An Outline Of Acts 9:36-43

Introduction: Peter had come to Lydda and apparently stayed there after Aeneas had been healed (Acts 9:32-35). Peter was still there when two men from Joppa came to him and asked him to come to Joppa. Once he arrived, Peter found out why he was asked to come there and was able to perform another miracle.

1 A summary of Tabitha/Dorcas’ life and ministry

Text, Acts 9:36-37, KJV: 36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. 37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.

--We don’t know much about Tabitha/Dorcas, except that she was a disciple (the most important thing) and that she was “full of good works and almsdeeds which she did”. Verse 39 states that she made coats and garments, perhaps she did other things as well that are not mentioned.

--We also know she was sick and died but we don’t know why or what caused this.

--Note the differences between how her body was treated and how the bodies of others were treated. There were some people (‘they”) who washed her body and laid her body in an upper chamber. For whatever, non-specified reason, her body was not buried on the same day she died. Compare this with the rapid burial of Ananias’ and Sapphira’s bodies in Acts 5, and of Stephen’s body which was buried on the same day he was stoned to death (Acts 7).

2 A summary of Peter’s journey and arrival

Text, Acts 9:38-39, KJV: 38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

--Joppa was on the Mediterranean Sea, one of the few harbors or seaports along this section of the coast. Caesarea was several miles away and farther north. The distance between Joppa and Lydda was about 10 miles, probably a day’s walk for Peter and any people going along with him.

--The two men who were sent to find Peter probably went as fast as they could. Tabitha/Dorcas was already dead, her body was still lying “in state” and would probably begin to decay quickly, and it was anybody’s guess how long it would take to find Peter and convince him to go with them to Joppa.

--When Peter did arrive in Joppa, note first that “they (maybe the two who had been sent to find him) brought him into the upper chamber”; then:the widows showed him the various garments she had made. But that wasn’t all Peter saw in the upper chamber.

3 A summary of Tabitha’s resurrection

Text, Acts 9:40-42, KJV: 40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. 42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

--Note the similarity between this event and the raising of Jairus’ daughter in the Gospels (Matthew 9:23-26, Mark 5:22-24, 35-43, Luke 8:41-56). Jesus was asked to come and heal the girl, but was delayed on the way there. The girl died but Jesus said “she’s only sleeping”. This made the mourners and possibly others laugh—admittedly, they had seen plenty of deaths and knew the girl was dead. Jesus put everyone outside except Peter, James, John, and Jairus and his wife. Jesus took the little girl’s hand and said, “Little girl, get up!” And she did! Now Peter puts everyone out of the upper chamber before he does anything else.

--The next thing Peter did was to kneel down (one of many postures when praying; the significance of this at this time is not apparent). Then he prayed. The words of his prayer are not recorded. One wonders if he said anything aloud or simply prayed silently.

--Now see that it was after he had prayed that he turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, arise!” He couldn’t possibly have done this on his own—this was the power of God at work in their presence there in Joppa.

--Peter then presented her—Tabitha/Dorcas—alive!—to the saints and widows. The result? Many people believed in the Lord!