29 Therefore also I came without complaint when I was sent for. I ask therefore, why did you send for me?"
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
We must also note that which he addeth, that he came without gainsaying, For this is the holy silence of faith, when as without murmuring against God we receive that meekly which he commandeth, abandoning [1] all contrary reasons which intrude themselves.
1 - "Procul abigendo," driving far away.
Without gainsaying - without "saying anything against it"; without hesitation or reluctance.
I ask, therefore - The main design for which Cornelius had sent for him had been mentioned to Peter by the messenger, Acts 10:22. But Peter now desired from his own lips a more particular statement of the considerations which had induced him to send for him.
For what intent - For what purpose or design.
I ask - for what intent ye have sent for me? - Peter had been informed of this by the servants of Cornelius, Acts 10:22; but, as all the company might not have been informed of the circumstances, he, as it were, invites him to tell his story afresh, that his friends, etc., might be the better prepared to receive the truth, which he was about to dispense, in obedience to his Divine commission.
Therefore came I unto you, without gainsaying,.... Readily and cheerfully, without objecting to it, or saying one word against it, or making any excuse to put it off:
as soon as I was sent for: he immediately consented to go, as soon as ever the messengers from Cornelius acquainted him with their message, being previously directed so to do by the Spirit of God; though he did not set out with them till the next day, it being more suitable and convenient:
I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? this he said, not as ignorant of the true cause, for he had inquired of the messengers, who had informed him of the reason of it; but he was willing to have it from the mouth of Cornelius himself; not only for further confirmation's sake, but for order sake, to lead him on regularly to what he had to say.
I ask therefore, &c.--The whole speech is full of dignity, the apostle seeing in the company before him a new brotherhood, into whose devout and inquiring minds he was divinely directed to pour the light of new truth.
I ask for what intent ye have sent for me? - St. Peter knew this already. But he puts Cornelius on telling the story, both that the rest might be informed, and Cornelius himself more impressed by the narration: the repetition of which, even as we read it, gives a new dignity and spirit to Peter's succeeding discourse,
*More commentary available at chapter level.