On this verse see 10.9-11. From heaven is not explicitly mentioned in the earlier account, though it is implied by the statement that heaven opened (10.11). In many languages a distinction must be made between “sky” and the spiritual world or abode of God. In this context both seem to be involved, though in view of the details of the vision most translators employ “sky” if a choice must be made.

The equivalent of the verb stopped must not suggest something which would normally move horizontally and possibly under its own power, but only that the large sheet which was being lowered from heaven “stopped being lowered,” “was no longer lowered,” or “ceased being lowered.” The Greek text reads “came near to me.”

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 .