And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

And on the morrow they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his kinsmen and his near friends.

And the morrow after, he entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, having called together his kinsmen and special friends.

And on the morrow they came to Caesarea. But Cornelius was looking for them, having called together his kinsmen and his intimate friends.

And on the morrow they entered into Cesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

and on the morrow they did enter into Caesarea; and Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his kindred and near friends,

and the day after that they reached Caesarea. There Cornelius was awaiting their arrival, and had invited all his relatives and intimate friends to be present.

And the day after that, they came to Caesarea. And Cornelius was waiting for them, having got together his relations and his near friends.

And on the next day, he entered Caesarea. And truly, Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his family and closest friends.

and the day following he entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them, and had invited his relatives and intimate friends to meet them.

Cornelius waited for them. Luke doth not only commend the godly affection of Cornelius in this point, that he waited earnestly for Peter's coming, but because he would have his friends and kinsfolks to be companions with him in the faith. This was a thing not without great danger, to call together a company of men, that they might embrace a new kind of religion. And there wanted not reasons, under color whereof he might have flattered [excused] himself; for he was not commanded to call others to accompany him, but rather they were passed over, and he himself was chosen to be made partaker of so great goodness; but he considered with himself how much he was indebted [1] both to the glory of God, and also to the salvation of his brethren. He knew that it was an unjust thing, and a point of discourtesy, to provide for himself alone, and not to regard others. He counted it a point of filthy carelessness [2] to hide the treasure of the gospel under the ground. Therefore, he did that which the Lord requireth of all his by Isaiah and Micah, that every one exhort his brother (taking him as it were by the hand) unto the faith. Therefore, Cornelius hath taught us by his example, that when God revealeth himself unto us we must not choke the light of his knowledge with sloth or fear, but we must rather endeavor that our faith may shine before others to give light, and to show the way to them; for the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven is not such, that even the least portion can be taken from us, if many be made partakers thereof; but if others be made co-heirs with us, it shall rather increase our glory, Furthermore, we must mark how far he is from vainglory; for he calleth them to be his school-fellows, being himself ready to learn. This is the true study of godliness, when as together with zeal there appeareth such plainness, [3] that we are not ashamed to depend upon the mouth of God. For many are pricked forward with ambition, to employ themselves in teaching the ignorant; and foolish babbling discovereth their folly, when as they huddle out words more earnestly, and they would have none heard but themselves. But this alone ought to be the drift of all men, to bring themselves and all the whole world under God, that when men are subdued unto true humility, he alone may have the preeminence. Let not him which excelleth in the faculty and grace of teaching refuse to teach his brethren, so that he be free from boasting, and proud desire to excel. Let him to whom it was not granted to be a teacher keep himself within his bounds. Let neither of them desire mastership, as James teacheth them; but let one so edify another, that neither the learned, neither the unlearned, be ashamed to be brought into order. Notwithstanding, it is demanded, [4] what kinsfolks he could have in Judea, seeing that he was an alien, and was come thither only by reason of war, which continued but for a short time? As I affirm nothing, so I embrace this as most probable, that he had some in his garrison which were his kinsmen; for neighbors, and those which were of acquaintance were wont to serve under one captain. And we need not doubt of this, but that Cornelius' kinsmen were desirous to be under him, forasmuch as he was a centurion. He calleth familiar friends anankaious, as those are called of the Latins, Necessarii, which are nearer together. [5]

Footnotes

1 - "Quantum... deberet," how much he owed.

2 - "Foedae socordiae," shameful sloth.

3 - "Simplicitas," simplicity, singleness of mind.

4 - "Quaeritur tamen," it is asked, however.

5 - "Qui arctiore vinculo inter se conjuncti sunt," who are bound together by a closer tie.

His kinsmen - His relatives, or the connections of his family. A man may often do vast good by calling his kindred and friends to hear the gospel.

His kinsmen and near friends - Συγγενεις, His, relatives, and αναγκαιους φιλους , his necessary friends; but the Syriac makes αναγκαιους an epithet as well as συγγενεις, and thus the passage may be read, his kinsmen, his domestics, and his friends. It appears that he had collected the whole circle of his intimate acquaintance, that they also might profit by a revelation which he expected to come immediately from heaven; and these amounted to many persons; see Acts 10:27.

And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea,.... So that they were one day, and part of another, on their journey:
and Cornelius waited for them; he had an eager desire to hear the word from Peter's mouth; and was longing and looking for the coming of him, with the men he sent for him; and he and his family were in a waiting posture, and ready to hear the word, when the apostle of Christ should come: it would be well if this was always the case of the hearers of the word, to assemble before their ministers come; and be waiting for them, and in full expectation of them, and ready to receive them, and the words of grace which drop from their lips:
and had called together his kinsmen and near friends; or necessary ones: not only his relations according to the flesh, which might be in the Italian band, but his most familiar acquaintance, with whom he was in the strictest friendship; who may be called "necessary", as they are both by the Greeks and Romans, because they are often necessary for assistance and counsel: this shows the true grace of God in him, which wherever it is, puts a man on seeking after the spiritual and eternal welfare of all with whom he is concerned, and especially his relatives and friends.

Cornelius . . . called together his kinsmen and near friends--implying that he had been long enough at CÃ&brvbr;sarea to form relationships there and that he had intimate friends there whose presence he was not ashamed to invite to a religious meeting of the most solemn nature.

And the morrow after. Parts of two days were employed on the journey.
Cornelius . . . had called together his kinsmen and near friends, who were like-minded with himself.

Cornelius was waiting for them - Not engaging himself in any secular business during that solemn time, but being altogether intent on this one thing.