Acts 9:36-43

Expanded Bible

Peter Heals Tabitha

³⁶ In the city of Joppa [^Con the Mediterranean coast, 35 miles northwest of Jerusalem; present-day Jaffa] there was a ·follower [disciple] named Tabitha (whose Greek name was Dorcas [^Cboth mean “gazelle”]). She was always doing good deeds and ·kind acts [acts of charity; ^Lgiving alms]. ³⁷ ·While Peter was in Lydda [^LIn those days], Tabitha became sick and died. Her body was washed [^Ca custom of preparation for burial] and put in a room upstairs. ³⁸ Since Lydda is near Joppa and the ·followers [disciples] in Joppa heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two ·messengers [^Lmen] to Peter. They begged him, “Hurry, please come to us!” ³⁹ So Peter got ·ready [^Lup] and went with them. When he arrived, they took him to the upstairs room where all the widows stood around Peter, crying. They showed him the ·shirts [tunics] and coats [clothing; garments; robes] ·Tabitha [^LDorcas] had made when she was ·still alive [^Lwith them]. ⁴⁰ Peter sent everyone out of the room and kneeled and prayed. Then he turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, stand up.” She opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. ⁴¹ He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then he called the believers and the widows into the room and showed them that Tabitha was alive. ⁴² People everywhere in Joppa learned about this, and many believed in the Lord. ⁴³ Peter stayed in Joppa for many days with a man named Simon who was a tanner [or Simon Byrseus; ^CByrseus means “tanner” (someone who works with animal skins), but could be a name or an occupation; the occupation was considered unclean by Jews since it involved the bodies of dead animals].