Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
Beholdeth (qewrei). Vivid historical present and change from past time.
Opened (anewgmenon, perfect passive participle with double reduplication, state of completion).
Descending (katabainon). Present active participle describing the process.
Sheet (oqonhn). Old word for linen cloth and only here in the N.T. Accusative case in apposition with skeuov (vessel).
Let down (Kaqiemenon). Present passive participle of Kaqihmi. Old verb, but in the N.T. only here and Luke 5:19; Acts 9:25. Linear action here picturing the process, "being let down."
By four corners (tessarsin arxaiv). Instrumental case of arxh, beginning. We say "end" or extremity for this use of the word. The picture is the sheet held up by four cords to which the sheet is fastened. Isaiah 11:12 had said that Israel would be gathered from the four corners of the earth. Knowling follows Hobart in taking the four corners of the sheet to be a medical phrase for bandage (the end of a bandage).
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing Acts 10:11:
John 12:22
Acts 11:5
Jude 1:6
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