Dorcas Restored to Life

36 Now there was in (A)Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas.[a] She was full of (B)good works and acts of charity. 37 In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in (C)an upper room. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, (D)“Please come to us without delay.” 39 So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to (E)the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics[b] and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. 40 But Peter (F)put them all outside, and (G)knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body (H)he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and (I)many believed in the Lord. 43 And he stayed in Joppa for many days (J)with one Simon, a tanner.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 9:36 The Aramaic name Tabitha and the Greek name Dorcas both mean gazelle
  2. Acts 9:39 Greek chiton, a long garment worn under the cloak next to the skin

36 There was a believer in Joppa named Tabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas[a]). She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor. 37 About this time she became ill and died. Her body was washed for burial and laid in an upstairs room. 38 But the believers had heard that Peter was nearby at Lydda, so they sent two men to beg him, “Please come as soon as possible!”

39 So Peter returned with them; and as soon as he arrived, they took him to the upstairs room. The room was filled with widows who were weeping and showing him the coats and other clothes Dorcas had made for them. 40 But Peter asked them all to leave the room; then he knelt and prayed. Turning to the body he said, “Get up, Tabitha.” And she opened her eyes! When she saw Peter, she sat up! 41 He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then he called in the widows and all the believers, and he presented her to them alive.

42 The news spread through the whole town, and many believed in the Lord. 43 And Peter stayed a long time in Joppa, living with Simon, a tanner of hides.

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Footnotes

  1. 9:36 The names Tabitha in Aramaic and Dorcas in Greek both mean “gazelle.”