This happened three times, and all at once the sheet was taken back up into heaven.
16. This was done thrice. The repetition of the vision served for the confirmation of Peter, lest any doubt “Vel anxietas vel scrupulus,” or anxiety or scruple, omitted. should remain in his mind. Whence we gather how deeply the observing of the law was rooted in his mind.
Cornelius had received positive orders from heaven to send for Peter, whom otherwise he had not heard of, or at least not heeded; but here is another difficulty that lies in the way of bringing them together - the question is whether Peter will come to Cornelius when he is sent for; not as if he thought it below him to come at a beck...
Commenting on Acts 10:9-18
This was done thrice,.... That is, either the voice spoke the same words three times, or the sheet was let down three times; and it may be both; it may be, that every time the voice was spoke, the sheet was let down: this was done, not with respect to any mystical meaning in the number three, but for the confirmation of Peter, that he...