Dorcas Restored to Life

36 In Joppa(A) there was a disciple named Tabitha (which is translated Dorcas). She was always doing good works(B) and acts of charity. 37 About that time she became sick and died. After washing her, they placed her in a room upstairs. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples heard that Peter was there and sent two men to him who urged him, “Don’t delay in coming with us.” 39 Peter got up and went with them. When he arrived, they led him to the room upstairs. And all the widows approached him, weeping and showing him the robes and clothes that Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40 Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down, prayed, and turning toward the body said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up.(C) 41 He gave her his hand and helped her stand up. He called the saints and widows and presented her alive. 42 This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 Peter stayed for some time in Joppa with Simon,(D) a leather tanner.

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Dorcas Raised

36 Now in Joppa there was a certain female disciple named[a] Tabitha (which translated means “Dorcas”).[b] She was full of good deeds and charitable giving which she was constantly doing.[c] 37 Now it happened that in those days after[d] becoming sick, she died. And after[e] washing her,[f] they placed her in an upstairs room. 38 And because[g] Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, when they[h] heard that Peter was in Lydda,[i] sent two men to him, urging, “Do not delay to come to us!” 39 So Peter got up and[j] accompanied them. When he[k] arrived, they brought him[l] up to the upstairs room, and all the widows came to him, weeping and showing him[m] tunics and other clothing that Dorcas used to make while she[n] was with them. 40 But Peter sent them all outside, and, falling to his[o] knees, he prayed. And turning toward the body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” And she opened her eyes, and when she[p] saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand and[q] raised her up. And he called the saints and the widows and[r] presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 And it happened that he stayed many days in Joppa with a certain Simon, a tanner.[s]

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 9:36 Literally “by name”
  2. Acts 9:36 “Dorcas” is the Greek translation of the Aramaic name “Tabitha” which means “deer” or “gazelle”
  3. Acts 9:36 *Here the imperfect verb is translated as a customary imperfect (“was constantly doing”)
  4. Acts 9:37 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“becoming sick”) which is understood as temporal
  5. Acts 9:37 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“washing”) which is understood as temporal
  6. Acts 9:37 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  7. Acts 9:38 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was”) which is understood as causal
  8. Acts 9:38 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal
  9. Acts 9:38 Literally “in it”
  10. Acts 9:39 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“got up”) has been translated as a finite verb
  11. Acts 9:39 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“arrived”) which is understood as temporal
  12. Acts 9:39 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  13. Acts 9:39 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  14. Acts 9:39 Here “while” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was”) which is understood as temporal
  15. Acts 9:40 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  16. Acts 9:40 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal
  17. Acts 9:41 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“gave”) has been translated as a finite verb
  18. Acts 9:41 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“called”) has been translated as a finite verb
  19. Acts 9:43 Or “with a certain Simon Berseus”; most modern English versions treat the word as Simon’s profession (“Simon the tanner”), but the word may actually be a surname (“Simon Berseus” or “Simon Tanner”)