And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends.
the morrow.
Acts 10:9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
Caesarea.
Acts 10:32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.
Acts 10:36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
and had.
Isaiah 2:3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Micah 4:2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Zechariah 3:10 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.
where Cornelius was expecting them
Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Regiment, is introduced earlier in Acts 10 as a devout man who feared God. His expectation of Peter's arrival demonstrates his faith and obedience to the angelic vision he received. Cornelius's anticipation reflects the divine orchestration of events, as God prepares both Peter and Cornelius for this pivotal meeting. This encounter marks a significant moment in the early church, as it signifies the opening of the Gospel to the Gentiles.
and had called together his relatives and close friends
Cornelius's action of gathering his relatives and friends indicates his influence and the respect he commanded. It also shows his eagerness to share the message he was about to receive, highlighting the communal aspect of faith in the early church. This gathering prefigures the communal nature of the church, where the message of Christ is shared and experienced collectively. It also underscores the importance of witness and testimony, as Cornelius involves those closest to him in this divine encounter.
“The following day” (Acts 10:24) shows that Peter and the six believers from Joppa acted without delay once the Spirit had spoken (Acts 10:20–21). Immediate obedience marks a life surrendered to God, just as Abraham “rose early” when commanded (Genesis 22:3) and Paul urged, “Now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Every day matters when the gospel is at stake.
“he arrived in Caesarea” (10:24 b). Caesarea was a strategic, largely Gentile port where Philip had already preached (Acts 8:40) and where Paul would later stay (Acts 21:8). Peter’s arrival fulfills Jesus’ blueprint that the good news move “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). The Lord literally guides His servants to the very places He has prepared.
“where Cornelius was expecting them” (10:24 c). Expectation signals faith; Cornelius took the angel’s word at face value (Acts 10:3–7) and waited in confidence, much like the psalmist who prays and then “watches expectantly” (Psalm 5:3). Faith is “the assurance of things hoped for” (Hebrews 11:1), and God honors that assurance by bringing Peter right to Cornelius’ door.
“and had called together his relatives and close friends” (10:24 d). A genuine encounter with God overflows to others:
• Family first—echoing Joshua’s pledge, “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15).
• Friends too—Andrew brought Peter (John 1:41), the Samaritan woman brought her town (John 4:29), and the Philippian jailer gathered his household to hear the word (Acts 16:32).
• Cornelius believes that whatever God will say through Peter is far too important to keep to himself.
Acts 10:24 highlights prompt obedience, strategic mission, expectant faith, and contagious witness. Peter moves swiftly; God’s plan steps into a Gentile center; Cornelius waits in confident trust and invites loved ones to hear. The verse models how believers should act when God speaks—go quickly, believe fully, and include others in the blessing.
(24) His kinsmen and near friends.--These, we may well believe, were, like the soldiers and slaves under his command, more or less in sympathy with Cornelius. He, at all events, was seeking to bring them also within the range of the new illumination which he was expecting to receive.Verse 24. - On the morrow for the morrow after, A.V.; was waiting for waited, A.V.; having called for and had called, A.V.; and his near for and near, A.V. On the morrow. The addition of after in A.V. makes the sense clearer. They entered into Caesarea. A memorable event, being the first invasion of the Roman empire by the soldiers of the cross. His near friends. We have here a proof of the strong faith of Cornelius. He did not doubt the angel's promise (vers. 5 and 6). We see his brotherly love. He invited his friends to come and hear the message of salvation; those whom, as Chrysostom suggests, he had himself brought to a better mind.