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Epiphany Season · Baptism of the Lord · Year A

Acts 10:34-38

Peter's Sermon in the House of Cornelius

January 11, 2026

St Peter and Cornelius the Centurion, Bernardo Cavallino
St Peter and Cornelius the Centurion, Bernardo Cavallino, 1640sGalleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica, Rome
Peter arrives at the house of the Roman centurion Cornelius, who has gathered his relatives and soldiers; the crowd presses in at the doorway to hear him.Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality … how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.”Bernardo CavallinoA Neapolitan painter of small, intimate, dramatic biblical scenes, who died young in the plague of 1656.Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica, RomeThe Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica in Rome.Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica, Rome
Roman Lectionary
GospelMatt. 3:13-17Mt 3:13-17
Second ReadingActs 10:34-38
First ReadingIsa. 42:1-4, 6-7Is 42:1-4, 6-7
Responsorial PsalmPs. 29:1-2, 3-4, 3b+9b-10 (11b)Ps 29:1-2, 3-4, 3b+9b-10 (11b)

Overview & Insights

"I truly understand that God shows no partiality." (Acts 10:34)

Peter enters the home of Cornelius, a Roman centurion, and declares that God accepts anyone from any nation who fears him and does what is right. He summarizes Jesus' ministry as beginning with John's baptism, God anointing him with the Holy Spirit and power, and Jesus going about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil.

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Commentary

Commentary on Acts 10:34-43 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary commentary on the fuller reading assigned for the Baptism of the Lord, on Peter's declaration that God shows no partiality.

Acts 10:34-43 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed preaching commentary setting Peter's sermon in the context of his rooftop vision that pushed the church past old boundaries.

Acts 10 Commentary: Cornelius, Peter Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse by verse evangelical commentary on Cornelius' household and Peter's proclamation.

Acts 10:34 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregated classic commentary on God's impartiality and Jesus' anointing with the Spirit.

Acts 10 Commentary Precept Austin

Extensive verse by verse study notes on Cornelius' conversion and Peter's sermon.

Sunday After Epiphany (Cycle A): The Baptism of the Lord Agape Bible Study

Catholic study of the Baptism of the Lord Year A readings, tying Peter's sermon to Jesus' own baptism.

Background & Word Study

Acts 10:34 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek word by word parsing of prosopoleptes (partiality) and echrisen (anointed).

Book of Acts Summary (Part 1) BibleProject

Animated overview of Acts 1-12, including Peter's mission to Cornelius.

The Church Fathers

Acts 10 - Catena Bible & Commentaries Catena

Patristic comment chained verse by verse on Peter's sermon to Cornelius' household.

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