agree with you I will.

I just need a broadened mindset to incorporate additional "studies".
on subjects I am not overly familiar.

[Jaime]