Acts 10:26

Modern

But Peter helped him up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”

Traditional

But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

Literal

But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Rise up, I myself am also a man.”

Latin

Petrus vero elevavit eum, dicens: Surge: et ego ipse homo sum.

Greek

English

But Peter helped him up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”

Cornelius … fell at his feet to worship him: This act was probably more than just bowing to an important person of rank. The Bible says worship is for God alone (see 14:11–17; Exodus 20:3; Deuteronomy 5:7; Matthew 22:37–38; Mark 12:29–30; Luke 10:27; 1 Corinthians 10:14; Colossians 3:5; 1 Peter 4:3; 1 John 5:21; Revelation 4:10; 9:20; 22:8–9).

Peter was just a fellow human being whom Cornelius should not worship.

Theme notes and profiles

Revelation 19:10
So I fell at his feet to worship him. But he told me, “Do not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who rely on the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
Revelation 22:8–9
And I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had shown me these things.
Matthew 4:10
“Away from Me, Satan!” Jesus told him. “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’”
Acts 14:14–15
But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul found out about this, they tore their clothes and rushed into the crowd, shouting,
Isaiah 42:8
I am the LORD; that is My name! I will not yield My glory to another or My praise to idols.
Isaiah 48:13
Surely My own hand founded the earth, and My right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they stand up together.
Revelation 13:8
And all who dwell on the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written from the foundation of the world in the Book of Life belonging to the Lamb who was slain.
2 Thessalonians 2:3–4
Let no one deceive you in any way, for it will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness—the son of destruction—is revealed.

Peter: Apostle of Jesus, leader in the early church