Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "doubting nothing" doesn't just mean to not be confused; it's a command to actively set aside any internal debates or distinctions, particularly the one between Jew and Gentile, that would prevent obedience. The Spirit is telling Peter to trust His divine guidance completely, even when the path ahead seems unclear or goes against his ingrained cultural understanding.
Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter is in a state of deep confusion after a perplexing vision, and just as he’s pondering its meaning, three men sent by Cornelius arrive. The Holy Spirit immediately speaks to Peter, commanding him to go with these Gentile messengers without any hesitation because the Spirit Himself has orchestrated this entire divine appointment.
Peter had just experienced a mind-bending vision. Now, the Holy Spirit speaks directly, but Peter is still wrestling with what it all means. How does God guide us when we're confused?
Immediate Obedience
Peter is still trying to figure out the vision when the Spirit gives a new directive: "Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them." This isn't a suggestion; it's a command for immediate action.
Trusting the Divine Sender
The crucial phrase is "doubting nothing, for I have sent them." This is the antidote to Peter's confusion. The Spirit isn't asking Peter to understand everything yet. The instruction is to trust the source of the message. God Himself has dispatched these men, and that's enough reason for obedience, even if the full picture isn't clear.
This highlights a key aspect of faith: sometimes, God calls us to move forward based on His authority, not our complete understanding. It's about resting in the knowledge that He is in control and He has a purpose, even when we can't see the whole map.
Peter's hesitation wasn't just about a confusing vision; it was rooted in deeply ingrained cultural and religious boundaries. What does 'doubting nothing' really mean in the face of tradition?
Beyond Jewish Scruples
Commentators note that Peter's "doubting" likely included anxieties about associating with Gentiles. Jewish law and custom created a significant barrier between Jews and non-Jews. The men sent by Cornelius were Gentiles, and Peter's world would have taught him to keep his distance.
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A New Understanding of Purity
The command to go "doubting nothing" means letting go of these preconceived notions and societal divisions. It's about recognizing that God's mission transcends human-made barriers. The Holy Spirit's instruction is a direct challenge to Peter's ingrained prejudices, guiding him toward a broader, more inclusive understanding of God's love and kingdom.
Understand the original words
diakrinō · Greek Verb
To doubt, hesitate, or make a distinction; in a biblical context, it often refers to wavering in faith or failing to recognize God’s purpose due to internal or external biases.
This command from the Holy Spirit to Peter breaks down barriers that had existed for centuries, showing that God's message of salvation is for everyone, regardless of their background. It highlights the Spirit's direct guidance in expanding the early church beyond its Jewish roots.
c. 30-33 AD
Jesus' Ministry and Ascension
The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus marked a pivotal moment. His ascension signified the start of the early church and the coming of the Holy Spirit.
c. 33 AD
Pentecost and the Holy Spirit's Coming
The Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples in Jerusalem, empowering them to preach the gospel. This event is seen as the birth of the Christian church.
c. 34-35 AD
Stephen's Martyrdom
Stephen, one of the early deacons, was stoned to death. This event triggered a wave of persecution that scattered believers throughout Judea and Samaria.
c. 35 AD
Saul's Persecution and Conversion
Saul of Tarsus actively persecuted the church, but on the road to Damascus, he had a dramatic encounter with the risen Christ and became a follower.
c. 37-40 AD
Cornelius' Vision
Cornelius, a Roman centurion in Caesarea, a devout Gentile, received a vision from an angel instructing him to send for Peter.
c. 37-40 AD— this verse
Peter's Vision and the Call
While praying on a rooftop in Joppa, Peter had a vision of animals and heard the Holy Spirit instruct him to go with the messengers sent by Cornelius, without hesitation. This was a divine signal that God was opening the gospel to Gentiles.
c. 40 AD
Preaching to Cornelius and his Household
Peter traveled to Caesarea, preached the gospel to Cornelius and his family, and the Holy Spirit fell upon them, leading to their baptism. This marked a major turning point in the early church's mission.
This passage highlights a similar situation where Jesus asks Peter to trust His actions even when he doesn't fully understand, echoing the command to 'doubt nothing' in Acts 10:20.
Romans 4:19-21It describes Abraham's unwavering faith in God's promise despite his age, illustrating the 'doubting nothing' attitude commanded of Peter as the obedience of faith.
James 1:6This verse speaks of asking God in faith without wavering, which connects to Peter's command to go 'doubting nothing,' emphasizing the need for a steady trust in God's guidance.
Matthew 7:7Jesus' instruction to 'ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you' parallels how Peter's earnest pondering of the vision (knocking) led to the Spirit's direct instruction and opening of understanding.
John 16:13This verse describes the Holy Spirit guiding believers into all truth, which directly relates to Peter's experience where the Spirit provided direction step-by-step as needed.
bengelActs 10:20: "Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them."
Acts 10:20 . Μηδὲν διακρινόμενος , nothing doubting ) A requisite in the highest decree necessary in the case of a good action. Often long-continued doubt is suddenly, when need requires, taken away in life or at death.
ellicottActs 10:20: "Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them."
(20) Go with them, doubting nothing. —The command was specially addressed to the perplexed questionings of the disciple. For a time he was to walk, as it were, blindfold, but trusting in the full assurance of faith in the Hand that was guiding him. As once before ( John 13:7 ), he knew not yet what his Lord was doing, but was to know hereafter. He and the messengers from Cornelius were al…
The phrase "doubting nothing" doesn't just mean to not be confused; it's a command to actively set aside any internal debates or distinctions, particularly the one between Jew and Gentile, that would prevent obedience. The Spirit is telling Peter to trust His divine guidance completely, even when the path ahead seems unclear or goes against his ingrained cultural understanding.
Peter is in a state of deep confusion after a perplexing vision, and just as he’s pondering its meaning, three men sent by Cornelius arrive. The Holy Spirit immediately speaks to Peter, commanding him to go with these Gentile messengers without any hesitation because the Spirit Himself has orchestrated this entire divine appointment.
Peter is in a state of deep confusion after a perplexing vision, and just as he’s pondering its meaning, three men sent by Cornelius arrive. The Holy Spirit immediately speaks to Peter, commanding him to go with these Gentile messengers without any hesitation because the Spirit Himself has orchestrated this entire divine appointment.
"Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.”" — The phrase "doubting nothing" doesn't just mean to not be confused; it's a command to actively set aside any internal debates or distinctions, particularly the one between Jew and Gentile, that wou…
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Last reviewed October 2026