Acts 11:7 Meaning and Explanation
“And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A voice from heaven commands Peter: rise, kill, and eat.
What Does Acts 11:7 Mean?
Within the trance a voice addresses Peter by name. The command is short and total — arise, slay, eat — with no sorting of clean from unclean and no list of exceptions. The whole sheet is set before him as food.
God's word here is deliberately disruptive. The voice does not explain first and command after; it commands, and understanding follows obedience. Peter will soon learn that the lesson was never chiefly about food but about people (10:28). The Lord still deals with His servants this way at times — calling them to rise and act before they can see the whole design, and teaching them His heart along the road.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 11:7
What does Acts 11:7 mean?
A voice from heaven commands Peter: rise, kill, and eat.