Book of Acts - Chapter 10 - Verse 6

When the apostle Peter was visited by a vision from God, he was told to go to the home of a man named Simon, who was a tanner living by the sea. This instruction was significant because Simon was a tanner, a profession that was traditionally seen as unclean by the Jewish people. By instructing Peter to visit Simon, God was challenging Peter to overcome his cultural biases and prejudices. This verse is a reminder that God's ways are not our ways, and He often works through unexpected people and situations to accomplish His divine purposes. It serves as a lesson in obedience and humility, as Peter was called to set aside his preconceived notions and trust in God's leading. By following God's instruction to visit Simon, Peter was able to witness the power and grace of God at work in unexpected places.

Having a theological interpretation of the verse which mentions Simon, a tanner, lodging with him, brings to light the significance of this encounter in the context of the early Christian church. Tanners were considered unclean by Jewish law due to their handling of dead animals, which made their dwelling places impure. By choosing to stay at the house of a tanner, Peter’s actions signify a departure from the rigid purity laws of the Old Testament. This symbolizes a shift towards inclusivity in the new Christian community, where all are welcome regardless of their past occupations or societal status. Furthermore, the mention of Simon being located by the sea side could have deeper theological implications. The sea is often used symbolically in the Bible to represent chaos, the unknown, and the Gentile world. By staying with Simon by the sea, Peter is stepping out of his comfort zone and embracing the mission of spreading the gospel to all people, including the Gentiles. This verse also highlights the theme of divine guidance in the early church, as Peter is instructed that Simon will tell him what he ought to do. This emphasizes the importance of listening to the direction of the Holy Spirit and being open to learning from unexpected sources.