John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. He saw in a vision evidently , etc.] He was not in a dream, or in a trance, but he was thoroughly awake, and his eyes open, and was himself; it was not in the night, but in clear day: about the ninth hour of the day ; or three oclock in the afternoon, which was the hour of prayer, ( Acts 3:1) in which exercise he was now engaged, ( Acts 10:30) at this time he saw an angel of God coming to him ; into the room where he was at prayer: and saying unto him, Cornelius ; he called him by his name, to let him know that he knew him, as angels are very knowing spirits; and to express his affection and friendship to him, and that he was a messenger, not of bad, but of good news to him; as well as to engage his attention to him; for he might be so intent at his devotion, that had he not called him by name, he would not have minded him.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - Hitherto none had been baptized into the Christian church but Jews Samaritans, and those converts who had been circumcised and observe the ceremonial law; but now the Gentiles were to be called to partak all the privileges of God's people, without first becoming Jews. Pur and undefiled religion is sometimes found where we least expect it Wherever the fear of God rules in the heart, it will appear both i works of charity and of piety, neither will excuse from the other Doubtless Cornelius had true faith in God's word, as far as he understood it, though not as yet clear faith in Christ. This was the work of the Spirit of God, through the mediation of Jesus, even befor Cornelius knew him, as is the case with us all when we, who before wer dead in sin, are made alive. Through Christ also his prayers and alm were accepted, which otherwise would have been rejected. Withou dispute or delay Cornelius was obedient to the heavenly vision. In the affairs of our souls, let us not lose time.
Greek Textus Receptus
ειδεν 1492 5627 V-2AAI-3S εν 1722 PREP οραματι 3705 N-DSN φανερως 5320 ADV ωσει 5616 ADV ωραν 5610 N-ASF εννατην 1766 A-ASF της 3588 T-GSF ημερας 2250 N-GSF αγγελον 32 N-ASM του 3588 T-GSM θεου 2316 N-GSM εισελθοντα 1525 5631 V-2AAP-ASM προς 4314 PREP αυτον 846 P-ASM και 2532 CONJ ειποντα 2036 5631 V-2AAP-ASM αυτω 846 P-DSM κορνηλιε 2883 N-VSM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
3. A vision. See on ch. viii. 31.Evidently (fanerwv). Better, clearly or distinctly, as opposed to a fancy.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
10:3 {Coming in} (eiselqonta). Ingressive second aorist active participle, not present. So punctiliar, "saw come," not "saw coming." So also "say" or "speak," not "saying." Luke repeats the account of this vision to Cornelius twice (#10:30; 11:13) and also the story of the vision to Peter (#10:1-16,28; 11:5).
