36 At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. 37 But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38 And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41 Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. 43 So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner.
Commentary
Vs. 36 “At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did.”
Now Joppa was a seaport city on the Mediterranean coast (and considered a part of the Sharon plains region), and there were disciples there, and notably there was a certain disciple there named Tabitha, the Greek translation of her name renders it as Dorcas. Now the Scripture marks her as a Godly woman, for she was full of good works and deeds that she did.
Vs. 37-38 37 But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38 And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them.
However, in those days Tabitha became sick and soon died from her ailment and so the disciples washed her and laid her in an upper room. For they had heard Peter was in Lydda, and since Lydda was near Joppa, they must have hoped that he would come to them, and so they sent two men to him imploring him not to delay but to come immediately.
Vs. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.
Peter then upon hearing this does delay but goes with the men and they bring him to the place in the upper room where Tabitha was laid. Now there were in the room all the widows there weeping for her and showing him all the tunics and garments that she had made for them while she was with them.
Vs. 40 But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.
However, before Peter could do anything, he needed to put them all out of room, (which itself harkens back to when Peter himself saw Jesus restore a young girl to life, Mark 5:38-43, vs. 40). Now in doing so one can imagine that he did so in a gentle manner while consoling them as best he could. That done and the room now quieted Peter knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. Now one can only imagine what they both felt as Tabitha was restored to life and she saw Peters face for the first time.
Vs. 41 Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive.
When Tabitha sat up on the bed Peter gave her his hand and lifted her up to help her get to her feet. Then he called the saints and widows there (i.e., all the beloved brethren who had been mourning for her) and he presented her alive to them!
Vs. 42-43 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. 43 So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner.
This mighty work of the Lord through the apostle Peter then became known throughout all of Joppa and many believed on the Lord. Now Peter himself stayed many days in Joppa after this, as there would’ve now been many new believers there to disciple. The Lord’s work then in doing such a miraculous and merciful deed is never for vainglorious or monetary reasons, but only so that He might reveal and magnify Himself to those who will believe in Him, who not seeing Him, yet believe in Him. And so, it was while Peter was there in Joppa that he stayed with a man named Simon who was a tanner (vs. 43). Thus, Peter did not seek to stay in the homes of the rich and mighty, but rather he chose to dwell with the common working people.
Scripture Quotations
New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson.
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