The transition between paragraphs is made possible by the reference to the vision which has just been seen.

The meaning of this vision may be rendered as “what this vision was trying to say,” “what God was trying to say by means of this vision,” or “what God was trying to teach by means of this vision.”

The phrase in the meantime also serves as a transitional device and represents the particle translated suddenly in 1.10. The literal translation of this portion of verse 17 is “but as Peter wondered to himself … behold the men sent by Cornelius.” “Behold” must be taken in connection with “as” to indicate that both actions were taking place simultaneously: that is, Peter was wondering at the same moment that the men sent by Cornelius were standing in front of the gate.

The verb translated learned means “to learn by inquiry.” Compare “had been asking the way to Simon’s house, and now arrived at the entrance” (New English Bible).

The word gate when applied to a house indicates the gateway leading to the inner court. (In 12.13-14 the same Greek word is translated door.)

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .